How Do We Do This?
We can tell a personal and unique story that only comes from engaging as a learner at Bristol Community College. Data lets us know the good, the bad, and the ugly. We interpret and reflect. We celebrate the practices that deliver effective learning and investigate further those that may fall short of our expectations. We say with confidence that our students will be able to demonstrate skills valued by their industry and skills to shape their identity
It has always been Magielette (Magie) Hudson’s dream to go to college, not just for herself but also to serve as a role model for her six children. In 2021, Magie graduated from Bristol and has transferred to Bryant to pursue her Bachelor's Degree. Listen to Magie's story here.
Building transformative change where we move students from being a repository for information to becoming a self-directed, lifelong learner, engaged as a contributor of social change within and outside of the institution’s community involves a comprehensive assessment program to ensure continuous improvement of educational and program outcomes.
Bristol Community College developed an on-going 6- year assessment cycle for Academic Affairs, Support Services & Enrollment Management and operational departments whose contribution is to the overall community experience and external stakeholders. The 5-year assessment cycle leans heavily on the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education and Academic Program Review best practices. The work was influenced by Lane Community College-Academic Program Review. Each review includes:
- Alignment with Institution Mission & Strategic Objectives
- Resources | Tools to guide Assessment work
- Templates
- Specific deliverables for each year
- Summary reports
- SMART goals
Beyond the 6-year institutional assessment cycle, we provide an Institutional Assessment process for General Education Competency and a robust artifact collection. Bristol is also committed to assessment beyond student learning. Specifically, our operational departments work to assess community needs, utilization of services/facilities, communication/marketing effectiveness, professional development and education in support of strategic objectives and more. These departments utilize a hybrid review model. There are also many assessment projects that contribute to, but are outside of the 6-year institution review practice. Furthermore, the Lash Center for Teaching and Learning plans and executes professional development opportunities to inform faculty, staff, and administration in the advancement of assessment knowledge. Lastly, Strategic Analytics and Institutional Research Office (SAIR) develops and utilizes a variety of data reports to lead and support a range of assessment and planning activities at the institution. SAIR oversees the data portal and provides access to drive evidence-based data decision making.
We are committed to student success and as learners, we continue to ask how we can be better practitioners and scholars.
The learning experience should:
- Result in something a student will discuss with others
- Help a student understand themselves better
- Improve a student's understanding of concepts
- Provide a student with experience that will be professionally useful and has personal value
We keep in mind the value associated with building equitable & inclusive learning spaces which:
- Allow students to express their learning in their own words
- Makes a student feel confident and can succeed
- Includes familiar examples and materials
- Measures a student's true understanding and
- Allows a student to relate class material to their own experiences.