General Education Assessment Committee (GEAC)

History

GEAC was created in 2004 by Provost Larry Robinson in response to the new “Principles of Accreditation” adopted by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges & Schools). SACS is now The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOCS). In 2020 the General Education Steering Committee (GESC) was created as part of the restructuring of GEAC.

GEAC's Charges

• Establishing and streamlining a systematic process for the assessment of the general education system.
• Identifying college-level knowledge and competencies for the general education program that are linked to FAMU’s mission and goals and Florida State accountability systems.
• Developing an assessment plan for general education program.
• Monitoring the implementation of the planned general education assessment activities.

Organizational Structure

GEAC is a subcommittee of the General Education Steering Commitee (GESC) operating under the auspices of the Office of University Assessment and reporting to the Institutional Level Assessment Committee (ILAC).

Composition, Leadership and Membership

What GEAC does for FAMU

Assesses four competencies within GENED courses:

• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Social/Ethical Reasoning

Collects data and prepares documentation for SACSCOC accreditation:

Core Requirement 2.7.3 In each undergraduate degree program, the institution requires the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that (1) is a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. These credit hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics. The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation for the equivalency. The institution also provides a justification if it allows for fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit of general education courses. (General education)

Comprehensive Standard 3.5.1 The institution identifies college-level general education competencies and the extent to which students have attained them.

Collects data and prepares documentation relevant to performance based funding.

How GEAC does what it does

GEAC uses the following methods to gather and assess data:

• Artifact Collection & Assessment
• Focus Groups
• Surveys
• Critical Thinking Assessment Test (CAT)
• ETS (Educational Testing Service) Proficiency Profile
• Metadata analysis

What GEAC does for faculty and students

GEAC does the following:

• Helps maintain FAMU's accreditation.
• Helps address performance based funding.
• Provides data about students and courses.

What Faculty can do for GEAC

Faculty can help GEAC in the following ways:

• Allow GEAC to acquire artifacts and data from your courses.
• Complete GEAC surveys.
• Inform your students of GEAC surveys and share the links with them.
• Provide artifacts to GEAC for analysis.
• Assess artifacts for GEAC.
• Join GEAC.

What Students can do for GEAC

Students can help GEAC in the following ways:

• Complete GEAC surveys.
• Participating in GEAC focus groups.