Addendum with evidence (8.2 MB) - Accreditation - Bakersfield ...

in Teaching,” and the AAHE “9 Principles of Good Practice for Assessing Student Learning” are
all essential for improving student outcomes.
8. Technology The College will increasingly depend upon technological solutions in order to
effectively satisfy the continued demand for student learning programs and services. If the College
is going to serve increasing numbers of students and operate more efficiently, it will prioritize,
improve, and protect its technological resources. In this regard, the College and the District will
commit to a thorough examination of core processes and systems to assure appropriate applications
of technology for continuous improvement of College efficiency and effectiveness.
9. Articulation Fiscal restraints and accountability pressures require stronger articulation and
coordination of programs and services across the entire K-16 public education system, including the
colleges within the Kern Community College District. The College can expect more of its students
enrolling in more than one institution while pursuing their educational goals among the three
KCCD colleges and among other colleges and universities. It is therefore imperative to more
closely align and coordinate the curriculum and core educational processes across the higher
education system within the Kern service area and beyond to improve student success and goal
achievement.
10. Diversity The community and the College are becoming more and more diverse under the impact
of globalization, demographic change, and the increasing variety of socio-economic and other needs
inherent in the students who enroll in this open access institution. A recent study of diversity in
California community colleges estimates that as many as 27 percent of first-time students are
immigrants, a fact which is reflective of the trend impacting Bakersfield College. This growing
population often needs special attention through heightened services and carefully crafted
curriculum that addresses their unique needs. Bakersfield College is firmly committed to assuring
such equitable access, support, and success for all students and to directly addressing the value of
diversity in the curriculum, in student support services, and in the hiring of faculty and staff.
11. Community College Value Local California taxpayers and the stewards of their money in
Sacramento must be educated as to the exceptional return on investment for every dollar invested in
a community college. A groundbreaking socio-economic model used in 350 community colleges
across North America has found that there is a tremendous return for every taxpayer dollar invested
in a community college.
This message is further substantiated in the “Closing the College Participation Gap - State Profile
for California.” In addition to making a strong case about the need to expand California postsecondary
access by an additional 582,000 students beyond its current capacity, the study states
that:
States and the nation as a whole also reap substantial rewards from having a welleducated
citizenry. Personal incomes tend to rise with each step up the education ladder.
Among the many perks that flow to states are increased tax revenues, shrinking welfare
rolls and reduced child poverty rates, to name a few.
Community colleges promote exceptional contributions to society from their graduates by:
• Promoting economic development and growth – increasing tax revenues by direct
investment into the state’s economy and by the increased income and resultant spending by
community college students
70