College-wide Academic Achievement Committee (CWAAC)
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College-wide assessment is managed by a committee of faculty and administrators, and has been assessing students since 1998. Assessment takes place each spring (March or April), and the selected cohort consists of those students who have applied for graduation and are receiving an Associate Degree.
To date, GCC has focused on the assessment of three core outcomes, writing, critical reading, and critical reasoning (includes mathematics), using a nationally normed instrument (The measure of academic proficiency and progress – see http://www.ets.org/mapp). These outcomes are part of the college's mission statement and parallel the goals of the MCCCD Governing Board. Student performance over the years has been exceptional, demonstrating the college's commitment to quality education. Results are available from your Department Chair.
In 2003 and 2006, the college completed assessments of the secondary outcome, Speaking (Oral Communication), and during the period 2002-2005 participated in Project SAILS (Standard Assessment of Information Literacy Skills) to pilot an assessment of another secondary outcome – Information Literacy. In 2008-2009, the college will begin assessment of its third secondary outcome, Technology Literacy.
Looking to the future, GCC will continue to assess core outcomes each spring, and secondary outcomes every three years. Data from both core and secondary outcomes will be disseminated to the faculty through reports, department meetings and annual assessment workshops.
