Last Spring 2004, Indian River Community College participated in the national Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE).  The purpose of participating in the national survey is to examine IRCC’s performance in areas critical to the quality of teaching and learning and to compare that performance to community colleges nationally.  After receiving the national results, the College developed five benchmarks for student success:

·        Active and Collaborative Learning

·        Student Effort

·        Academic Challenge

·        Student/Faculty Interaction

·        Support for Learners

The English/Modern Language Department has taken initiative to respond to these benchmarks.  Faculty members collaborated on the following responses:

I.  Active and Collaborative Learning

IRCC English department addresses these benchmarks through the traditional lecture format, as well as interactive discussion, collaborative learning, and oral presentations.  In ENC 1101 and ENC 1102, students are assigned group presentations that require students to work with one another.  Additionally, the English/Modern Language Department has instituted a service learning project, and students enrolled in Spanish classes have regular intercommunication with ESL students, each mentoring the other in both academic and real life situations. 

II.  Student Effort

English/Modern Language Department treats writing and oral communication as skilled crafts; therefore, students are encouraged to write multiple drafts with a view toward correcting errors and polishing syntax to create a document that is both academic and representative of the student's voice. 

Research is encouraged in 1101 courses and required in 1102 courses.  Because research is taught in progressive stages, students are not overwhelmed with the whole research project at once.  Assigning small pieces of the whole encourages students to complete assignments, incorporate collaborative learning, visit the Academic Support Center, and take advantage of computer facilities.  The department members' agendas are bigger than their syllabi:  They want their students' lives to change.  Instructors know that lives are changed through reading, and each professor strives to present literary and composition material with enthusiasm and personal investment to encourage students to read more and write better.

III.  Academic Challenge

ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 challenge students academically.  ENC 1101 encourages students to write expository and persuasive essays with clear, concise prose.  ENC 1102 forces students to make the leap from expository essays to analytical essays.  Students must synthesize information, evaluate materials, and craft an argument to defend the thesis.  The course requires extensive reading, a lengthy paper, and multiple drafts, which requires significant amounts of time for study.  Students in ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 are involved in class discussion; teachers stress the importance of providing detailed support for any conclusions the student has drawn within discussion.  

IV.  Student/Faculty Interaction 

All professors have email addresses, websites, and all of them are required to check their emails on a daily basis.  Each instructor must maintain ten hours of office time per week that is dedicated to assisting students with grades, assignments, and composition topics.  Instructors are required to return graded essays and tests to students in no more than one week.  All instructors serve on student-related committees to assist intercommunication between student and professor.  Teachers also keep in contact with students through Early Alert.  Early Alert is a program that enables professors to notify students of failing grades, giving students a chance to improve or withdraw.

V.  Support for Learners

All instructors are aware of educational services and financial aid faculty.  Professors eagerly recommend students to these areas to help them succeed at the College.  The department chair works closely with Educational Services to communicate specific course requirements and expectations so that advisors can help assign students to classes where they will most likely succeed. 

Additionally, the English/Modern Language Department provides support for learners by offering classes in multiple formats.  Students may enroll in Internet, blended, television, traditional, nine-week mini-mesters, or thirteen-week Internet express courses.  The Department also offers specialty courses in film, script writing, children’s literature, and multi-cultural families in literature, and creative writing to assist students pursuing English degrees.  Students may enroll in CLAST (College-Level Academic Skills Test) courses, which may increase student success on the exit exam.