The Austin Community College District wants to know your ideas to improve student learning. The ACC Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability is now conducting a survey that will be used to create a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The survey is available online through Oct. 31.
“QEP gives us the opportunity to really focus on ways to directly impact how we support our students,” says Soon Merz, associate vice president for effectiveness and accountability. “Someone out there has a great idea that will become the official QEP, and the college will get behind it for years to come.”
Central Texas residents, along with ACC faculty, students, staff, are invited to complete the 5-question survey on the topic of student learning. All responses will be considered in the development of the college’s QEP initiative, to be announced in April. When you complete the survey, you will be automatically entered into a drawing for prizes.
So what’s your QEP? Take the survey at austincc.edu/sacs/qep — click on “Submit an Idea Now.” Deadline for submissions is midnight, October 31.
The QEP is a component of ACC’s accrediting organization, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and a part of the college’s Student Success Initiative.
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By Chrystal October 9, 2010 - 11:34 pm
I know one of the biggest things for me and my learning is the time it takes to get paid for school. I am a veteran and get paid by the VA. I cannot get paid till the school notifies the VA that i am enrolled. This process seems to take a lot of time. I dont know if they are under staffed or what but i dont think that i should still not have been paid and it is midterm time. I have to pay for my classes ahead of time out of my pocket and then get reimbursed. This causes stress at home because the bills are not paid which causes stress at school where i cannot even concentrate to take a test or listen to lectures because my mind is on other things. I know that this may seem small to some people but i know from talking to other students that getting financial aid and GI Bill money is really important for us, especially the ones that are not working. I think if these things could get fixed people would do better in their classes. There would also be less people dropping out because they cant afford to go to school when they should be able to it people were doing their jobs. I feel like i did my time in the military and i should not have to fight to get my money. It is very disappointing.
By Milton Gatewood October 11, 2010 - 10:50 am
Acc needs to invest in additional continuing education courses for men and women in the area of Housing renovation and construction.
Acc could provide certificates to trades men and women desiring to take course that would give the immediate skills for employment and business opportunity in the housing industry. Specifically, the home courses would include classes in:
Electrical wiring, masonry, plumbing, framing homes, repairing homes, laying tile, laying carpet, lawn care, planting of grass, flowers, landscaping, city and state license requirement, city and state taxing requirements, etc.
All of the above courses associated would give employers, skilled labors, with certified documentation that their workers would be certified, competent, and aware of safety requirements. Also, individuals desiring to start their own home construction business would have the needed skills, and a foundation for successful endeavor.
By Jennifer Welch October 11, 2010 - 9:01 pm
I think all teachers should be required to post at least their grades on Blackboard. Some teachers us BB other do not.
Its confusing.
JW
By Jennifer October 12, 2010 - 11:18 am
I have to agree with Chrystal. The financial aid process has taken a nose dive over the past 2 semesters with people not being provided with their aid until well after classes start. Summer semester, my husband and I were told financial aid was over two weeks behind in their paperwork. Why did they not work additional hours until they were caught up? Why even bother to put textbook information on the schedules when a student does not have the money to purchase their books before the class starts? This causes stress to the students who need their supplies sometimes prior to the class starting; stress on the bookstores who may not have enough books on hand at the time; and stress on the teachers who have students who cannot do their work because they have to wait for their aid to come in to get books. This stress causes students to have to drop classes since they cannot do their work.
ACC should also start investing in the possibility of four year degrees for some of their popular programs. Often, those programs double, if not triple in tuition when a student transfers to TSU or UT, and the student cannot afford this price hike, and this will derail their education. ACC will generate more money and more students if they offer four year degree plans in their popular programs.
By Brent October 13, 2010 - 12:29 pm
“Another factor to consider is that each year tuition rates rise. In fact college tuition costs increase at about twice the general inflation rate, about 8% per year.”
http://www.austincc.edu/support/admissions/tuitionchart.php