Section 4 Federal Requirements

4.1 When evaluating success with respect to student achievement in relation to the institution’s mission, the institution includes, as appropriate, consideration of course completion, state licensing examinations, and job placement rates.

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NARRATIVE:

Trinity Valley Community College utilizes a comprehensive institutional effectiveness process that involves planning, assessment, and improvement in the process of evaluating student achievement in relation to TVCC's mission [TVCC Board Policy BI (Local); Institutional Effectiveness].  Course completion, state licensing examination results, and job placement rates are an integral part of the institutional effectiveness process. 

Workforce education programs granting certificates and AAS Degrees are evaluated by course completion rates, placement rates, and certification or licensure exam rates, if applicable.  Programs must have a minimum completion rate of 15 graduates per three-year period and a minimum of 90% of graduates with successful outcomes (placed in jobs, enlisted in the military or pursued additional education within one year of graduation).  Each program can evaluate success by comparing performance measures to state averages or to higher outcome criteria chosen by the TVCC program. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Annual Data Profile (2003, 2004, 2005) provides this and other data to help colleges evaluate their programs. Additional measures of student success include retention and remediation of first-time college students from fall to spring, graduation by gender, ethnicity and special populations, and graduation/persistence and remediation for first time college students [TVCC Board Policy BIA (Legal), THECB Institutional Effectiveness Desk Review Report, 2002].

The Annual Data Profile is utilized to make program changes that will enhance the effectiveness of the programs. For example, the Agriculture/Ranch Management program did not meet the graduation rate criteria. One of the goals listed in the 2003-2004 Occupational Education program was to "[i]ncrease enrollment and graduation rate in the Associate of Applied Science Ranch Management program." The objectives were," (1) Expand the role of the Rodeo Club as a recruiting tool for students into the agriculture/ranch management program, (2) Develop recruiting brochures and literature for distribution to prospective students, (3) Visit all the high school agriculture programs in the TVCC service area and meet the high school faculty and students, (4) Increase utilization of the TVCC Ranch facilities for recruiting students, (5) Promote student participation and graduation in the Ranch Management certificate program, and (6) Promote student graduation by counseling with Ranch Management students that have completed 30 semester credit hours. Each of these objectives was implemented in the following year (Administrative Outcomes, Occupational Dean 2003-2004, Goal 7). Similar changes are documented in the Administrative Outcomes and Learning Enhancement Annual Plans of other programs.

The THECB publishes the Statewide Annual Licensure Report which allows comparison of licensure/certification rates of programs to statewide averages or to higher outcome criteria chosen by the program in their institutional effectiveness plans. Results for Cosmetology, EMT- Basic, EMT-Intermediate, EMT-Paramedic, RN, LVN, and nurse aide programs are included in this report. For 2004, the last year for which data is provided, half of the programs were above the state averages for certification/licensure rates.

The Statewide Licensure Report [Statement of Licensure Report (Table III) p. 196), (Table IV), pp. 381-382)] and other measures such as graduate surveys, Board of Nurse Examiners  and  NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN pass rates, EMS National Registry results, and Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Service (NACES) results are used to evaluate program success. When the outcomes are used as part of institutional effectiveness plans, they relate to the institutional mission to provide workforce education programs that meet the educational needs of students [Administrative Outcomes and Learning Enhancement Annual Plans (LEAPs) Website]. Faculty, division chairs, and deans identify areas of weakness with respect to any of the outcome measures and develop plans for improvements. The plans for improvement are discussed in faculty and division meetings and advisory committee meetings.

As an example, the ADN program identified course completion in the first semester of the program as a problem area in fall 2004. The retention rate in the fall of 2004 was 67%. An administrative outcome of 85% retention was set for the upcoming year. In the fall of 2005, the faculty implemented the “First Steps to Success” program. This program is the result of a retention grant received from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and it included the creation of two DVDs, one covering study skills, use of resources, note taking, stress management, and test taking strategies and another on basic nursing skills. Both DVDs could be taken home and watched as often as needed. It also included the purchase of computerized test-taking programs. The retention rate for fall of 2005 in the first semester was increased to 81%. While the goal was not quite reached, improvement over the previous year's rate was observed.

Another example includes the TVCC Emergency Medical Technology program. When the Texas Department of State Health Services changed from a state test to the National Registry test, the EMT program experienced a decrease in pass rates. In 2003-2004, the national average for EMT Basic pass rate was 63%, but the TVCC pass rate was 44%. The program set an administrative outcome goal of passing the National Registry exam within 5% of the national average (Administrative Outcomes, EMT Program 2004-2005, Goal 1). The EMT program coordinator was given a reduction in course load so he could visit all campuses and assist the other instructors in improving their testing. Another instructor was made full-time. Instructors strived to make questions on their exams more like the National Registry questions. Resources were obtained to help improve the construction of test items writing. In 2004-2005, the TVCC pass rate increased from 44% to 69%, five points higher than the national average that year of 64%. Because of the administrative outcome process, current plans are in place to improve the paramedic pass rate (Administrative Outcomes, EMT Program 2005-2006, Outcome 18 ).

With respect to degrees intended for transfer, TVCC evaluates success by analyzing transfer rates (Annual Data Profile 2003, 2004, 2005) and the grade point average of TVCC students who transfer to certain universities against other community colleges (Transfer GPA Data).

Additionally, the Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB) requests that student outcomes are reported with respect to transfer, licensure, and graduation (Legislative Budget Board Reports). For FY 2005, TVCC awarded 1,298 degrees or certificates, and 1,052 students transferred to a public university of Texas (above the target of 938). Aggregate licensure rates are also reported, with the pass rates normally falling between 80% to 90%. This most recent year indicates a drop from that rate; however, the data do not reflect all of the licensure activity for TVCC (Legislative Budget Board Reports).

DOCUMENTATION:

4.2 The institution maintains a curriculum that is directly related and appropriate to its purpose and goals and to diplomas, certificates, or degrees awarded.

Trinity Valley Community College's official mission statement [TVCC Catalog (p. 11)] reads as follows: “Trinity Valley Community College is a learning-centered college that provides quality academic, workforce, and community service programs to meet the educational needs of our students and the citizens of our service area” and is the pledge the College makes to its constituency. The Statement of Purpose [TVCC Catalog (p. 11)] further describes the guiding principles by which the College operates. One of the purposes of TVCC is “to prepare students for employment through completion of academic and workforce programs leading to the Associate of Arts degree, an Associate of Applied Science degree, or a Certificate of Completion.” Degree plans are delineated in the TVCC Catalog (pg 75-121).

Associate degree plans are designed according to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Rules and comply with the general education requirements of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Associate of Arts degree includes courses approved by the THECB and listed in the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM).  All common courses listed in the ACGM are identified by numbers assigned by the Texas Common Course Numbering System which facilitates transfer of lower-division courses [Academic Course Guide Manual (pp. 16-227, 202-209)]. The Associate of Applied Science degree plans and Certificates of Completion are approved through the process described in the THECB's Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education Chapter 3 and Chapter 5.

Data from the 2004 THECB College Profile Report indicate that TVCC exceeds the number of graduates when compared to colleges with a similar student headcount.

Table X. TVCC Graduates Compared to Peer Graduates, fall 2004

Each degree includes a general education component that meets the compliance requirements of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the core curriculum requirement of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The core curriculum consists of 44 hours of humanities, communication, mathematics, natural sciences, visual and performing arts, and social and behavioral sciences [TVCC Catalog (p. 64), THECB Rules 4.28, THECB Rules 4.23, (Items 3-5)].  See also Comprehensive Standard 2.7.3. The Curriculum and Instruction Committee, composed of faculty, staff, and instructional administrators, reviews and approves courses, programs, and degrees.  New programs or revised programs are reviewed by the Committee. If the changes involve the addition of a new program, radical revision of a course or program, or changes to the core curriculum, recommendations are submitted to the president and the Board of Trustees for approval.

DOCUMENTATION:

4.3 The institution makes available to students and the public current academic calendars, grading policies, and refund policies. 

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NARRATIVE:

Trinity Valley Community College's current academic calendar is published in the TVCC Academic Schedule (Fall 2005, Spring 2006), TVCC Catalog, and on the TVCC Website. Grading policies and refund policies are published in the TVCC Catalog and on the TVCC Website. The academic calendar, grading policies, and refund policies are in keeping with generally accepted practices of higher education and mandates by state law. The TVCC student services offices on the Athens campus are located on the first floor of the Orval Pirtle Administration Building for a “One Stop Shop” concept. Key student services offices in the building include school relations, registrar, counseling and guidance, financial aid, and housing. When visitors enter the front door of the building, they come face-to-face with the school relations office. College publications, including catalogs, class schedules, admissions applications, and departmental brochures are distributed to students as requested. The school relations receptionist is available to answer questions and refer the visitor to other offices upon request.  The school relations office is responsible for corresponding with potential students who request college information via e-mail, telephone, or in writing.  The information offices at Palestine, Terrell, and Kaufman campuses are responsible for distributing college-published materials to the students they serve. Offices at these locations are also highly visible, with services being located within the same building. More than 10,000 printed catalogs and 18,000 Academic Schedules are distributed annually to students. Distance learning students can access the TVCC Website for catalog and schedule information.

DOCUMENTATION:

4.4 The institution demonstrates that program length is appropriate for each of the degrees offered.  

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NARRATIVE:

Workforce education degree programs offered at Trinity Valley Community College adhere to the length requirements established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in the Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education (GIPWE). The GIPWE requires the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree workforce education program length to range from 60 to 72 semester credit hours. The GIPWE stipulates the level one certificate must consist of at least 15 and no more that 42 semester credit hours. A level two certificate must consist of at least 43 and no more than 59 semester credit hours.

Academic degree programs offered at TVCC adhere to the length requirements established by the THECB guidelines THECB Rules (Chapter 9, Subchapter J; Academic Associate Degree Programs). An academic associate degree must consist of 60 to 66 semester credit hours or 90 to 99 quarter credit hours.

All TVCC degree programs meet the THECB program length requirements. The length of TVCC degree programs, including the course requirements, is listed in the TVCC Catalog (pp. 64-74). TVCC's compliance with this statement is more fully documented in Comprehensive Standard 2.7.1.

DOCUMENTATION:

4.5 The institution has adequate procedures for addressing written student complaints and is responsible for demonstrating that it follows those procedures when resolving student complaints. (See Commission policy A The Review of Complaints Involving the Commission or its Accredited Institutions.) 

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Trinity Valley Community College endorses and adheres to the Commission on Colleges policy “The Review of Complaints Involving the Commission or its Accredited Institutions.” The Grievance Procedure policy, as stated in the TVCC Catalog (p. 53), is to secure prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints at the first possible level, including those alleging discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. If the complaint involves a grade, then the Academic Appeals committee is contacted as stated on TVCC Catalog (p. 52). Students are informed of these procedures in TVCC Board Policy FLD (Legal) and TVCC Board Policy FLDA (Legal).

If a student has a complaint, the student must first make a written complaint to the appropriate lowest level administrator (level one). The administrator must respond in writing to the student. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the lowest level administrator, the student may appeal to the appropriate dean or vice president for remedy to the alleged problem (level two). If the complaint is not resolved to the student's satisfaction at level two, the student may appeal to the president for resolution of the alleged problem (level three). If the president fails to remedy the student complaint, he may appeal to the board of trustees for resolution (level four). Each level of hearings gives the student due process.

In the past three years, there have been five academic appeal cases with one case being decided in favor of the student. There have been no grievance cases filed in the past three years.  

DOCUMENTATION:

4.6 Recruitment materials and presentations accurately represent the institution's practices and policies. 

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NARRATIVE:

Trinity Valley Community College exhibits integrity and responsibility in advertising, student recruitment, and representation of accreditation status and adheres to the principles of good practice established by the Commission on Colleges. TVCC's school relations and public information and publications offices ensure that information describing the college accurately represent the practices and policies at TVCC. The school relations office is responsible for disseminating recruitment materials to potential students. A variety of materials is sent to prospective students. These include departmental brochures such as the Scholarship Brochure, Football Recruiting Brochure, Theater Department Brochure, Adult Education Brochure, Ag-Ranch Management Brochure, Honors Brochure, ADN Brochure, and Music Department Brochure (see Comprehensive Standard 3.4.3 for additional examples of departmental brochures). The TVCC Catalog, Academic Schedule and general brochures such as the TVCC Fact Sheet, College Brochure and Alumni Specialties Brochure are also provided. The director of school relations is the college's primary recruiter. She visits 27 high schools in the TVCC service area on a regular basis in order to provide college readiness assistance to school officials and students. Additionally, the school relations director recruits outside of the TVCC service area. She participates in recruitment fairs and college day activities at more than 35 locations.

The public information officer is responsible for print, radio and television advertising. Prior to each registration period, appropriate ads are placed in the various media that reflect TVCC programs and offerings (Spring 2005 Ad, Fall 2005 Ad).

The publications office coordinates the printing of all official publications of TVCC. Whether the publications are printed in the TVCC graphic and print design office or by outside printers, the work is bid and production supervised by the public information officer. This officer reports to the dean of planning and institutional effectiveness.

DOCUMENTATION:

4.7 The institution publishes the name of its primary accreditor and its address and phone number. (The publication of this information is presented so that it is clear that inquiries to the Commission should relate only to the accreditation status of the institution, and not to general admission information). 

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TVCC publishes its SACS accreditation information in the following locations: TVCC Catalog (p.1), the TVCC Academic Schedule [Fall 2005 (p. 3); Spring 2006 (p. 3)], and the College Website (Accreditation Disclosure on the Web). The following statement appears in all of these publications.

Trinity Valley Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, telephone number 404-679-4501) to award the Associate of Arts degree, Associate of Science degree, and Associate of Applied Science degree.

The TVCC Website notifies students that contact with SACS should relate only to the accreditation status of the College, informing them that general admissions information should be directed to the TVCC school relations office.

DOCUMENTATION:

4.8 The institution is in compliance with its program responsibilities under Title IV of the 1998 Higher Education Amendments. (In reviewing the institution's compliance with these program responsibilities, the Commission relies on documentation forwarded to it by the U.S. Secretary of Education).

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NARRATIVE:

Trinity Valley Community College is in compliance with its program responsibilities under Title IV of the 1998 Higher Education Amendments as evidenced by external audits for the years ended August 31, 2003,  2004, and 2005. These audits resulted in no negative findings respective to financial statements, federal awards, or questioned costs. The review of our compliance with Title IV is a part of the annual audit and is reported as a component of the Annual Financial Report. The components of the Annual Financial Report that are relevant to Title IV are as follows: