An Interesting Exchange from a Long Time, Experienced Reading Instructor

>>> Joe Cortina 6/10/2009 9:20 AM >>>
Thanks for your response, Becki, and thanks also from the feedback from Allatia.  Again, please know that I'm in complete support of the new EDUC 1300 Learning Frameworks course and, indeed, would be happy to advise and/or provide support to the curriculum commitee for this course. 

I do understand that students will still be required to take DREA and DWRI courses in order to eventually enroll in core courses like ENGL 1301, HIST 1301, etc. 

But my concern is this:  Let's assume a student wants to enroll for nine credit hours and this student's assessment scores place him or her into DREA 0093, DWRI 093 and DMAT 0091.  As you know, this student will need all three of these courses eventually, but is not required to enroll in ALL of them each semester.  If this student is allowed to enroll in EDUC 1300, it is conceivable that he or she will be advised to enroll in DREA 0093, DMAT 0091 and EDUC 1300, thereby delaying enrollment in DWRI 0093.  (EDUC 1300 will certainly have some appeal to both advisors and students beacuse it is a new course and because it will carry a 1300-level number.)

I don't think Allatia's comment that "A DREA 0093 student could probably do well in the Learning Frameworks course" is a reason to invite them to do so--given the fact that it may cause them to delay remediation in any area.

And aslo, Allatia suggests that EDUC 1300 will be "a course that will assist the 'college ready' student to be successful in his or her learning in college level academic pursuits," but this will be a contradiction in terms if DREA 0093 and DWRI 0093 students (who are by TSI standards not 'college ready') are allowed to take EDUC 1300, a course designed for 'college ready' students. 

I realize that we're in the preliminary stages of the development of the Learning Frameworks course, so I'm grateful to have the opportunity to share my concerns (and support) early on. 

Again I would like to say that, as a veteran DREA instructor, I know students completing the DREA (and DWRI) sequence would benefit from an additional couse such as EDUC 1300 as they launch into taking core courses.  (Indeed, our district used to offer READ 1301 and READ 1302, advanced reading and study skills courses.  Unfortunately, the necessary attention invested in administering the TASP, THEA and TSI programs caused the removal of these courses from the district's curriculum.)

Thanks for allowing me to contribute to this discussion, Becki.

Joe 



>>> Becki Williams 06/09/09 3:55 PM >>>
Joe,
I asked Allatia Harris for some feedback to your questions/comments.  The Core Curriculum Committee has not prescribed/decided eligibility for enrollment in the Pre-Core Learning Frameworks course, which will likely be called EDUC 1300 Learning Frameworks. The new committee charged to help implement this aspect of the new core will be consulting others, such as you to guide them in the design of the course.  (Mary Darin is also on the committee).    Please let me know your reaction to Allatia's comments.  I appreciate your feedback and questions.  Please contact me at any time with information and/or concerns.  We intend to provide communication and ask for feedback as we move ahead.  Thanks, Becki

Here's Allatia's feedback:

I think the committee should discuss plans for those students in the top
level developmental courses. A DREA 0093 student could probably do well
in the Learning Frameworks course.

I think students in the DREA 0090 and 0091 courses would benefit more
from either the traditional HD0092 or possibly the HDEV 1310  

HDEV 0092   Student Success (3)
In this orientation course, students are introduced to academic and
personal goal-setting and learning skills that enhance their chances for
educational success. Students will learn how to develop positive
attitudes toward themselves, improve communication and decision-making
skills, and make effective use of campus resources. This course supports
students enrolling in other appropriate remediation. (3 Lec.)
Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 3201015212

HDEV 1310    Career Exploration/Planning (3)
This is a Common Course Number.
An introduction to the process of career decision-making, educational
planning, and job searching. Topics include analyzing personal career
interests, values, and aptitudes; surveying and researching career
fields with related educational and training requirements; practicing
the decision-making process; and basic job search skills such as
completing applications, writing letters of application, developing and
using resumes and interviewing. (3 Lec.)
Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 5204010004

In my opinion, those students with serious reading and writing
deficiencies are not ready for what you want to accomplish in LRNG 1300
or even HDEV 1310. In order to help them, you would have to water down
the curriculum to a point that no one would benefit.

So - I would say the DW/DR 0090 and 0091 students are not eligible for
LRNG 1300 (and HDEV 0092 is not a substitute for LRNG 1300). I would let
committees discuss and debate what is appropriate for the students in DR
or DW 0093.

Does this help?

You are designing a course that will assist the "college ready" student
to be successful in his or her learning in college level academic
pursuits.


>>> Joe Cortina 6/5/2009 9:01 AM >>>
Hi, Gary ~

As a lifelong developmental reading instructor, I'm curious about and
interested in the development of the new Core Curriculum Learning
Frameworks course--and happy to learn that you're representing Richland
on the district's committee.  Let me say first that I support the
introduction of this course completely and without reservations.  My
experience has taught me that students can, indeed, benefit from "up
front" help provided to them at the beginning of their post-secondary
academic journey.  And I do understand that the Learning Frameworks
course will address a very broad array of skills and success-oriented
behaviors.

I do have a concern, though, that when the course is launched in the
fall of 2010 it might inadvertently divert students from developmental
courses (DREA, DWRI, and DMAT) that they need.  So, my first question
is, "Will students be allowed to take the Learning Frameworks course if
their TSI assessment scores indicate that they need to take DREA?"  Or,
put another way, "Will students need to have met their TSI requirements
in reading and writing (as they do for other core curriculum courses)
before they will be permitted to enroll in the Learning Frameworks
course?"  If Becky and her CC committee have already ruled on this
situation, I'm afraid I just missed this part of the explanation.  Do we
have an answer for this concern of mine at this point?

Gary, as you continue your work on this committee and consider issues
related to developmental reading skills, critical reading/thinking
skills, and study skills, please know that I'll be happy to advise you
if you think I could be of assistance.

Thanks,
Joe