State Board: Noreen Light, Bill Moore

Call to Order, Introductions, Welcomes

Approval of Feb 5 & 6, 2009 minutes

Treasurer’s report: Randy Nelson

Dues raised, everyone has paid (except Edmonds) Yakima cannot pay, Wenatchee unknown. Diane is confident that despite econ issues, colleges will maintain membership. Randy concurred

Vice-president’s report: George O’Neal

George was not in attendance, but he has expressed interest in stepping down. Diane delineated tasks of VP: membership/recruitment, and maintaining membership contact info are the primary responsibilities of the position. After a brief side discussion of how current membership list is at present, Mike Dodge agreed to step in, if Geo is truly stepping down. This was followed by a discussion of the membership list available on SBCTC website requiring an update.

President’s report: Diane Pelletier

Discussion of reception at the conference: estimated attendance 76. For next year, Diane suggested a powerpoint continuously playing describing FACTC. Jennifer notes that it takes time to put it together, Karrie volunteered to take on project.

It’s necessary to change location for fall meeting 2009. Suggested: Cascadia, Skagit, Pierce. Discussion continued, Brad (Skagit) agreed to check/arrange to set meeting at Skagit on Oct 22/23, 2009.

Other meetings for 2009-10:
Winter: February 11/12, Olympia at State Board tentative
Spring: April 30, Friday at Clark, after TL Conf.

Standing Reports:

FACTC Publications: Mark Doerr

FOCUS:

Mark requested that members prod colleagues or selves for articles, only 2 so far. Members then brainstormed about articles, including people from conference doing something while it’s fresh in mind. Ruth confirmed doing ‘grade forgiveness’ policies, Phil V will work with Mark to solicit articles from conferees. This issue will also include data from SB on how many students have to take developmental courses.

FACTC website & Blog: Jennifer Wu and Randy Nelson

Web updates include photos of reps. Page updated after meetings and when dues are paid. Currently , $225 left in website budget for updates etc. We pay $110.25 for web hosting (annual). Jennifer emphasized need for maintaining accurate and current member data.

Blog- Mark can post directly to the blog, Phil is also an associate member and can post directly, anyone can post responses.

FACTC Representation at IC meetings

Coordinator: George Neal
Unclear whether George will continue coordination after stepping down as VP.

Winter meeting Report: Randy Nelson
Did not attend, no report.

Spring meeting May 21, SBCTC: George Neal, Phil Venditti

Phil will attend with his VP and go to meeting, he will ask to be on agenda (advised to contact Jackie @ SB) to introduce himself as new President and report on FACTC activities. Bill/Noreen will follow up”with Jackie.

State Board Updates: Noreen Light, Bill Moore

Bill-will flup electronically with info on the following:

Math placement test development:

Test being piloted, so cut score can be set this Summer. They will use grade data also, and decision is not cast in stone. Developmental tweaking will occur over next 2 years or so. The test will act as an early warning system for HS students’ math preparedness for college. The CC and university systems have agreed to use cut score.

To be discussed at IC:

Set of math courses for list must be common course numbered. So far just 107, possibly 146 (but discussion continues.) Some schools ok with pre-calc, others not. College readiness scores not intended for pre-calc preparedness measure, plus pre-calc is highly variable around the system and that is the reason for not including it.

UW office of educational assessment & math faculty have been developing test, does not deliver placement info. So far the test is called College Readiness Math Test (CC) or MPTG (4yr)

Pilot schools for the test are: Spokane Falls, Whatcom, some high schools. Pilot will be coordinated by UW. As there is no funding to implement test, students may have to pay.

Math in Direct Transfer Agreement —

How to deal with intermediate algebra needs, UW definition is narrow. JAOG is involved and has task force w/college math faculty reps. Students were being rejected by UW (Central 1098), but now being held harmless. Language in DTA says proficiency in intermediate algebra. Recommendation to JAOG- language about intermediate algebra to be removed and require math but not logic, unless logic can be cross referenced. Econ, Comp Sci can work on some campuses but that option may be preempted if recommendation is adopted.

Grant for transition math project is running out. Looking for other funding sources

Amy asked about placement for writing. HEC board is looking at standards for readiness. Placement score cutoffs vary widely across the system so even if 20% of students place below college level using current cutoffs, in actuality it may be more than that.

Reading scores may not be used as widely across the system.

Bill will send chart of cut scores.

Student Achievement Initiative

Money for achievement points, which might put more emphasis on developmental ed activity on campuses. Discussion: Members note that colleges may perceive SAI as dismissing current/past activity in this area and that students (not necessarily colleges) should be incented for achievement.

Review: SAI provides money from state board, ($3.5 mil via legislature) with no restrictions on how spent.

Accred change:

Timeline is now 7 years, a more continuous process with report submission every two years. Standards now are more like ‘themes’ with greater breadth. Ongoing

Assessment is heavily emphasized, 2011 is start (although with a choice if you’re due that year, those scheduled for 2010 use old structure). NWCCU website has full ppt and document explaining proposed standards/process.

WASQUAL tabled.

Rehosting is moving forward.

Financial emergency- Board did not take a vote at most recent meeting, will be taken next time.

Bill and Noreen brought concerns from State Board staff that emails from a couple of college faculty were sent to all SB staff and Board members. The emails concerned faculty salary/pay issues in current budget crisis. Irritated some people at SBCTC.

Discussion: How is communication between board/unions facilitated? Important role of FACTC members to communicate the role of State Board. General discussion that email is part of the public discussion and that this is the way campus discussions are going on as well.