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College Collaborative Network
December 2003
KCTCS Adopts iRespond to Provide Assessment and Feedback
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) recently adopted
the iRespond system (as well as EdMastery) as a critical component of evaluating
candidates in the Kentucky Manufacturing Skills Standard (KMSS). In addition,
KCTCS has already started to build CCN revenue streams from training, assessment,
and publishing of the KMSS program.
iRespond is a wireless scoring and reporting system that automates the assessment
process and communicates by radio frequency. The iRespond handheld devices were
designed for instructors as a simple, timesaving, engaging way to handle their
most intensive task -- assessment. Instructors now have instant access to question-by-question
responses, empowering them to make just-in-time, data-driven decisions and do
what instructors do best – teach.
iRespond is centered around collecting and scoring classroom, school and district
assessment data through trusted, real-time communication devices. Where most
solutions struggle, iRespond excels by providing instant reports within seconds
of each question!
iRespond is simple-to-use and, within a few hours, instructors can introduce
a powerful learning and performance tracking tool to the classroom. Now, all
students are involved and communicating their academic strengths and weaknesses
to the instructor before it's too late for help.
The iRespond system is easy to use and has multiple uses in the classroom.
Instructors can transmit regularly scheduled tests via the wireless system for
automatic scoring, questions can be delivered to the students on a daily basis
to immediately measure student learning, or instructors can use the tool for
survey results. The system is typically sold in sets that include 30 handheld
devices, one base unit, a convenient carrying case, and the easy-to-use software.
Because the base unit only requires a PC, the unit can be used in any classroom
with at least one computer.
For a tour of iRespond, visit us on the web at www.collegecollaborative.com,
or send an email to info@collegecollaborative.com.
Messenger-Inquirer
December 3, 2003
OCTC drive exceeds $700,000 with more expected
Public campaign to start in early '04
Owensboro Community and Technical College has topped the $700,000 mark in gifts
and pledges in a fund-raising campaign to boost its endowments, college officials
said Tuesday.
A private campaign with the college's faculty and staff last year raised $112,000
while an ongoing private campaign with the college's board and foundation members
has so far raised another $591,000 for a total of $703,000, said Cathy Baker,
director of advancement.
The public phase of the campaign will be launched early next year, Baker said.
The campaign has no overall goal, Baker said, but a feasibility study indicated
the college's region could support a drive for $3 million to $9 million.
"The most important thing to us is for the community to know that this
is only the second time in 15 years that we've gone to the community and asked
them to help us build an endowment," OCTC President Jacqueline Addington
said.
A campaign launched in 1994 raised $700,000 for endowments and an early learning
center.
Ninety-nine percent of all faculty and staff members contributed to the campaign
last year, one of the highest percentages in the state for community colleges
raising money, Baker said. Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Henderson are also
conducting fund drives, she said.
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is also conducting a statewide
campaign. The KCTCS "Fulfilling the Promise" campaign, launched in
October, also has no set goal.
So far, half of the board and foundation members have contributed, said Larry
Miller, OCTC's dean of students. The public phase of the campaign -- expected
to raise the bulk of the total amount -- will begin after the current phase
ends, he said.
Baker said the money will go to three main areas:
- Scholarships -- A Student Success endowment has a target of $1.5 million.
- College Advancement Fund -- This endowment will fund "community driven
programs," provide internship opportunities for faculty and staff and
upgrade technology.
- Unrestricted Fund -- A fund to help match a $350,000 federal Title III grant
that together would create a $700,000 endowment for institutional effectiveness.
The college has only $130,000 in various small scholarship endowments.
"We're the only college in our region without a large endowment,"
Baker said.
The statewide campaign will also raise money for scholarship endowments, program
support, new technology and equipment, faculty and new facilities.
While the campaign has no set goal, officials hope the five-year campaign will
beat a similar one by the Kentucky community college system in the mid-1990s
that brought in about $43 million.
KCTCS officials say private support is crucial to community colleges since
their state funding has been cut by $7 million in the last two fiscal years.
About 71,000 students are enrolled in KCTCS schools, which includes 62 campuses
open or preparing to open across the state.
Kentucky Post
November 27, 2003
Counting our blessings
(Excerpt from a current events editorial in the Kentucky Post)
Often on this page we bemoan the state of our society, criticize public policy
and suggest ways to improve how we conduct government, business, religion and
civic affairs.
Today, Thanksgiving Day, we find it appropriate to note the trends, events
and situations that bring us joy.
We're thankful for the generosity of our region, which helped the United Way
top an optimistic goal this fall and year round helps numerous other agencies
perform their charitable missions.
We're thankful for elected officials like Jim Callahan, who has set the standard
during a long legislative career that is about to end.
We're thankful for Jim Votruba, Joseph Lee and Edward Hughes, whose
vision for higher education has poised Northern Kentucky well for the future.
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