College of DuPage has identified three action projects to fulfill the AQIP/HLC/NCA accreditation requirements:
AQIP 4: Valuing People Through Enhanced Communications
AQIP 5: Improve Academic Readiness of Students
AQIP 6: Improve Student Engagement

Information regarding the status of these action projects can be obtained by searching AQIP’s Action Project Directory.

In addition, three action projects have been retired.

AQIP 1: Improve Students’ Skills in Developmental Reading, Writing and Mathematics
The first project designed and implemented systems and processes to improve developmental students’ skills in reading, writing and mathematics and ensure their success in college-level English and mathematics courses. Analysis of three years of retention data, 2001-04, in Developmental Reading and Writing indicates that a 3 percent increase in student retention remains consistent. In Developmental Writing, over the three-year AQIP project, student retention improved by 2 percent.
Analysis of testing data indicates that there is a decrease in number and percent of students not testing, from 29 percent in 2001 to 20 percent in 2004. Course completion data in Developmental Writing indicates that since implementation of mandatory writing, completion rates have jumped by 8 percent. In Reading, however, because course grades are tied to the exit exam, results are inconclusive. The math skills sub-team developed math modules to target specific deficiencies of developmental students. The modules are an outgrowth from a survey of non-math faculty.

AQIP 2: Improve Student Advising
The second project designed and implemented an efficient and effective advising system to help C.O.D. students meet their individual educational goals. One technology-based tool that was created, STARS, is a web page that provides valuable advising applications to link various existing, stand-alone applications for a cyber “one-stop shop” for both students and advisers. A nautical theme has been established for recognizable marketing purposes and is now present in the Student Services Department brochure and OARS (Orientation, Advising and Registration Sessions) marketing material.

AQIP 3: Improve Effectiveness of Partnerships with Area High Schools
The third project developed effective and productive partnerships with area high schools to meet the needs of four primary stakeholder groups: high school students, their parents, high school teachers and administrators. Accomplishments included the implementation of 50 dual credit agreements signed with seven area high schools. Eight hundred high school students participated in the initial year of the dual credit program.

Collection of feedback from a group of 40 high school faculty, counselors and administrators regarding C.O.D.’s progress in building and maintaining effective high school partnerships revealed very positive comments. The partnership with the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD), provider of career and technical education programs to prepare DuPage County high school students for today’s workplace, was strengthened by dual credit programs tailored to meet the needs of TCD students and an agreement that TCD would be part of C.O.D.’s plans to expand programming options for students into each quadrant of the college’s service area.

 

Joseph E. Collins, Ph.D.
Institutional Representative to the Higher Learning Commission
 
(630) 942-3203