WTCS TSA Assessment Plan Approval Request Form

1 WTCS TSA Development Plan Approval Request Form Phase I – System Level 3/23/11

WTCS TSA Development Plan Approval Request Form Phase I

(1)Program Title: Paralegal Program Number: 10-110-1 (2) Program Status (please check one)

Multi-College Aligned Multi-College Non-Aligned Single College

(3) College(s) offering the program:

BTC CVTC FVTC GTC

LTC MATC – MSDN MATC – MILW MPTC

MSTC NATC NTC NWTC

SWTC WCTC WITC WTC

(4) If Multiple College, Lead College(s): Madison College

Lead contact person : Anne Schacherl

E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (608)246-6631

(5) If Single College, Project Manager:

E-mail: Phone:

(6) WIDS Consultant (if applicable): Leah Osborn

E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 860-228-6853

TSA Project Planning Process

(7) List the stakeholders/organizations involved in the project and describe the process used to engage them (meetings, Webinars, e-mail, etc.).

Anne W Schacherl, Madison College Anne Oestreicher , Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Beth Pless, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Dick Hopfensperger, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Mark Barker, Chippewa Valley Technical College Mike Sujecki, Milwaukee Area Technical College Mike Tokheim, Wisconsin Technical College System Norma J Kropp, Madison College Richard Opie, Lakeshore Technical College Wendie Witzke, Western Technical College

The group met face-to-face and via webinar to work on the project. Meeting dates:

February 26, 2010

April 23, 2010 (final webinar)

(8) Summarize the process used to establish TSA target program outcomes and develop program outcome criteria. (Please attach Program Outcome Summary Document.)

mailto:[email protected]



Program Outcome Summary is attached.

Teachers collaboratively brainstormed program outcomes and program outcome criteria. They were encouraged to seek input from colleagues to refine outcomes and criteria and vet them with industry representatives. The group tapped a variety of resources (i.e. industry research, periodicals, and advisory committees) to explore trends that would impact the program in the next few years.

Industry Relevance

(9) Explain the process you used to verify and document the relevance of TSA program outcomes to industry needs (Ex. industry standards, DACUM, industry focus group, industry survey, advisory committee input).

Supporting documentation attached

Program outcomes were developed based on the American Association for Paralegal Education - Paralegal Core Competencies (Revised 2002). An electronic survey was set up and the link was distributed to colleges. Colleges could invite advisory committee and industry representatives to participate in the survey. Some colleges validated the program outcomes at advisory committee meetings. Documentation linking the Paralegal Program Outcomes to the AAPE Core Competencies is posted on WTCS CurriculumBank.

WTCS Assessment

(10) Does the TSA for this program use a WTCS Assessment? (If yes, answer the remaining questions in this section; if not skip to Third-Party Section.)

Yes No

(11) Describe the process used to select and develop the TSA assessment. Please attach a copy of the TSA Scoring Guide and any TSA assessment tool(s) the team developed. (Ex. scenarios, projects, simulations, normed exams)

TSA Scoring Guide attached. (required)

TSA Assessment Tool(s) attached. (optional)

The TSA Assessment Scoring Guide was developed by the WTCS faculty during the statewide work sessions and additional web meetings.

Third-Party Assessment

(12) Does the TSA for this program use a Third-Party Assessment? (If so answer questions below; if not skip to the next section.)

Yes No

(13) Third-Party Assessment Information

Title:

Sponsoring Organization:

(14) Describe evidence that the designated third-party assessment addresses the TSA core program outcomes and any related industry standards. Attach the completed Guideline for Choosing a Third Party Technical Skill Assessment and include narrative on the consultation with education director if scoring less than 15 on the guideline.

Guideline for Choosing a Third Party Technical Skill Assessment (attach completed form)

(15) What evidence shows that the designated third-party assessment is required for licensure and/or employment, or evidence of the cost benefit of the third party assessment?


Submitted By: Leah Osborn, WIDS Consultant Date: 4/4/2011

Submit this completed form along with necessary documents via a “pdf” file to [email protected]

(16) Explain how the third-party assessment sponsor provides results by student and college to each college or to the WTC System in a timely fashion.

Approvals (17) List the Deans that provided their approval to the TSA during the Phase I process. All of the WTCS Deans and Associate Deans were given the opportunity to approve the TSA Assessment through an online survey.

Elizabeth Wilting,Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Mohammad Dakwar, MATC- Milwaukee Beth Hein, Chippewa Valley Technical College Gary Brown, Western Technical College Allyn French, PhD, Lakeshore Technical College Turina Bakken, Madison Area Technical College

(18) Additional Comments or Information



Paralegal

Program Outcome Summary

Program Information

Organization WTCS

Program Number 10-110-1

Instructional Level Associate Degree

Description The two year associate degree Paralegal program will prepare students for highly responsible entry-level positions as paralegals or legal assistants. Students take courses that provide them with the basic competencies to begin a career as a paralegal or legal assistant. The subjects covered in the program core course work are: ethics, substantive and procedural law, the American Legal system, delivery of legal services, law offices and related environments, the paralegal profession, legal research and writing, law-related computer skills, legal interviewing and investigation, and substantive areas of legal practice. The program will assist students in acquiring these essential related competencies: critical thinking skills (analysis, judgment, research and problem-solving), communication skills (oral, written, non-verbal and interpersonal), computer skills, computational skills, understanding of ethics and organizational skills.

Program Outcomes

A. Apply ethical principles in a legal environment

B. Process legal documents

C. Perform legal research

D. Apply critical thinking skills to address legal issues

E. Demonstrate professionalism in a legal environment

Paralegal Core Competencies

American Association for Paralegal Education - Paralegal Core Competencies (Revised 2002)

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

GENERAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

LEGAL RESEARCH SKILLS

LEGAL WRITING SKILLS

COMPUTER SKILLS

INTERVIEWING AND INVESTIGATION SKILLS

THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION AND ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS

LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Program Outcomes Linked to Paralegal Core Competences

1. Apply ethical principles in a legal environment


Linked External Standards




Your performance will be successful when you:

1.a. Locate ethical legal guidelines that apply to a situation

1.b. Determine client confidentiality requirements for a situation

1.c. Follow the legal code of ethics

1.d. Distinguish between ethical and unethical conduct

2. Process legal documents





COMPUTER SKILLS



2.a. Apply substantive and procedural law to process legal documents

2.b. Use appropriate technology to process legal documents

2.c. Prepare legal documents

2.d. Explain the process for filing/recording legal documents

2.e. Explain the process for serving legal documents

2.f. Use correct legal terminology

3. Perform legal research



LEGAL RESEARCH SKILLS


COMPUTER SKILLS



3.a. Develop and follow an effective research plan

3.b. Validate and update sources


3.c. Perform factual research

3.d. Perform research in a variety of legal specialty areas

3.e. Use a variety of traditional and computerized research strategies

3.f. Document research results accurately using Bluebook standards

3.g. Present research results orally and in writing

4. Apply critical thinking skills to address legal issues


CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS





4.a. Apply substantive and procedural law to legal issues

4.b. Conduct analytical interviews and investigations

4.c. Interpret legal documents

4.d. Organize information logically and effectively

4.e. Synthesize various sources into a supportable a legal conclusion

5. Demonstrate professionalism in a legal environment






5.a. Clarify the role and skills unique to the paralegal profession

5.b. Demonstrate professional interpersonal communication

5.c. Describe appropriate interactions within a variety of legal and professional settings

5.d. Work effectively as a member of a team

5.e. Describe professional standards that apply in various situations


10-110-1 Paralegal

TSA Summative Assessment

Wisconsin Technical College System

Directions

This Paralegal TSA scoring guide will be used to document your attainment of program outcomes for the Paralegal Associate Degree (10-110-1).

To meet the requirements on the scoring guide, you will be asked to draw upon the skills and concepts that have been developed throughout the program and are necessary for successful employment in your field. Results will be used to inspire continual improvement of teaching and learning in Wisconsin Technical College System Paralegal Programs. In addition, this assessment will provide feedback to you about your performance.

This scoring guide will be used to evaluate your work by examining one or more artifacts (assignments) that document your achievement of each program outcome such as capstone projects, field research and/or internships. Format, timing, and course will be designated by your local college. Your instructor will provide detailed instructions on the tool(s) used.

After your instructor completes this scoring guide, you will receive feedback on your performance including your areas of accomplishment and areas that need improvement.

Paralegal Program Outcomes

P 1. Apply ethical principles in a legal environment

P 2. Process legal documents

P 3. Perform legal research

P 4. Apply critical thinking skills to address legal issues

P 5. Demonstrate professionalism in a legal environment

Rating Scale

MET Performs adequately; meets basic standards

NOT MET Does not meet basic standards

Scoring Standard

You must achieve an overall average rating of MET on all criteria for each program outcome to demonstrate competence (passing). A rating of NOT MET on any criterion results in a NOT MET score for that program outcome and for the TSA Assessment.


SCORING GUIDE

Program Outcomes and Criteria

P 1. Apply ethical principles in a legal environment

MET

NOT MET

Your performance will be satisfactory when you:

Locate ethical legal guidelines that apply to a situation

Determine client confidentiality requirements for a situation

Follow the legal code of ethics

Distinguish between ethical and unethical conduct

COMMENTS:

P 2. Process legal documents

MET

NOT MET


Apply substantive and procedural law to process legal documents

Use appropriate technology to process legal documents

Prepare legal documents

Explain the process for filing/recording legal documents

Explain the process for serving legal documents

Use correct legal terminology

COMMENTS:

P 3. Perform legal research

MET

NOT MET


Develop and follow an effective research plan

Validate and update sources

Perform factual research

Perform research in a variety of legal specialty areas

Use a variety of traditional and computerized research strategies


SCORING GUIDE

Program Outcomes and Criteria

Document research results accurately using Bluebook standards

Present research results orally and in writing

COMMENTS:

P 4. Apply critical thinking skills to address legal issues

MET

NOT MET


Apply substantive and procedural law to legal issues

Conduct analytical interviews and investigations

Interpret legal documents

Organize information logically and effectively

Synthesize various sources into a supportable legal conclusion

COMMENTS:

P 5. Demonstrate professionalism in a legal environment

MET

NOT MET


Clarify the role and skills unique to the paralegal profession

Demonstrate professional interpersonal communication

Describe appropriate interactions within a variety of legal and professional settings

Work effectively as a member of a team

Describe professional standards that apply in various situations

COMMENTS:

Overall Score

TSA Assessment Score:

PASS FAIL

Note: Each program outcome and the over-all requirements must earn a rating of “Met” to achieve an over-all score of “Pass” on the assessment.


Student Name: ID #:

Evaluator Signature: Date:


WTCS TSA Development Plan Approval Checklist Phase I

(Checklist to Be Completed by WTCS Education Director)

Program Title: Paralegal Program Number: 10-110-1

Program Status (please check one)

Multi-College Aligned Multi-College Non-Aligned Single College

WTCS Education Director: Moira Lafayette

Lead / Single College Project Manager: Anne Schacherl, Madison College

WIDS Consultant: Leah Osborn

College(s) offering the program:

BTC CVTC FVTC GTC

LTC MATC – MSDN MATC – MILW MPTC

MSTC NATC NTC NWTC

SWTC WCTC WITC WTC

Rate how the TSA Assessment meets the following WTCS criteria. In order to be approved, the TSA Assessment Plan must fully meet or partially meet all criteria. Justification/explanation must be given in order to grant approval if there are any “partially met” ratings. A WTCS assessment and/or approved third-party assessment must be employed to be approved.

Criteria – The WTC System TSA Assessment Plan: Ratings

1. Includes evidence that the key stakeholders were involved in the planning process including all colleges approved to offer the program (all must have been invited), faculty members, deans, WTCS education director. (Must be fully met in order to be approved.

fully met not met

2. Targets a common set of measurable core program outcomes in accordance with guidelines for its alignment status. (Must be fully met in order to be approved)

fully met not met

3. Documents the relevance of TSA core program outcomes, showing how they were derived from valid industry and academic standards, if applicable; derived from a current (within last three years) DACUM occupational analysis; or reviewed by industry representatives via survey or focus group. (Must be fully met in order to be approved)

fully met not met

4. Includes the following products: WTCS Program Outcome Summary, showing links between core program outcomes and courses (aligned program only); common Performance Assessment Task (PAT) (if applicable) with a Scoring Guide, and/or if assessment uses a third-party assessment, includes description and rationale.

fully met partially met not met


Criteria – The WTC System TSA Assessment Plan: Ratings

5. If WTCS assessment type, it meets the following criteria:

__ a. The TSA assessment uses one or more assessments that collectively measure all TSA designated core program outcomes.

__ b. Performance is assessed using one or more consistent rubrics (scoring guides) with clearly stated criteria, rating scale, and standard of performance. (Note: Performance

need not be measured using the same assessment strategy or assignment; however, the assessment must use the same criteria and standard of performance.)

fully met partially met not met NA-third-party

assessment only

6. __ a. If third-party assessment type, it meets the following criteria referenced in the “Guideline for Choosing a Third Party Technical Skill Assessment” including the ability to collect third party data

fully met not met NA-WTCS

assessment only

7. Roster is attached that reflects the name of the Dean and their college that provided approval for the TSA Phase I outcomes.

fully met not met-

NOTE: this request cannot be approved until this item is “fully met”

I recommend approval of the TSA Assessment Plan for this program as it fully or partially meets each WTCS requirement. Justification/Explanation for any “partially met” ratings:

The TSA Assessment Plan for this program does NOT meet WTCS requirements. I recommend the following improvements in order to meet WTCS approval standards:

Education Director Name ______________________________________________ Date ____________

Education Director Signature _____________________________________________________________

Associate Vice President Name ___________________________________________ Date _____________

Associate Vice President Signature __________________________________________________________

WTCS TSA Assessment Plan Approval Request Form

Documents

Transcript of WTCS TSA Assessment Plan Approval Request Form