The assessment of student learning offers us an excellent opportunity for initiating a systematic and continuing process for gathering, interpreting, and using information that will result in educational improvement. Judging from the experiences of schools that have already implemented this assessment process, we expect this initiative to be a catalyst for many positive changes in Parkland's curriculum.
This assessment process will provide us with a framework for making day-to-day decisions within each department. It will also yield information to demonstrate to our students, district communities, state and federal agencies, and accrediting associations that we are fulfilling the promises of the College's mission and purposes statements.
Although we expect many questions about this assessment process, the Academic Assessment Committee is excited about the potential to make an excellent institution even better. Although a systematic process for assessing student learning is mandated by our accrediting associations, the Committee is dedicated to showing that the process will be valuable for the College. We certainly don't expect our initial plan to be perfect; however, we do expect that the process will be realistic; ongoing, and helpful in leading to the improvement of Parkland's educational offerings.
Mission & Purpose Statements
Parkland College is a comprehensive community college in Illinois dedicated
to providing programs and services of high quality to its students and committed
to continuous improvement, to academic achievement and its documentation,
and to the concept
of shared governance.
The following purposes are of equal importance in fulfilling the mission of Parkland College:
- To guide and assist students in becoming active, responsible, ethical,
and self disciplined citizens in our democratic society.
- To provide technical-vocational and career education that meets the
needs of students, business, and industry.
- To prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities.
- To provide developmental programs, courses, and services to prepare
students to pursue college-level work successfully.
- To develop and enrich students' general education, including effective
written and oral communication, mathematical, scientific, and computer
literacy, critical thinking, creativity and a recognition of the cultural
value of history, geography, literature, music, and art.
- To provide lifelong learning opportunities for students to explore
their potential, abilities, and interests.
- To provide counseling, advising, assessment, and guidance services
to help students attain their educational goals.
- To provide support services to enhance students' learning experiences,
to promote personal growth, and to supply employment information and
placement assistance.
- To actively engage members of the college community in the process
of developing an appreciation for cultural diversity.
- To expand global awareness by providing opportunities for international
studies and experiences.
- To provide a climate, both in and out of the classroom, for the discussion
of ideas, concerns and social issues.
- To provide services, training, programs, and resources to the public
and to business, industry, agriculture, and labor that promote the
intellectual, cultural, and economic development of Illinois Community
College District 505.
- To provide a nurturing, quality work environment for all college personnel and to provide professional development opportunities to help meet the challenges of changes in technology, student needs, resource-delivery systems, and District demographics.