Review Assessment Report

Part 1: Contact & Program Identification

Report Year and Contact Information
Academic Year	Modified By	Date Modified
2021-2022	[email protected]	2022-10-17T14:48:56.539Z

School	Name of Program	Courses
HWPS	Paralegal Studies AAS Degree	BCIS 1110,BCIS 2220,BUSA 1115,ENGL 1120,PHIL 1120,PL 1110,PL 1120,PL 1130,PL 1140,PL 2098,PL 2120,PL 2130,PL 2140,PL 2150,PL 2160,PL 2220,PL 2240,PSYC 1110

Part 2: Program Summary

Provide a high level review of the program to include highlights, successes, challenges, significant changes, and significant resources needed to support the program
The Paralegal program continues to have challenges. Enrollment in the firs two PL courses is high and the challenge continues to ensure that students continue with the program through the upper level courses to completion. The program is participating in all outreach events offered to continue attracting students into the program. This includes participation at high school career fairs; other career fairs and other opportunities to attract students. The program offers a quality education, faculty are qualified and motivated, and students are excited about the program once enrolled. The program provides a valuable option for students interested in entering the legal field.

Provide a high level review of the program to include highlights, successes, challenges, significant changes, and significant resources needed to support the program

The Paralegal program continues to have challenges. Enrollment in the firs two PL courses is high and the challenge continues to ensure that students continue with the program through the upper level courses to completion. The program is participating in all outreach events offered to continue attracting students into the program. This includes participation at high school career fairs; other career fairs and other opportunities to attract students. The program offers a quality education, faculty are qualified and motivated, and students are excited about the program once enrolled. The program provides a valuable option for students interested in entering the legal field.

Part 3: Data Review

	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022
Annual number of graduate awards is greater than 10	11	11	6
Number of declared majors	168	161	152
Average Class Size	22.3	20.9	20
Annual Average Class withdrawal rate is 30% or below (SAGE 35%)	14%	13%	13%
Annual C-Pass rate for coursework is 60% or above	73%	69%	69%
Average class fill rate at 60% or above capacity within a term or over a year	81%	77%	74%
Graduate Transfer to 4-year Schools	0%	n/a	n/a
Full-time Faculty Coverage by Section	49%	47%	17%

Summarize how your program met or did not meet the target measures based on the data above
Note: This data includes metrics from courses that are required for the PL AAS degree (BCIS 1110, BCIS 2220, BUSA 1115, ENGL 1120, PHIL 1120) and are courses required in other degrees. Thus, the averages for the PL courses are inflated because of the metrics included from the above noted courses. Average class fill rate at 60% or above capacity: Met for each of the last 3 academic years. Annual retention rate is 70% or above (SAGE 65%): Met for each of the last 3 academic years. Annual C-pass rate for coursework is 60% or above: Met for each of the last 3 academic years. Annual number of graduates is greater than 10 (for degree and certificate programs only): Met for each of the last 2 academic years. 2021-2022 was down and less than 10. This could be due to the overall low enrollment numbers in the program itself. Fall 2022 enrollment is promising and it is expected that this metric will be met in the next academic year.

Summarize how your program met or did not meet the target measures based on the data above

Note: This data includes metrics from courses that are required for the PL AAS degree (BCIS 1110, BCIS 2220, BUSA 1115, ENGL 1120, PHIL 1120) and are courses required in other degrees. Thus, the averages for the PL courses are inflated because of the metrics included from the above noted courses. Average class fill rate at 60% or above capacity: Met for each of the last 3 academic years. Annual retention rate is 70% or above (SAGE 65%): Met for each of the last 3 academic years. Annual C-pass rate for coursework is 60% or above: Met for each of the last 3 academic years. Annual number of graduates is greater than 10 (for degree and certificate programs only): Met for each of the last 2 academic years. 2021-2022 was down and less than 10. This could be due to the overall low enrollment numbers in the program itself. Fall 2022 enrollment is promising and it is expected that this metric will be met in the next academic year.

Part 4: Program Learning Outcome Analysis

Learning Outcome	Population or Course(s) Assessed	Description	Summary of Assessment Results
Demonstrate proficiency in using technology, including legal research skills.	PL1140 Legal R/W 1;PL2140 Legal R/W 2;PL2240 Computer Applications in the Law
Have knowledge of the ethical responsibilities affecting paralegals and attorneys with emphasis on the prohibitions against unauthorized practice of law	PL1120 Intro to PL StudiesPL2098 Internship
Master effective communication skills: oral, interpersonal, and written.	PL1140 Legal R/W 1;PL2140 Legal R/W 2;PL2098 Internship

Interpretation of Assessment findings
PL 1140 Assessment: A- 19%; B- 31%; C - 12%; F - 37% PL 2140 Assessment: A - 60%; B - 25%; C - 15% PL 2240 Assessment: A - 47%; B - 29%; C 12% PL 1120 Assessment: A - 62%; B- 24%; C - 8% PL2098 Assessment: A - 100% The learning outcomes appear to be met across the board with the exception of PL 1140 which has a high fail rate. We need to look into the cause of this, whether it is the material or students dropping after the drop date. The other assessed courses appear to meeting the pass rate metrics.

Interpretation of Assessment findings

PL 1140 Assessment: A- 19%; B- 31%; C - 12%; F - 37% PL 2140 Assessment: A - 60%; B - 25%; C - 15% PL 2240 Assessment: A - 47%; B - 29%; C 12% PL 1120 Assessment: A - 62%; B- 24%; C - 8% PL2098 Assessment: A - 100% The learning outcomes appear to be met across the board with the exception of PL 1140 which has a high fail rate. We need to look into the cause of this, whether it is the material or students dropping after the drop date. The other assessed courses appear to meeting the pass rate metrics.

Part 5: Additional Action Plan in Support of Student Learning (If Appropriate)

Upcoming Year	Changes Planned for the upcoming year	Data Motivating this change
2021-2022	With the goal of retention of current students, the process will involve contacting students at key points in their academic program to encourage them to plan their academic program through to graduation and to enroll early in PL courses. Contact will occur as they enter the PL program and complete the first two PL course in the program; then again as they complete the second two courses in the PL program.	Enrollment in general is up, but completion rates need to be addressed. Encouraging students to think long term will assist in enrollment in upper lever courses and completion rates.
2021-2022
2021-2022

Please select all of the following that characterize the types of changes described in the above action plan

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