It may seem ironic that we have chosen the theme “Celebrating Success” for this year, in light of the looming budget crisis and increasing demands for more “accountability” and “productivity.”
Let me assure you that we did so after considerable deliberation and reflection. Certainly we are facing what promises to be the most challenging Regular Session of our careers—no doubt about it. But our success is also obvious if you look at the results of Closing the Gaps after ten years of implementation, and the countless initiatives that are achieving tangible results.
Of course it is one thing to enroll students and quite another to keep them in school until graduation. This is the current challenge, and faculty members are understandably concerned about recent policies and proposals from Austin designed to move students through the higher education pipeline with more transparency and efficiency.
Part of our job is to point out the implications and likely—if unintended—consequences of the now-fashionable “business model” approach to higher education. This means getting our point of view as practitioners across.
The graduates of our colleges must possess the skills and knowledge that will be necessary in the future economy. This requires upholding rigorous academic standards. The alternative is disaster, for all of us. Such a message ought to be an easy sell, but getting it across is difficult in the fog of apprehension over all levels of education these days.
Sometimes faculty members are seen collectively as obstacles to change and reform. But I am here to tell all who will listen that community college teachers are gushing with new ideas. In the field of developmental education alone, it is hard to keep track of all the “best practices” out there. If you want a sample from a host of disciplines, please have a look at The Network (which is administered by TCCTA’s Foundation), available here.
As a personal example, I teach many online courses, using materials and methods that were never imagined when I began my career. And my story is typical. It is rare to find an instructor who never changes content or methodology.
Speaking of new ideas, we are making a change regarding the general session of the 2011 convention in San Antonio. Instead of a keynote address, we plan to showcase a portfolio of approaches that are currently achieving demonstrable results at campuses around the country, including here in Texas. You’ll see what we mean by “Celebrating Success” if you join us in the Alamo City, on January 27-29, at the beautiful Marriott Rivercenter Hotel. Here's a link to the annual convention's growing list of programs.
There is no single panacea or cookie-cutter framework that is suitable for higher education’s challenges. Success has many colors, shapes, and shades, but it is best driven by educators. And we need increased legislative support for the celebration to be complete.
To help achieve this, TCCTA has begun an unprecedented initiative to generate grass roots communication during the forthcoming Regular Session, including a network of “first responders” on campus. These individuals will be prepared to react quickly to timely messages from the state office, in consultation with Beaman Floyd, our lobbyist. The strength of our association has always been its membership and we intend to take full advantage of this strength. Please watch for our communications in the weeks ahead.
I have been a community college faculty member for many years and, while our challenges our formidable, I know that the future health and prosperity of our society hinges upon our success. Failure is not an option.
Join us. Stay informed. Get involved. And please contact our state office if we can be of any assistance.
Fred Newbury
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