Findings and Planning Recommendations
For Linkages Between Non-Credit English as a Second Language,
Transitional Studies, City College Programs and Outside Agencies
PLANNING TASK FORCE
LINKAGES BETWEEN ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, TRANSITIONAL
STUDIES AND OTHER CITY COLLEGE PROGRAMS
Part One: Executive Summary
In order for City College of San Francisco to fulfill its mission of providing students with the necessary career education and skills to successfully participate in the workplace and global economy, the College needs to provide students with reasonable access to non-credit programs. It is also important and often necessary for the College to facilitate the transfer into vocational or other programs for students who have completed non-credit instruction in basic skills and life skills. These pathways must be clearly marked and supported by the College if students are to develop and reach educational and vocational goals.
In light of this, in the Fall of 1996, the City College of San Francisco Master Plan Committee (MPC) approved a resolution establishing the Planning Task Force, to be comprised of faculty and administrators with additional contributions from students and the community. The MPC recognized the need to begin the process of building a comprehensive education plan for the non-credit programs, beginning with English as a Second Language (ESL) and Transitional Studies (TS). The mission of the Planning Task Force was to prepare a plan that would address the establishment and strengthening of linkages between non-credit programs, especially those in ESL and TS, and also with other CCSF programs as well as other institutions and organizations in the City and County of San Francisco.
In order to determine areas of concern and to develop an action plan for each area, the Planning Task Force employed several methods of inquiry:
As an outcome of this research, the Planning Task Force identified four
areas of concern and established goals to improve the institutional effectiveness
in each area:
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| 1. Availability of accurate public information about non-credit
programs
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Major gaps exist in the provision of timely and useful information to students, faculty, staff, and members of the community. | 1. Increase student, staff, faculty, administration and community awareness of available college programs, courses, departments and services. |
| 2. Student access to non-credit programs
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Students continue to experience difficulty in accessing appropriate classes and programs, a situation exacerbated by the inconsistency of procedures across the various CCSF campuses. | 2. Improve access of ESL and TS students into appropriate
programs at CCSF and in the community at large.
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| 3. Linkages among non-credit programs at CCSF
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In examining the issue of linkages between non-credit ESL, TS and outside agencies or programs, the Planning Task Force found that there are currently few, if any, organized program models or vehicles at CCSF that focus on creating and maintaining these linkages and that existing linkages are not well known or utilized by faculty and students. | 3. Establish linkages among CCSF programs and outsides agencies,
and provide adequate resources to maintain them.
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| 4. Lack of reliable data and accountability
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There have been a limited number of surveys of faculty and students in non-credit programs, and very little systematic research of the impact of programs upon students. | 4. Conduct systematic research to evaluate non-credit programs
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The Task Force recognizes that there are some issues raised by the CCSF Non-Credit Issues Committee which contribute to the challenge of providing excellent non-credit education and could hamper full and effective implementation of this plan. These include part-time employment, workload and pay issues.
The rest of this report consists of Part Two, a review of available information on non-credit ESL and TS students and their educational goals, completion rates, and satisfaction with CCSF programs and services; Part Three, a discussion of areas of concern in the CCSF non-credit program; and Part Four, the goals, objectives and actions proposed by the Planning Task Force.
Part Two: Non-Credit ESL and Transitional Studies Students
These studies document CCSF students' educational goals, completion
rates and satisfaction with programs. The student focus groups also gathered
information on students' knowledge and opinions of CCSF programs and services.
These studies indicate that a significant number of non-credit ESL and
TS students are interested in and have goals beyond completion of the ESL
and TS programs, but results of focus groups indicate that students are
having difficulty meeting these goals because they aren't aware of other
opportunities at CCSF and find access to other programs difficult and confusing.
In addition, although articulation between credit and non-credit CCSF programs
has been strengthened, these studies indicate that more needs to be done
to increase success of students moving into the credit program.
The graph which follows shows that of the students sampled for this
survey, 24 percent are attending to improve basic skills, while a significant
percentage(29%) are interested in job skills and vocational certificates,
and 11 percent expressed a desire to go on to higher education.
Responses to this same ESL Satisfaction Survey also indicate that 2.95% of the students surveyed are concurrently taking credit ESL.
Student Satisfaction Survey of Credit ESL Students
(Document available at Office of Research, Planning
& Grants or ESL Offices)
During the same period of time, a similar Student Satisfaction Survey
was administered to a sample of 450 Credit ESL students. This was done
as part of the program review process. Of these sample students,
29 percent indicate that they have taken a non-credit ESL class. Of this
sample, 9 percent have taken one class, 7 percent have taken two classes,
and 6.5 percent have taken 5 or more classes.
ESL Study of Articulation Between Non Credit/Credit Programs
(Document available at Office of Research, Planning
& Grants or ESL Offices)
A study in 1992, which investigated the rate of articulation between
the non-credit and credit programs, tracked a group of Level 600 students
and their movement from non-credit to credit ESL. This study
found that the majority (55%) of the Level 600 students surveyed indicated
that they would like to take credit classes, but that they were encountering
obstacles. Changes in the test delivery system and other systemic changes
were made as a result of this study.
ESL Research Studies-Credit Course Completion
(Document available at Office of Research, Planning
& Grants or ESL Offices)
A study, completed for the ESL Department in 1995, took a look
at student success by focusing on successful course completion rates for
each credit ESL course over two fall semesters. One section of the
study examined students who came from non-credit ESL. New credit ESL students
who came from non-credit ESL had a higher than average
overall course completion rate in Fall '93 and Fall '94.
However, a longitudinal credit study completed for the college of all students who took the ESL Placement Test at CCSF in Spring 1993 offers a different picture of the success of non-credit students in credit courses. This study followed all students who took the Credit ESL Placement Test in 1993, examined their class records from Spring 1993 to Spring 1996 to see how they did in the credit ESL sequence of courses. Former non-credit ESL students tended not to have completed ESL 82 (highest course in the ESL sequence). Another indicator of higher risk of not completing or still being in progress in ESL courses after three years is initial placement in ESL 22, 32 or 42 (basic skills courses). Over half (51%) of non-credit ESL students who take the credit placement test initially place in these non-degree applicable courses.
Transitional Studies Student Satisfaction Survey
(Document available at Office of Research, Planning
& Grants or TS Offices)
This graph, taken from the data collection of the program review process,
demonstrates that while over one-third of the sampled students are in the
program to improve basic skills, a significant percentage are interested
in higher education (43%) or vocational oriented programs (17%).
CalWorks Data
(Document available at Office of Research, Planning
& Grants or ESL or TS Offices)
The new California Welfare to Work plan is called CalWorks (California
Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids). Clients who were formerly
on AFDC are now called TANF (Temporary Aid for Needy Families) recipients.
This new state program creates a priority for developing linkages between
non-credit ESL and TS, as well as from TS and non-credit ESL to credit
and vocational programs. CCSF will be receiving federal and state funding
to provide education, training and support for TANF students who are referred
to the college by the Department of Human Services (DHS). A profile of
TANF students indicated that of the 2,316 identified TANF recipients enrolled
in Spring, 1997, a significant percentage (73%) were enrolled only in non-credit,
23 percent enrolled in credit only and 4 percent enrolled in both. The
courses most often taken for these non-credit students are; 68 percent
in ESL, 17 percent in TS, 16 percent in Business, 7 percent in Child Development
and 2 percent in DSP&S. These students are predominately female
(73%). John Adams, Alemany and Phelan serve approximately 400 non-credit
TANF students each, with Chinatown/ North Beach, Downtown, Mission and
Southeast campuses serving about 100-200 each.
Student Focus Groups
Information from Non-credit ESL and TS Students
One of the missions of the Task Force was to gather information from ESL and TS students on their knowledge and opinions of CCSF programs and services. Focus Groups were held at John Adams, Downtown, Mission, Alemany, Southeast and the Learning Center at Gough Street. Approximately 100 students participated in these focus meetings. A process for selecting student participants and the agenda was established by the Task Force, following a model used previously in Chinatown/North Beach. Instructors and students were provided with a standard list of questions for classroom discussion. Following discussion, students were elected or volunteered to attend the Focus Meetings.
Sample Discussion Questions
(Document available at Office of Research, Planning
& Grants or ESL or TS Offices)
How well-informed are they about CCSF, campuses and programs ?
How did they find out about and register for current classes?
What are future educational interests? Do they know how to access
the classes and programs they need to meet their goals?
What skills and requirements are needed to meet future goals?
Do they have suggestions for improving linkages from current classes
to other classes and programs at CCSF?
Commonalties
1. Students generally have very little knowledge of programs at other campuses and even of some of the other programs at their own campus. As an example, students at all other campuses believe that John Adams was only for GED. They select a campus mostly because of location and by word of mouth.
2. They would like to know more about other programs, particularly about vocational programs and how to get help in obtaining employment. Non-credit students feel that this assistance is available only for credit students.
3. They would like consistency of requirements across campuses for similar courses as well as more standard intake processes. They would like to be able to transfer between campuses and programs without having to travel all over the city and deal with new lines and registration procedures.
4. Bulletin boards and flyers are generally ignored as there are too many of them, they are often not timely, and are not focused, e.g. contain everything from important information about classes to notices about things for sale. Flyers and schedules are not easy to read for many with low basic skills and limited English.
5. In most instances, students had problems with the intake process at their campus. They expressed dissatisfaction with having to leave jobs and find baby sitters to come back two or three times to register for a class.
6. Campus orientations are usually offered only once a semester and those who are unable to attend would like instructors routinely to provide information. In fact, most wanted instructors to spend some class time disseminating campus and CCSF information, helping them to meet educational and vocational goals.
7. Students discussed problems that are unique to their campuses. They usually do not know to whom to talk or where to go for assistance in resolving campus issues about cleanliness or safety. While Student Councils are in place at some campuses, they are sometimes more about social events than real campus problems.
8. Students universally wanted to continue this process of having regularly scheduled focus meetings.
9. Students were generally complimentary about the quality of instruction and especially appreciate the free classes.
Part Three: Areas of Concern
Area of Concern One:
Availability of Accurate Public Information about
Non-Credit CCSF Programs
A. Existing Sources of Information Available to the Public
| Goal One: Increase student, staff,
faculty, administration and community awareness of
available college programs, courses, departments and services. |
Area of Concern Two:
Student Access to Non-Credit Programs
A. Student Concerns
Student Satisfaction Survey data show that 29 percent of ESL and 17
percent of TS students surveyed expressed an interest in going on to a
vocational class or program.
Students in all Focus Groups expressed the need to understand expectations and standards for entry into non-credit vocational programs throughout CCSF. Processes for enrollment were also a problem for most students as they are different at each campus.
Vocational faculty interviewed expressed interest in students’ having the basic language and communication skills needed to complete their classes and obtain employment.
Thus, one vocational program, the Business Program was selected by the Task Force to study access issues in depth because of the interest in this program by large numbers of ESL and TS students. The Downtown Campus was the focus of the study in Spring 1997; smaller programs at John Adams and Chinatown/North Beach were studied in Fall 1997.
B. Enrollment Process and Admissions Requirements for Business
Classes at Downtown Campus
(Document available at Office of Research, Planning
& Grants or ESL or TS Offices)
Currently, students wishing to enroll in non-credit Business classes
at the Downtown Campus must wait in line on registration day. Because
of this first-come first-served policy, there is little control of the
level of proficiency in English or basic skills of the students. There
are usually 700 openings at each four week cycle. A clerk handles all students
and there is no waiting list. Those who have waited in line are notified
as to whether or not they are in the class and do not always see a counselor.
(They may make an appointment, if desired.)
ESL Levels 7/8 have been recommended for entry into most Business classes, but the non-credit Business Dept. instructors do not know the language or basic skill background of their students, or if they come from ESL, TS or a Bridge class. The instructors report that they lose a large number of their students before completion of a class because of language or basic skill deficiencies, or perhaps because of the enrollment process. Business course offering information is distributed with flyers which have been difficult for students to read.
C. Enrollment Process and Admissions Requirements for Business
Classes at Chinatown/North Beach Campus
Chinatown/North Beach provides non-credit Business and Computer classes.
Business classes such as Introduction to Personal Computers are offered
with typing skill requirements only. Enrollment is on a first-come
first-served basis. Students sign up on the first day class meets.
The first 40 students who sign up are admitted to the class. The counselors
try to screen ESL students and steer them to appropriate classes for their
level.
D. Enrollment Process and Admissions Requirements for Business
Classes at John Adams Campus
John Adams Campus has an intake process which includes assessment of
prospective students by the Counseling Department. One entry requirement
for their vocational programs is a baseline score of 225 on a CASAS Test.
Those who do not qualify are referred by counselors to TS or ESL classes.
As instructors determine that a student is more proficient, the student
may be referred to the Business classes. The Business Department
Coordinator at John Adams concurs with this process of setting and maintaining
basic standards and believes that it increases students' chances for success
in the courses and in the workplace.
E. Summary of Findings and Recommendations
The Planning Task Force found that many Level 7/8 ESL students at all
CCSF campuses are interested in changing from upper level ESL, where some
have been taking classes for several semesters. These students are
ready for business-oriented and professional growth-oriented instruction.
As a result of the Task Force meetings, the ESL Department has begun to
make ESL instructors more aware of Business programs so that they can assist
students in selecting appropriate classes.
Students at all campuses requested more consistency of requirements
across campuses and more standard intake processes. The Planning Task Force
agrees that these changes would improve the quality of service provided
to CCSF non-credit students and would increase their chances for success
in reaching vocational goals. The Planning Task Force recommends that the
College establish consistent intake/registration processes and prerequisite
skill levels for similar courses at all campuses. The College also needs
to take steps to improve the preparation of ESL and TS students for entry
level enrollment in other non-credit programs, and then facilitate that
enrollment process.
| Goal Two. Improve access of ESL and TS students into
appropriate programs at City
College and in the community at large |
Area of Concern Three: Linkages among Non-Credit Programs
A. Linkage between ESL and TS
Instructors and coordinators from both departments had not established
an on-going working model for linking their programs. The Task Force was
an opportunity for many to work together and understand the levels and
programs available.
The Planning Task Force recommends the establishment of an on-going
partnership between the two departments to facilitate the transfer and
concurrent enrollment of those ESL students who can benefit from instruction
in Adult Basic Education (ABE) or are interested in pursuing a GED Certificate
or high school diploma.
Meetings were held in March and April 1997, arranged by the non-credit Business coordinator for a sub-committee of the Task Force. These meetings included non-credit Business coordinators from Chinatown/North Beach, Mission, John Adams and Southeast along with ESL and Business instructors from the Downtown campus. As a result of the Task Force meeting with instructors and coordinators, some students who successfully complete the Bridge class at the Downtown campus are now being given priority to pre-enroll into the Business classes.
The difference between Introduction to Microcomputers and the Beginning Application classes needs to be made clear to students and ESL instructors. The introduction class is the more difficult class in terms of language proficiency and basic skills while Beginning Application classes are more "hands-on".
One of the Task Force goals was to examine the access and information
needed to link ESL and TS students to programs such as Consumer Education
and Older Adults Departments. Previously there has been no regular interaction
between these departments.
For some agencies wishing to develop joint projects, CCSF appears not to have a planning process to evaluate a proposal by an outside agency. A clear process which identifies advantages and disadvantages for both parties is needed as well as communication that promotes mutual understanding and cooperation.
Obstacles for encouraging outside agencies to work with CCSF include the inflexibility of the two-semester instructional year, rigid curriculum, and faculty scheduling restrictions. Delays by CCSF in starting projects can sometimes create serious program implementation problems.
One model that has worked is the Transitional Studies Homeless/At Risk
Transitional Students Program (HARTS). This program has served homeless
and at risk populations for over five years and provides important linkages
to essential college and community services and educational advising for
potential or enrolled students who are referred by community based organizations,
college counseling, and concerned faculty.
The Transitional Studies Department suggested that a minimum score be developed for placement into credit English and math classes. Although Title V prohibits the use of placement instruments to bar students from credit courses, students scoring below a minimum level could be advised of their non-credit options. Students who are encountering difficulty in credit classes should also be encouraged to enter the non-credit program. Credit faculty and counselors need to work with TS so that they can be relied on to make these referrals.
The task force recommends several strategies to address these issues.
| Goal Three: Establish linkages among CCSF programs
and outsides agencies, and provide
adequate resources to maintain them. |
Area of Concern Four:
Lack of Reliable Data and Accountability
The College will need to develop uniform means of measuring student
goal attainment and evaluate the effectiveness of the actions recommended
in this report on an on-going basis.
| Goal Four: Conduct systematic research to evaluate non-credit programs |
1. ESL Department Outcomes desired from Planning Task Force
2. Transitional Studies Department Outcomes desired from Planning Task
Force
3. Transitional Studies -Faculty Questionnaire Spring 1997
4. ESL Non-Credit Student Satisfaction Survey
5. ESL Non-Credit Student Satisfaction Survey Response Frequencies,
Responses by
Campus Spring 1997
6. Credit ESL Student Satisfaction Survey: Response Frequencies, Spring
1997
7. CCSF Credit ESL Course Completion-Report 956-01 August 1995
8. Non-Credit to Credit Articulation: The City College of
San Francisco Model.
Seymour, Scholnick, Gibson. 1995
9. Transitional Studies Program Review - Student Satisfaction Survey,
1997
10. CalWorks Data - Profile of CCSF Students Who Are TANF Recipients.
City
Currents, December 1997
11. Transitional Studies Programs and Locations Pamphlet
12. ESL Programs at CCSF Levels Feb. 1997
13. Vocational ESL (VESL) and Non-Credit ESL Levels
14. Chinatown/North Beach VESL office Training Program
15. VESL Projects for 1997-98 Descriptions
16. Non-Credit VESL Linkage Project
17. Vocational Education Program Guide, CCSF, November 1996.
18. Adult Vocational Interest Survey for ESL Students (ADVISE)
Career Link, CCSF, 1997.
19. ESL Bridge Course outline for Introductions to Microcomputers,
Fall 1994
20. Business Department Downtown Campus Schedule and Recommendations
21. Business Department John Adams Campus. Applications and Requirements
22. Non-Credit Business and Computer Classes at Chinatown/North Beach,
Fall 1997
23. CCSF Consumer Education Information, 1997
24. The Older Adults Department of CCSF Description and Schedule of
Classes 1997
25. Career Connection, Winter 1996
26. Student Focus Group Questions for Class Discussion, 1997