ACCJC Standard: II.B

The institution recruits and admits diverse students who are able to benefit from its programs, consistent with its mission. Student support services address the identified needs of students and enhance a supportive learning environment. The entire student pathway through the institutional experience is characterized by a concern for student access, progress, learning, and success. The institution systematically assesses student support services using student learning outcomes, faculty and staff input, and other appropriate measures in order to improve the effectiveness of these services.

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

•Does the college know where its DE/CE students come from?  Are there state authorization requirements if there are out-of-state students?

 

•How does the institution determine that students admitted to its DE/CE programs are able to benefit from these programs? How is this information taken into consideration in admissions policies and procedures?

•What college-wide discussions have occurred about how student access, progress, learning, and success are consistently supported and how these findings impact of the DE/CE programs? To what extent are students involved in this dialog?

  • •What improvements have been made to the effectiveness of these services? Do the student support services expand as the growth of DE/CE expands?

      

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC

Description:

•Does the college know where its DE/CE students come from?  Are there state authorization requirements if there are out-of-state students?

The vision statement for SBVC acknowledges that most of the students are residents of the Inland Empire.  The Online Program Committee deploys a Student Satisfaction Survey each spring.  The demographic information from that survey indicate that 99% of SBVC's online students live within 50 miles of the campus.  In the last several years, "State Authorization" has come to the attention of the Online Program Committee.  Each semester, the District provides the committee with a list of non-resident students who reside out of state and who are taking only online classes.  In the last four semesters, only one student was identified as fitting those criteria.  And that student was living in Boise, Idaho, a state where an authorization is not triggered merely by the presence of a student taking an online class.  The process for state authorization and its current status are found on the SBVC website. [website--vision statement]  [website--Student Satisfaction Survey] [website--state authorization]

•How does the institution determine that students admitted to its DE/CE programs are able to benefit from these programs? How is this information taken into consideration in admissions policies and procedures?

SBVC has an open admissions policy.  People who "can benefit from instruction," for the most part, are eligible to enroll in classes.  There is no distinction based on mode of delivery.  

•What college-wide discussions have occurred about how student access, progress, learning, and success are consistently supported and how these findings impact of the DE/CE programs? To what extent are students involved in this dialog?

SBVC has a unique history in the development of online learning. As such, the "management structure" is also unique. There is no distinct director or dean of Distance Education at SBVC. The District has an Associate Vice Chancellor of Technology and Educational Support Services. That position provides the support for the infrastructure for online learning. That is, internet connectivity, learning management systems, and software licenses are handled at the District level. Furthermore, the Blackboard Administrator, also a district position, provides extensive professional development and software support at both SBVC and Crafton Hills College. There are campus network administrators at each campus to assist with software related issues. Management support at the campus level is in the office of the Vice President of Instruction. Managerial oversight and clerical support services are provided through that office. The Technology Committee and the Online Program Committee both provide the collegial support for the management and staff. The faculty and administrative co-chairs of the Online Program Committee are key in communicating to the Vice President of Instruction concerns and issues regarding online learning. And the Coordinator of Professional and Organizational Development provides for extensive training opportunities for faculty interested in teaching online. [Link to Professional Development]

 With faculty energy and enthusiasm and collegial encouragement from the Vice President of Instruction and support staff, the online offerings have grown from 2 sections in 1996 to approximately 200 online and hybrid sections in the spring of 2014.   The dialogue about student success, student support, and online learning  in the last 18 years has been robust.  Every spring, the Online Program Committee deploys a Student Satisfaction Survey for online students. This allows students to be a part of the robust dialogue as well. [website--Student Satisfaction Survey]

•What improvements have been made to the effectiveness of these services? Do the student support services expand as the growth of DE/CE expands?

Over the last several years, many of the college's student support services have been made available online. Currently, students can apply to the college, request financial aid information, complete the required orientation, and register for classes through the internet. All students may participate in the online services of the college.  One significant improvement has been the revising of the online orientation for students.  The first version of that online orientation was text-heavy and quite burdensome.  The new version is much more visual and much easier for contemporary students to understand.  This new, more user-friendly version should be available for students in late fall, 2014.

 

Evaluation:

It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education. 

ACCJC Standard: II.B.1

 

1. The institution assures the quality of student support services and demonstrates that these services, regardless of location or means of delivery, support student learning and enhance achievement of the mission of the institution.


ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

•How does the institution identify the needs for support services related to DE/CE programs, and how does it ensure that these needs are addressed? By what means does the institution assure the quality of its student support services for students enrolled in DE/CE programs?

•How does the institution demonstrate that these services support student learning in programs offered in DE/CE? What data can the institution provide that show support of student learning?

•How does the college prepare and monitor DE/CE students to be successful?

 

* Are counseling and other student support services available for DE/CE students?

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC

Description:

•How does the institution identify the needs for support services related to DE/CE programs, and how does it ensure that these needs are addressed? By what means does the institution assure the quality of its student support services for students enrolled in DE/CE programs?

The Online Program committee has an Online Learning Plan.  One of the key components of that plan is "Student Support."  As that plan is evaluated and updated each semester, the committee identifies gaps or needs in student support for DE sections that need to be addressed.  Those needs are communicated to the Technology Committee, the Vice President of Instruction, and, if necessary, to the College Council. [website--online learning plan]

•How does the institution demonstrate that these services support student learning in programs offered in DE/CE? What data can the institution provide that show support of student learning?

Every spring, the Online Program Committee deploys a Student Satisfaction Survey for online students.  There are questions dealing with learning support services at SBVC.  In the last iteration of that survey, less than 5% of online students were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the library support services associated with their online classes.  [website--Student Satisfaction Survey] 

•How does the college prepare and monitor DE/CE students to be successful?

SBVC has created an orientation to online learning titled “Learn to Learn Online.”  That orientation is a Blackboard shell open to anyone and addresses both the “soft skills” necessary for online learning (such as time management) and the technology necessary for specific classes.    The college takes seriously the need to make sure students are prepared to succeed in a distance education environment.   [Link to Orientation to Online Learning]

* Are counseling and other student support services available for DE/CE students?

The college's Writing Center offers free online tutoring for students in all disciplines for courses at the 100 level and above. Students may submit their assignments for review by email. Assignments are read Monday through Thursday and the papers are returned within 24 to 48 hours. Students in many online classes are encouraged to use this online service. [Link to writing center]

Online advisors in Counseling are available to answer questions about majors, courses and requirements. Students can send an email request to the online counselors; replies are given within 3 working days. [Link to counseling services]

Students can order their textbooks online through the SBVC bookstore. [Link to bookstore]

A Central Help Desk is available to all faculty, staff, and students 24/7. This is especially valuable for online students. The Help Desk can be accessed by dialing a toll free number. Students also have access to a knowledge base that deals with the most frequent computer issues. In addition, students have the option, through the help web pages, to request a call back, submit a help ticket online, or engage in a live chat with a service representative over the web. [Link to help desk]

Online students will typically access their classes initial through the “Universal Access Point” (UAP) on the SBVC website.  At the UAP students are directed to information about their particular class, including information about how to prepare for the online environment as well as the minimum technical requirements for online classes.  In addition, SBVC has created an orientation to online learning titled “Learn to Learn Online.”  That orientation is a Blackboard shell open to anyone and addresses both the “soft skills” necessary for online learning (such as time management) and the technology necessary for specific classes.    The college takes seriously the need to make sure students are prepared to succeed in a distance education environment.  [Link to Orientation to Online Learning] [Link to UAP]

SBVC provides assistance to disabled students, whether they are taking online or on campus classes, through the Disabled Student Program and Services (DSPS) Office.A full time “Assistive Technology Specialist” is available to assist students and faculty in order to meet the requirements mandated in the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973.

Assistive technology (AT) has been placed in computer labs throughout campus to ensure accessibility. Further, there is a fully equipped High Tech Center (HTC) for students with disabilities. This HTC makes available for specialized software programs that are unique to individuals with various disabilities. Jaws, Kurzweil 1000, Zoom Text and EasyReader are used for students with vision impairments. WYNN, OpenBook, Kurzweil 3000, Brain Fitness Program, Co:Writer, Math Talk, and Learning Ally are used with students with other disabilities. In addition to the software, the HTC has extensive hardware and equipment available for students with disabilities.  [Link to DSPS]

The course management system (Blackboard) meets ADA requirements and the campus provides faculty trainingon ADA and 508compliance issues. [Link to Blackboard accessibility page]

 There are several Honors courses that have been approved for online delivery (psychology, sociology, philosophy, religious studies, anthropology, economics). A student in the Honors program can complete all the academic requirements of that program by taking online classes.  [Link to honors program] 

As a part of EduStream, the District's the District's video-on-demand service that is utilized by more than 170 colleges across the country, online students can participate in synchronous audio/video tutorials in math, American sign language, and biology. These synchronous sessions are archived, captioned, and maintained as a repository to be used asynchronously by other students at a later time. Other disciplines are being added to this tutorial service as the need arises and as staff time is available. In 2014, this service began the transition to 3CMedia. [website--3CMedia] [Link to EduStream]

Over the last several years, many of the college's student support services have been made available online. Currently, students can apply to the college, request financial aid information, complete the required orientation, and register for classes through the internet. All students may participate in the online services of the college.

The SBVC Library houses a collection of over 70,000 volumes which can be searched through OCLC World Share (WMS) catalog system. This system enables students to search for books, articles and over 120,000 eBooks all at the same time. The SBVC Library also offers access to thousands of online newspapers, magazines, journals, and other materials supporting research in current events and in topics across the curriculum. Students use passwords to access the electronic resources and which are available on Blackboard once they log in. [Link to WMS Catalog]

The Library Computer Lab houses over 120 computers for use by currently enrolled students, and Computer Technicians are available to provide basic technical support to students. Many online students also take classes on campus, and this lab increases the opportunity for those students to participate in their online classes. 

Librarians are available during the day and evening to provide one-on-one reference services and orientation tours and to teach library instruction classes and campus-wide workshops. SBVC’s library participates in a 24/7 Chat Reference Service that connects students to an academic librarian who can assist them with research needs at any time, day or night. [Link to Question Point]

Evaluation:

It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.

ACCJC Standard: II.B.2.a

 

2. The institution provides a catalog for its constituencies with precise, accurate, and current information concerning the following:

a. General Information

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

 How does the institution address issues of academic freedom, student financial aid, and available learning resources as they apply to DE/CE? Are the means applied differently from traditional education? What is the rationale?

 How does the catalog describe the instructional delivery applied in the DE/CE courses, programs, and degree offerings? How does the catalog present the interaction between faculty and students and the accessibility of faculty and staff to students?

 Is the catalog provided in both printed and electronic format?

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC 

Description:

 How does the institution address issues of academic freedom, student financial aid, and available learning resources as they apply to DE/CE? Are the means applied differently from traditional education? What is the rationale?

Regarding the issue of academic freedom, all students are treated in the same way.  There is no distinction between on campus and distance education delivery modes in terms of academic freedom.  The District Policy on academic freedom covers students. [website--Board Policy and Administrative Procedures on Academic Freedom--scroll down to BP 4030 and AP 4030]

Financial aid is the same for all students. No distinction is made based on the mode of delivery of a class. [website--financial aid]

Learning Resources across the campus are shifting to online formats.  This benefits students enrolled in De sections.  For example,  the SBVC Library houses a collection of over 70,000 volumes which can be searched through OCLC World Share (WMS) catalog system. This system enables students to search for books, articles and over 120,000 eBooks all at the same time. The SBVC Library also offers access to thousands of online newspapers, magazines, journals, and other materials supporting research in current events and in topics across the curriculum. Students use passwords to access the electronic resources and which are available on Blackboard once they log in. [Link to WMS Catalog]

 How does the catalog describe the instructional delivery applied in the DE/CE courses, programs, and degree offerings? How does the catalog present the interaction between faculty and students and the accessibility of faculty and staff to students?

"Distributed Education" (equivalent to "Distance Education") is described in the catalogue.  The link to TESS, Technology and Educational Support Services of the San Bernardino Community College District is also provided in the catalog. [website--TESS]  

The Student Handbook provides information about online learning, including the interaction between faculty and students in the online format.  In addition, the self-paced orientation to online learning at SBVC includes units dealing with online interaction and nettiquette [website--Student Handbook for Online Students] [website--Learn to Learn Online]

 Is the catalog provided in both printed and electronic format?

The catalog is provided in both printed and electronic format.  [website--catalog]


Evaluation:

Calendar of Action:

 


Student handbook

ACCJC Standard: II.B.2.b

2. The institution provides a catalog for its constituencies with precise,accurate, and current information concerning the following:

b. Requirements

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

 Are the admission policies and admission requirements the same for traditional programs and for programs offered in DE/CE mode? What is the rationale? How does the institution present the admission requirements related to DE/CE programs?

 Are the fees for DE/CE courses the same as for traditional courses? To what extent are issues related to student fees and other financial obligations addressed in a clear and forthright manner?

 Are there counseling and tutoring services available to DE/CE students?

 How is DE/CE student attendance monitored?

  

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC

Description:

 Are the admission policies and admission requirements the same for traditional programs and for programs offered in DE/CE mode? What is the rationale? How does the institution present the admission requirements related to DE/CE programs?

Admission policies and requirements are no different for students taking classes in the distance education mode.  Admission requirements and policies are found in the college catalog. [website--catalog]

 Are the fees for DE/CE courses the same as for traditional courses? To what extent are issues related to student fees and other financial obligations addressed in a clear and forthright manner?

Student fees are the same for students enrolled in DE sections and students enrolled in on campus sections.  The listing of student fees is found in the college catalog.  [website--catalog]

 Are there counseling and tutoring services available to DE/CE students?

Yes.  Online advisors in Counseling are available to answer questions about majors, courses and requirements. Students can send an email request to the online counselors; replies are given within 3 working days. [Link to counseling services] 

As a part of EduStream, the District's the District's video-on-demand service that is utilized by more than 170 colleges across the country, online students can participate in synchronous audio/video tutorials in math, American sign language, and biology. These synchronous sessions are archived, captioned, and maintained as a repository to be used asynchronously by other students at a later time. Other disciplines are being added to this tutorial service as the need arises and as staff time is available.  As of spring, 2014, this service is being housed at 3CMedia. [website--3CMedia] [Link to EduStream]

 How is DE/CE student attendance monitored?

At one level, Blackboard tracks the log ins and the "clicks" of students in various areas of their classes.  But for financial aid and recording "last day of attendance," instructors have been told that attendance means actually posting in a discussion forum or taking a quiz or participating in the instructional activities in some way.  Merely logging in is not sufficient for scrutiny for financial aid and last day of attendance reporting.

 

Evaluation:

It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.

ACCJC Standard: II.B.2.c

2. The institution provides a catalog for its constituencies with precise, accurate, and current information concerning the following:

c.  Major Policies Affecting Students

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

 Do the same major policies affecting students apply to students enrolled in DE/CE programs as for traditional programs?

 Does the institution have policies for all the areas listed under this standard?

  

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC

 

Description:

 Do the same major policies affecting students apply to students enrolled in DE/CE programs as for traditional programs?

Yes.

 Does the institution have policies for all the areas listed under this standard?

Yes.  •Academic Regulations, including Academic Honesty • Nondiscrimination •Acceptance of Transfer Credits •Grievance and Complaint Procedures •Sexual Harassment •Refund of Fees


Evaluation:

It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.

ACCJC Standard: II.B.2.d

2. The institution provides a catalog for its constituencies with precise, accurate, and current information concerning the following:

d. Locations or Publications Where Other Policies may be Found

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

•What process does the college use to ensure that the information in its publications is easily accessible to students, including students enrolled in DE/CE, prospective students, and the public?

•When policies are not included in the catalog, are the publications in which they are found easily accessible for students with remote access to the institution’s policies and other information?

•Does the institution record student complaints/grievances filed by students studying in DE/CE mode? Are these records made available to the evaluation team? Does the number of complaints/grievances from students studying in DE/CE mode differ from complaints/grievances filed by students studying in traditional mode?

  

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC

Description:

•What process does the college use to ensure that the information in its publications is easily accessible to students, including students enrolled in DE/CE, prospective students, and the public?

SBVC provides a catalog in both printed and electronic formats.  The college's website was redesigned and decentralized in 2011.  This approach provides extensive information that is easily accessible to everyone.  The Online Program Committee controls the "Online Classes" tab on the splash page of the website.  It also controls the Online Program Committee pages. These two locations are rich sources of information for all students and the public at large.  [website--catalog] [website--online classes] [website--Online Program Committee]

•When policies are not included in the catalog, are the publications in which they are found easily accessible for students with remote access to the institution’s policies and other information?

The "Online Classes" is major tab on splash page of the SBVC website.  It includes information that is easily accessible.

•Does the institution record student complaints/grievances filed by students studying in DE/CE mode? Are these records made available to the evaluation team? Does the number of complaints/grievances from students studying in DE/CE mode differ from complaints/grievances filed by students studying in traditional mode?

To the best of our knowledge, SBVC does not distinguish complaints/grievances filed by students enrolled in DE sections from complaints filed by students in on ground sections.  

Evaluation:

The online program committee will work with the Vice President for Student services in August and September of 2014 to address the issue of complaints and grievances from students enrolled in DE sections.  This should be finished and in place by the time the accreditation team visits in late September, 2014.  Aside from that, it is the opinion of the online program committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.

 

 

ACCJC Standard: II.B.3

 

The institution researches and identifies the learning support needs of its student population and provides appropriate services and programs to address those needs.

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

By what means does the institution determine the learning support needs of its students enrolled in DE/CE courses? How well does it address these needs? Are they comparable to the learning support needs provided for in face-to- face courses?

  

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC

Description:

By what means does the institution determine the learning support needs of its students enrolled in DE/CE courses? How well does it address these needs? Are they comparable to the learning support needs provided for in face-to- face courses?

The Online Program committee has an Online Learning Plan.  One of the key components of that plan is "Student Support."  As that plan is evaluated and updated each semester, the committee identifies gaps or needs in student support for DE sections that need to be addressed.  Those needs are communicated to the Technology Committee, the Vice President of Instruction, and, if necessary, to the College Council. [website--online learning plan]

In 2003, the foundational document for SBVC's "Online College" was circulated and supported. One of the key ideas in that document was that all student services provided for on-campus students should have "a functional equivalent" for students enrolled in DE sections.  There are some services that are predicated on a physical presence on campus, such as parking and receiving flu shots at the health center.  But aside from those limited examples, services provided for students enrolled in DE sections are intended to be "functionally equivalent" to services provided to students enrolled in classes on campus. [website--substantive change--2014--Appendix I--pp. 126ff]

 

Evaluation:

It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.

ACCJC Standard: II.B.3.a

 

The institution assures equitable access to all of its students by providing appropriate, comprehensive, and reliable services to students regardless of service location or delivery method.

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

•How does the institution assure access to appropriate, comprehensive, and reliable services, such as but not limited to orientation, tutoring, counseling, and delivery of materials to students with remote access to information?

•What evidence is provided that the institution assesses student needs for services related to DE/CE and effectively provides for them? What evidence exists that the services and responses from faculty are provided in a timely manner to students in DE/CE programs?

•How are online services for DE/CE students evaluated? How well are services meeting the needs of students?

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC


Description:

•How does the institution assure access to appropriate, comprehensive, and reliable services, such as but not limited to orientation, tutoring, counseling, and delivery of materials to students with remote access to information?

The Online Program committee has an Online Learning Plan.  One of the key components of that plan is "Student Support."  As that plan is evaluated and updated each semester, the committee identifies gaps or needs in student support for DE sections that need to be addressed.  Those needs are communicated to the Technology Committee, the Vice President of Instruction, and, if necessary, to the College Council. [website--online learning plan]

In 2003, the foundational document for SBVC's "Online College" was circulated and supported. One of the key ideas in that document was that all student services provided for on-campus students should have "a functional equivalent" for students enrolled in DE sections.  There are some services that are predicated on a physical presence on campus, such as parking and receiving flu shots at the health center.  But aside from those limited examples, services provided for students enrolled in DE sections are intended to be "functionally equivalent" to services provided to students enrolled in classes on campus. [website--substantive change--2014--Appendix I--pp. 126ff]

•What evidence is provided that the institution assesses student needs for services related to DE/CE and effectively provides for them? What evidence exists that the services and responses from faculty are provided in a timely manner to students in DE/CE programs?

Every spring, the Online Program Committee deploys a Student Satisfaction Survey for online students.  That survey includes questions about student support services and library services.  The next iteration of the Faculty Satisfaction Survey for online faculty will include an expanded section dealing with student support services for online learners. [website--Student Satisfaction Survey]

•How are online services for DE/CE students evaluated? How well are services meeting the needs of students?

The Online Program committee has an Online Learning Plan.  One of the key components of that plan is "Student Support."  As that plan is evaluated and updated each semester, the committee identifies gaps or needs in student support for DE sections that need to be addressed.  Those needs are communicated to the Technology Committee, the Vice President of Instruction, and, if necessary, to the College Council. [website--online learning plan].

Evaluation:

It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.

 

ACCJC Standard: II.B.3.b

The institution provides an environment that encourages personal and civic responsibility, as well as intellectual, aesthetic, and personal development for all of its students.

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

 

•What is the institution doing to provide a learning environment for students in DE/CE that promotes these personal attributes? What dialog has the institution engaged in concerning what constitutes a good learning environment for DE/CE?


Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC 

Description:

•What is the institution doing to provide a learning environment for students in DE/CE that promotes these personal attributes? What dialog has the institution engaged in concerning what constitutes a good learning environment for DE/CE?

As a part of a campus-wide dialogue regarding academic integrity, the Online Program Committee encouraged the District to include language on the Blackboard log in screen that emphasized the student's responsibility as a student and as a citizen in the college culture.  This is also emphasized by many instructors with activities that discourage plagiarism.  [website--Blackboard]

Evaluation:

It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.

ACCJC Standard: II.B.3.c

The institution designs, maintains, and evaluates counseling and/or academic advising programs to support student development and success and prepares faculty and other personnel responsible for the advising function.

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

•How does the institution develop, implement, and evaluate counseling and/or academic advising and how do these initiatives ensure that the needs of DE/CE students are effectively addressed?

•How are faculty and staff trained in counseling and providing advice to DE/CE students and in addressing issues related to the DE/CE mode?

•Does the evaluation of counseling and/or academic advising include how it enhances DE/CE student development and success?

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC 

Description:

•How does the institution develop, implement, and evaluate counseling and/or academic advising and how do these initiatives ensure that the needs of DE/CE students are effectively addressed?

The academic advising processes at SBVC have included students enrolled in distance education for decades.  Prior to the growth of online classes, SBVC offered telecourses through KVCR, the local PBS station housed on campus.  The telecourses were ways that students could complete degrees faster by taking courses that were more flexible in terms of time and space.  When the "Online College" was imagined in 2002, the foundational document for that concept emphasized that all student support services, and especially counseling, should affectively address students enrolled in online sections.  At the present time, the Online Program Committee is the group that has the pulse on student services for students enrolled in online and hybrid classes.  The Online Learning Plan includes an assessment of the adequacies of student services for distance education students. [website--Substantive Change, 2014--Appendix I--pages 126ff] [website--Online Learning Plan]

•How are faculty and staff trained in counseling and providing advice to DE/CE students and in addressing issues related to the DE/CE mode?

At least one counselor is a member of the Online Program Committee.  As concerns or issues arise at the committee level, those are shared with the counseling staff.  

•Does the evaluation of counseling and/or academic advising include how it enhances DE/CE student development and success?

Each spring, the Online Program Committee deploys a Student Satisfaction Survey for online students.  One of the questions on that survey asks if the student has spoken with a counselor about taking an online class.  Most students respond that they have not talked with a counselor.  This, however, will likely change as required assessment, orientation, and education plan creation are implemented in the student services area of the college. [website--Student Satisfaction Survey]

Evaluation:

It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.

ACCJC Standard: II.B.3.d

The institution designs and maintains appropriate programs, practices, and services that support and enhance student understanding and appreciation of diversity.

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

•What does the institution do to promote student understanding and appreciation of diversity in the online teaching environment? What measures does the institution use to determine the effectiveness of programs, practices and services?

 

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC

 

Description:

•What does the institution do to promote student understanding and appreciation of diversity in the online teaching environment? What measures does the institution use to determine the effectiveness of programs, practices and services?

SBVC submitted two Substantive Change Proposals to the ACCJC, one in 2012 and another in 2014.  Currently, 40 degrees and 22 certificates had passed the 50% threshold for DE offerings and were included in those Substantive Change Proposals.  In the 2012 Proposal, SBVC indicated that all of its General Education pathways could be completed by taking only courses that were offered in the DE mode.  Although it is rare that a student would do this, it is possible, in principle, for a student to complete his or her complete GE package by taking online and/or hybrid classes.  Because of the breadth of its DE curricular offerings, SBVC guarantees that there is a diversity of ideas in the online teaching format.  [website--Substantive Change Proposals]

The key measures of the effectiveness of academic programs at SBVC are student success and student retention.  These are monitored by the Online Program Committee to ensure that SBVC meets its institution-set standards regarding distance education.  [website--institution-set standards for DE]

Evaluation:


It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Eduation.

 

ACCJC Standard: II.B.3.e

e. The institution regularly evaluates admissions and placement instruments and practices to validate their effectiveness while minimizing biases.

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

•What processes are used to evaluate the effectiveness of practices and tools of admissions for DE/CE programs? Are they different from the tools and practices used for traditional programs? What is the rationale?

•What evaluation measures of placement processes are used to ensure their consistency and effectiveness? Are the processes the same for DE/CE programs and traditional programs? How are cultural and linguistic biases in the instruments and processes minimized?

  

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC

Description:

•What processes are used to evaluate the effectiveness of practices and tools of admissions for DE/CE programs? Are they different from the tools and practices used for traditional programs? What is the rationale?

•What evaluation measures of placement processes are used to ensure their consistency and effectiveness? Are the processes the same for DE/CE programs and traditional programs? How are cultural and linguistic biases in the instruments and processes minimized?

There is no distinction between admissions and assessment for students taking distance education courses and those students taking courses on campus.  Accurate placement of students has been an ongoing issue at SBVC for well over a decade.  Controversies existed over the use of Acuplacer to place students in English classes and Reading classes.  The recent effort to have all 112 colleges use a common electronic placement tool has done nothing to ease these controversies.  In any case, the same placement and assessment tools will be used for students taking on campus classes and distance education classes.


Evaluation:


It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.

ACCJC Standard: II.B.4

4. The institution evaluates student support services to assure their adequacy in meeting identified student needs. Evaluation of these services provides evidence that they contribute to the achievement of student learning outcomes. The institution uses the results of these evaluations as the basis for improvement.

ACCJC Guide for Evaluating Distance Education (June, 2013)

•How does the institution provide for systematic and regular review of its student support services available to DE/CE students? Are the reviews for DE/CE similar to traditional education? How are the results used?

•Do the evaluation measures of DE/CE assess how student support services contribute to the achievement of student learning outcomes? How are evaluation results used to improve services?

Beyond Audit and Compliance: DE Excellence at SBVC 

Description:

•How does the institution provide for systematic and regular review of its student support services available to DE/CE students? Are the reviews for DE/CE similar to traditional education? How are the results used?

Program Review is SBVC's comprehensive program for systematic and regular review of student support services.   Also the Online Learning Plan of the Online Program Committee includes regular review of student support services as they relate to distance education students.  [website--Online Learning Plan]

•Do the evaluation measures of DE/CE assess how student support services contribute to the achievement of student learning outcomes? How are evaluation results used to improve services?

Every part of campus is involved in the assessment of student learning.  The Student Services Division is no exception.  The regular process of assessment and evaluation is the process by which decisions are made to improve services, when necessary.


Evaluation:


It is the opinion of the Online Program Committee that SBVC meets this standard in terms of Distance Education.