INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE / DECEMBER 11, 1990

 

 

 

Mapie Ridge Developmental Studies Program Review

This review was concluded in
June 1990 and the several
recommendations made in the
summary are being put into
practice for the Fall 1990 and
Spring 1991.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Maple Ridge Developmen-
tal Studies program is a small unit
operating in collaboration with the
School District #42 Continuing
Education ABE program at the
Maple Ridge Centre. Since its in-
ception in 1981, it has expanded
twice to meet the community
demand for college-sponsored
upgrading programs. Surveys of
community agencies and groups,
and of past and present students,
conducted during the unit review
indicated good levels of satisfac-
tion with the program, although
several potential referring agencies
were unaware of the program’s ex-
istence in the community.

Until recently, the DVST pro-
gram has enjoyed full enrollment.
Since September, 1989, the pro-
gram has experienced a substan-
tial decline in enrollment while the
Maple Ridge Schoo! District Con-
tinuing Education ABE program
enrollment has nearly tripled.
However, given the existing rates
of formal education levels of resi-
dents in the area and the an-
ticipated population growth, it is
reasonable to expect continued
demand for college upgrading in
the Maple Ridge area.

The issue which emerged as
central to all other questions relat-
ing to the operation of DVST at
Maple Ridge was the collaborative
program model. While this pro-
gram model enjoys the philosophi-
cal support and endorsation of
senior management, it appears
that the operation of the model
could be improved. The committee
has made a number of specific
recommendations to facilitate a
more effective operation of the col-
laborative program.

The opening of Thomas
Haney Centre in Maple Ridge will

mark the beginning ofanewerain 4

the operation of the college in that
community. An awareness of the
pending changes underlies the
committee’s recommendations for
future directions of DVST
programming at Maple Ridge.
The recommendations of the
committee are as follows:

1. The college should continue to
provide and expand its
Developmental Studies
program in Maple Ridge.
Available statistics on levels of
formal education, population
growth, and increased demand
for upgrading indicate a
persistent need for a Douglas
College Developmental Studies
presence in Maple Ridge.

2. The college should address
issues related to the operation
of the collaborative model for
the school district Adult Basic
Education and college
Developmental Studies
program. There is a need for
articulation of various parts of
the model:

a. program offerings
b. intake and assessment
c. scheduling of courses

d. delivery mode of courses and
support services

e. physical space and supplies

f. use of common space and
equipment

Respective faculties, staff, and
administration should be kept
informed as to the articulation
and revisions to the operation
of the model.

3. Cooperative staff training
workshops with Continuing
Education, Developmental
Studies, and academic advisors
should be held. The training
should include such topics as
the basis for program referral,
scheduling, explanation of
initial intake procedures,

content of courses, and mode of
delivery of various courses.

As an outcome of the
articulation process, joint group
advising sessions should be
available for potential learners
who are interested either in
school district or Douglas
college ABE programs.

5. When the collaborative model
has been articulated to the
satisfaction of Continuing
Education and Developmental
Studies, regular and
comprehensive information
sessions should be scheduled
for referring agencies and
community groups, alternative
program personnel, and the
community at large.

6. Promotion of all DVST
programs within the college
region should focus special
attention on the Maple Ridge
program. Where feasible,
promotions of Adult Basic
Education programming
should be implemented jointly
by Continuing Education and
the College.

7, Although senior administration
has expressed philosophical
support for the collaborative
program model, data from the
surveys indicates that on-going
practical support should be a
priority.

8. The committee supports the
college’s intention to appoint a
senior administrator with sole
responsibility to Douglas
College at the Thomas Haney
Centre. This appointment
should be made without delay.

9. DVST instructors who wish to
teach in both sites should be
supported and encouraged to
do so.

10. Method of intake, whether
continuous or otherwise,
should be matched to the
nature of the course offering.

continued on page 11

 

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