FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Maureen Stokes, PIO
760.252.2411, ext. 7350
(Barstow, Calif. – July 25, 2006) Barstow Community College status was reaffirmed accreditation with five recommendations for improvements and three commendations, as stated by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
An eight-member accreditation team, comprised of college presidents, faculty, and staff from throughout the state, visited the college March 21 – 23, 2006, to review a series of findings based upon the college’s last accreditation in 2000, and the institutional self study report. The self-study consists of the college’s faculty, staff and students evaluating its performance against the standards set forth by the ACCJC. The self study evaluation, turned 320-page self study report, included four standards: 1) institutional mission and effectiveness; 2) student learning programs and services; 3) resources; and 4) leadership and governance. The full process, conducted from November 2004 through January 2006, was broadly inclusive.
The accreditation team, which received and reviewed the self study report in January, 2006, focused on five core areas during its site visit, as well as report information, that included: 1) to determine whether the institution continues to meet accreditation standards; 2) to evaluate how well the college is achieving its stated purposes/mission; 3) to analyze how the college is meeting the commission standards; 4) to provide recommendations for quality assurance and institutional improvement; and 5) to submit recommendations to the ACCJC regarding the accredited status of the college.
"It was a great learning experience as I saw the bigger purpose revealed," states Michelle Henderson, instruction office coordinator. "I truly learned what it is we really do here at the college and for the community as a whole. I’m proud to be a Barstow College employee."
After a review of the accreditation team’s recommendations and review and discussion of the self study report, the ACCJC affirmed the college’s accreditation its June 7 – 9, 2006, meeting. The commission presented the college with five areas for improvement. It was recommended that:
Recommendation 1 - The college improve its planning process by taking a longer range approach to develop a solid future for the college by incorporating community data; developing strategies to acquire the resources necessary for growth, including increased staffing and additional facilities; examining strategic advantages that arise from the collaboration with the military; and advocating for additional instructional space at Ft. Irwin to meet specific student services and curricular needs.
Recommendation 2 - The college develop a plan to address the future online instruction at Barstow Community College. This plan should ensure the integration of the assessment of student learning outcomes into the online environment, include sufficient professional development for full and part-time faculty who teach online, consider the opportunities that are presented by technological advances that go beyond test-based online platforms, and involve the financing of future development of online course support.
Recommendation 3 - The college enhance its commitment to institutional research and data collection, ensuring adequate staff, availability of data across the college, collection of external data, and ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes.
Recommendation 4 - The college advance its progress on student learning outcomes by implementing, at multiple levels, a comprehensive, formalized assessment plan that is grounded in a shared philosophy, involves full and part-time faculty, includes online and face-to-face instruction, fully engages student services in relevant program review, and leads to ongoing improvement of instructional programs and learning support services.
Recommendation 5 - The Board of Trustees and the leadership throughout the college exercise their authority to meet their stated commitment by implementing specific strategies that result in successful hiring of a more diverse faculty and staff.
The accreditation team also presented the college with three commendations at the conclusion of its on site visit. The first was the size, scope and positive outcomes of the work the college has completed since the last comprehensive site visit (2000). The second was for creating a stronger institution with a more collegial climate and active dialogue. Lastly, the campus facilities and overall appearance displays institutional pride with the addition of the Learning Resource Center (LRC), the building’s layout and services that demonstrate Barstow College’s commitment to learning.
A Focused Midterm Report is due to the commission March 15, 2009, and will include an evaluation of the college’s progress with respect to recommendation one, two, four and five.
The college’s accreditation status was reported to the Board of Trustees at the July 13 meeting: "Our accreditation standing would not have been possible if not for the broad participation of the college community," said Fernando Baca, Board of Trustee’s president. "We are very pleased with the commission’s action to reaffirm the college’s accreditation."
The next comprehensive evaluation of the college will occur during spring 2012.
Barstow Community College is located in Southern California’s Mojave Desert, also known as the High Desert, halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas on Interstate 15, and continues to be the fastest growing on-line community college choice in the region.
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