HR Newsletters 2021

What’s Happening in the World of Curriculum?

Dr. LaToya Sterling

T he Office of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment is committed to delivering top quality services to the colleges in the great state of Mississippi. Our goal is to have top-notch students work-ready on day one! The staff in the Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment are working like bees to research, revise, and create curriculums. Covid-19 has not stopped our flow, but we have a new normal. Our meetings are taking place via zoom ver- sus our traditional face to face meetings. It has been great working with our colleges and industry partners. They have been able to adapt to the new normal which has allowed us to meet with industry representa- tives who otherwise would not have been able to attend the meetings. We are always vigilant and mindful of current trends, board policies, and cutting edge innovations that may come about in our state. It is our duty to our state, industry, students’, and community colleges to research and keep a relationship with various boards, industry representatives, and our community college col- leagues. This academic year we have over 15-curriculums on the schedule for revision, updates, or the creation of new programs. This is not to mention those that may come about due to industry needs or new trends. We have met with all colleges to receive input from them on ideas for new programs and or curriculum. We are always open to new thoughts and/or ideas. Colleges are aware of our multiple exit points, which provides flexibility within the 15-hour options along with the 30-45-60 model. There are also additional options for an accelerated certificate, work-ready certificate, career, and technical options depending on programs. One of the major components in our curriculum design is allowing flexibility to our colleges to meet the needs of the industry. Our curriculums are industry-driven. Each college has craft committees that we meet with to discuss various board priorities, company or business trends, best practices, and work-ready out- comes. Also, when writing a curriculum, we crosswalk our student learning outcomes with national standards or state board standards to ensure our curriculums are preparing students for national or state certifications. We recognize that many industry partners need different student learning outcomes in different parts of our state. Our curriculum design allows the flexibility that our stakeholders need as well as the opportunity to fulfill the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) requirements.

Additionally, we can meet those needs with multiple options or new course re- questsif a curriculum is not yet up for revision. Our colleges also have the option of including up to 25% in a course.

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