Responses

Melvina Discussion:

Week 10 Reflection

1. What is the purpose of program evaluation?

            Program evaluation is a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and using data to answer the fundamental question regarding a program. The purposes are not for critique or to raise fears but to find out how the program is performing and opportunities for improvements. Program evaluation helps the program managers find out "what works" and "what does not work." With this, they can capitalize on what is benefiting the program and also find a means to improve. Additionally, through a program evaluation, the management can know the effectiveness of a program to the stakeholders and also monitor progress toward objectives more effectively and efficiently.

2. What was the program's level of quality? What data from your evaluation indicated this level?

            Jamestown College BA Mathematics program has tried to align its goals and objectives with the institutional goals and vision. The program has its strengths and weaknesses as well. However, its performance is not the best, I would recommend that they capitalize on their strengths and use the resources available to make improvements on their weaknesses. The performance in meeting their learning outcomes are poor which the proof of the poor performance and poor feedback have been recorded by the students. Based on the programs performance, it is evident that the program's objectives are not in line with the institutional goals such as; increasing the enrollment rate, promoting academic quality, and enhancing the curriculum.

3. How might your recommendations improve the program?

In my evaluation process, I offered three recommendations; remaining enterprising, persistent in its recruiting efforts, and increase the undergraduate enrollment rate. The program must ensure that its instructional and teaching techniques are student-centered. It should assist the student in gaining a solid understanding of the modules as well as developing a clear and precise approach to assessing student learning. With the effective implementation of these recommendations; the program will be able to improve its effectiveness, the students will have a better experience, and it will meet its objectives. These three recommendations will not only help the program in meeting its learning outcomes but also meet the institutional goals in totality.

Hannah Discussion:

The purpose of Program Evaluation is to systematically collect data, analyze results, and implement change in order to increase the effectiveness and quality of a program and an institution. In the case of Jamestown College’s BA in Mathematics program, enrollments and success rates were decreasing and the institution decided that change needed to happen and began an evaluation. Jamestown College’s hope was to improve its program so that they could increase graduate success rates and align with its mission, vision, and goals which, in summation, state a focus on providing a high-quality education that will prepare graduates for a globalized job market and world.  

At the beginning of the evaluation, the program itself was rather weak. Data collected from the institution indicated that enrollment in the program decreased by more than 30% over a five-year period, the program was not meeting standards set by accreditors, and courses being offered to program participants were not preparing program graduates for a technology-driven employment market. Data also showed that average grades and GPAs were relatively low which reflects a weak program.  

For this program evaluation, three recommendations were made. The first recommendation is that Jamestown College develop and implement an effective course evaluation process. Next, Jamestown College will increase professional development opportunities, with a focus on increasing instructional technologies, and hire two more full-time professors to teach new courses such as Computer Programming. Lastly, Jamestown College will create a comprehensive program plan to help students find more success in the program. These recommendations will improve the program by making it more effective in preparing students for a globalized job market and society. Improving this program at Jamestown will also help improve the institution as a whole and could begin to help increase enrollment rates in other programs at the institution.