Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is an essential part of the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
SACSCOC defines the QEP as a “carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a well-defined topic or issue related to enhancing student learning.”
After reviewing the data collected from the faculty, students, and community stakeholders, the QEP Design Team has defined OFTC’s QEP as “improving student comprehension in reading”.
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Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s (OFTC) Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Reading Transforms, strives to increase students’ reading comprehension. Three strategies will be implemented to achieve the QEP goal. The first two strategies, SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recall/Recite, Review) and Text Connections (text-to-text, text-to-self, text-to-work), will focus on implementing critical reading skills in the classroom. The third strategy will utilize the interactive learning program, CommonLit, to increase students’ reading comprehension.
In 2017, OFTC began preparations for selecting a topic for the college’s QEP. The process began with an examination of strategic initiatives, institutional data, and input from college constituencies. The Steering Committee reviewed institutional data that included student learning outcome results for general education courses and college placement exam score results. OFTC selected reading comprehension as the topic of focus. Reading Transforms will provide students with reading comprehension skills that can transform their learning and positively affect their future career success.
OFTC will monitor the overall QEP goal of increasing students’ reading comprehension scores by assessing degree-level students using the HEIghten exam and assessing diploma-level students using the TABE Level D Reading Survey. OFTC has collected baseline data and anticipates a one percent (1%) increase each year of implementation with both groups of students. Additionally, OFTC established six student learning outcomes that will be assessed throughout QEP implementation:
Students will apply the SQ3R strategy on a given passage as demonstrated by scoring at least 75% on a rubric.
Students will show an increased score between pre-diagnostic and post-diagnostic after learning the SQ3R strategy.
Students will apply the Text Connections strategy on a given passage as demonstrated by scoring at least 75% on a rubric.
Students will show an increased score between pre-diagnostic and post-diagnostic after learning the Text Connections strategy.
Students will apply reading strategies to answer questions generated by CommonLit and complete assignments assigned by instructor to score 75% or higher.
Students will show an increased score between pre-diagnostic and post-diagnostic after answering questions generated by CommonLit and completing assignments assessed by instructor.
To achieve these outcomes, OFTC faculty and staff will use and teach metacognitive strategies that promote reading comprehension skills. Professional development will be conducted early in the implementation process so faculty are prepared to use the identified teaching strategies in the classroom. Through the implementation of classroom reading comprehension strategies and use of an online learning platform, OFTC instructors will incorporate reading comprehension strategies to develop critical reading skills in students. Each strategy will begin with English or Psychology courses for diploma and degree seeking students. Inclusion of dual enrollment students and occupational courses will be phased in over a five-year period.
Direct instruction and encouragement of reading comprehension strategies will help students read with purpose and develop critical reading skills needed in the workforce. The Reading Transforms QEP supports the mission of OFTC by enhancing students’ reading skills, thereby enabling students to become better prepared employees. Therefore, the Reading Transforms QEP supports OFTC’s mission of “contribut[ing] to the economic and workforce development of east central Georgia.”
OFTC is creating a Quality Enhancement Plan to improve student success in reading.
The QEP tagline is: READING TRANSFORMS!
Choosing a Tagline & Logo
The OFTC QEP Marketing Committee met in September of 2018 to discuss potential tagline options to represent the College’s QEP. The group submitted ideas and chose a top three to submit to the Literature Review committee in October 2018 who chose ‘Reading Transforms.’ The Marketing Committee then created three logo options and asked all students and employees to vote in January 2019 using an online form for their favorite logo. The College received 229 total votes, with 145 choosing the ‘Reading Transforms’ logo.
All who voted were entered into a drawing to win an OFTC prize. Winners were announced on February 12, 2019 and the two students who claimed their prize were Michelle Lamb (Dublin Campus) and Amy Selph (OFTC’s Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center). Candis Lanier was the OFTC employee winner.
Literature Review Committee
Jacqueline Copenny – Chair
Saketha Adams
Saketta Brown
Katie Davis
Lauren Poss
Mark Stewart
Professional Development Committee
Sherry Yearty – Chair
Assistant Registrar (Vacant)
Kim Meeks
Brent Redfern
Cecelia Swanson
Angel Williford
Angie Yarbrough
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Emily Raley – Chair
Kim David
Patti Davis
Pam Dunn
Shemekia Gaston
Eriana Jackson
Lisa Jones
Lynn McDonald
Suann McNutt
Kim Meeks
Jennifer Todd
Ashley Wilbanks
Mary Woodard
Assessment & Data Collection Committee
Elizabeth Croome – Chair
Tammy Bayto
Brenda Gurr
Beverli Horton
Stan Lawson
Laura Layfield
Lecresicia Marion
Lee Radney
Tremayne Smith
Jennifer Thigpen
QEP Director
Dr. Jacqueline Copenny, Dean of Academic Affairs
Committee Members
Tammy Bayto, Dean of Academic Affairs
Elizabeth Croome, Grants Coordinator
Dr. Katie Davis, Vice President for Facilities, Planning, and Research
Michele Strickland, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Lee Radney, Dean of Academic Affairs
Tremayne Smith, Student Navigator
Angie Yarbrough, Business Technology Instructor
Sherry Yearty, Director of Institution
What is a QEP?
A Quality Enhancement Plan is a significant effort that SACSCOC-accredited colleges undertake each ten years to improve some aspect of student learning. The plan helps enhance student learning at OFTC by identifying a need or an area that presents opportunities for improvement to help students achieve their educational goals.
What is OFTC’s QEP topic?
“Reading Transforms”
What is SACSCOC?
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional accrediting body for degree-granting institutions of higher education in the Southern states of the U.S. Every 10 years, SACSCOC evaluates OFTC on a variety of standards to reaffirm accreditation, as it does with all its participating institutions.
What is accreditation and why is it important?
Accreditation is a way to assure that an educational institution is offering a quality education. The process includes research-based evaluation of the institution’s programs. SACSCOC lists the standards they require on their website, www.sacscoc.org.Accreditation is one way in which OFTC demonstrates quality to students, parents, and the community. Because OFTC is regionally accredited by SACSCOC, our students are eligible for federal financial aid. SACSCOC accreditation creates a pathway for students to have advanced educational opportunities.
When will the QEP be implemented?
Beginning in Fall 2021, OFTC will implement strategies to improve reading comprehension skills of all students.
