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General Education

The General Education Assessment plan at Bismarck State College is termed the A-C-T plan.  The three-year plan centers on the three general education areas of Awareness, Communication and Thought.  These are the three broad areas of emphasis in Bismarck State College's Philosophy of General Education.
 
Philosophy of General Education

Conceived in the 2006-2007 school year and implemented in the 2007-2008 school year, the intent is to repeat the A-C-T plan every three years.  Refer to the documents below for more information:
 
2007-2010 Timeline

Why the A-C-T plan?

The A-C-T plan is a result of faculty wide input.  At one faculty development session, the assessment committee posed this question to faculty, "What do we expect our students to learn in General Education at BSC?"  From that question, and the responses that followed, the A-C-T plan was born.  Home grown, faculty driven!

AWARENESS

The ability to successfully function in a diverse society requires knowledge and awareness.  As we assess awareness, we will look for:
  • Recognition of the diversity of people.
  • Examination of one's attitudes, values and assumptions.
  • Recognition of the impact of past events on contemporary society.
  • Knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in society.

2007-2008 Faculty
 
Rubrics
Diversity Rubric
Impact of Past Events Rubric
Attitudes Values Assumptions Rubric
Responsibilities of Citizens Rubric

COMMUNICATION

The ability to communicate one's thoughts to others is essential in interpersonal relationships, working environments, and civic duties. As we assess communication, we will look for:
  • Organization, clarity of thought, and presentation of oral and written communication.
  • Organization, presentation, and transfer of ideas by electronic means.
  • Communication of ideas and emotions through creative expression.

2008-2009 Faculty
 
Communication Faculty Group

Rubrics
Communication Oral and Written Rubric
Communication Creative Expression Rubric
Communication Electronic Rubric

THOUGHT

The ability to think in a manner that is imaginative, methodic, or even provocative can be the cornerstone of success for a student.  As we assess thought, we will look for:
  • Recognition of the impacts of technology on society and for the responsible and ethical use of technology.
  • Identification of a problem and an approach to the solution that is realistic and/or creative.
  • Recognition and analysis of arguments that support divergent theories and perspectives.
  • Interpretation of results and the reasonable drawing of conclusions.

2009-2010 Faculty
 
Thought Faculty Group

Rubrics
Divergent Theories
Problem & Solution
Results & Conclusions
Technology