Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 5 of The Illinois Commitment
Richard J. Daley College Mathematics Professor, Dr. Vali Siadat,
Recognized as the Illinois Professor of the Year
CCC - Richard J. Daley College
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
Policy Area Five explicitly called upon colleges to have systematic assessment of student learning outcomes
while holding students to ever higher expectations for learning. Dr. Vali Siadat introduced to Daley College
math classrooms the Keystone method, a systematic assessment of student learning, which emphasized frequent
quizzes on course content. The method of frequent quizzes held students to high expectations for learning.
Description of the effective practice:
Students who enrolled in math courses that used the Keystone methods adhered to strict policies of attendance
and participation. Strict attendance policies helped students to maintain the pace of learning in their courses.
Strict participation policies helped students focus their attention on learning. Frequent in-class quizzes gave
Math instructors immediate feedback on students’ mastery of the course content. The quick feedback from
quizzes equipped instructors to adjust classroom activity as appropriate.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
Other faculty can receive pedagogical training in Keystone methods. To the extent that other faculty members
adopt the methods, the practice is sustainable.
What are the results/measurable outcomes?
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of
Education awarded Dr. Siadat Illinois Professor of the Year in recognition of his ability to provide high quality
learning experiences in Mathematics.
Contact Information
Name: Dr. Sylvia Ramos
Email: sramos@ccc.edu
Phone: (773) 838-7511
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