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A Culture of Assessment: General Education

General Education

General Education at YCCC

The mission of the General Education component of each degree program at YCCC is integral to the educational and professional development of students. Students undertake General Education studies in a variety of disciplines and fields, including communications, arts and humanities, social and behavioral studies, natural sciences, and mathematics, in order to:

  • Seek self-fulfillment;
  • Pursue lifelong learning;
  • Develop awareness of their communities, region, and world;
  • Succeed in the workplace.

General Education courses also provide students opportunities to develop competencies identified by employers, educators, and students as critical for success across a range of personal, professional, and technical endeavors. Skills and competencies that students develop through core courses are integrated and reinforced in other general education and technical courses across the curriculum.

The Maine Community College System has identified eight learning domains that make up the General Education core.  These learning domains are assessed on a 5-year cycle, using rubrics developed in collaboration with our sister Maine community colleges.  Results are presented to the Maine Community College System's Board of Trustees and are available below.

Learning Outcomes

Writing:

  • Students will be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 
  • Students will be able to search for, access, evaluate information from a variety of sources and use that information ethically and legally for research and personal purposes.

Quantitative Literacy:

  • Students will perform mathematical operations at the college level.
  • Students will evaluate quantitative information.
  • Students apply mathematical concepts and techniques in practical situations, to solve problems.

Social Sciences: Students will be able to analyze or explain causal forces which shape social structures, institutions, or behavior through time.

Natural Sciences:  

  • Students will be able to demonstrate both conceptual and practical understanding of the scientific methods, including abilities of hypothesis development and testing through observation or experiment, and evaluation of results
  • Students will be able to engage in laboratory or field work at a level consistent with standard college laboratory and field courses;
  • Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to work with both qualitative and quantitative information in applying scientific principle.

Humanities: Students will be able to read, analyze, and interpret significant texts in order to make meaning, find purpose, and choose values that enhance our understanding of ourselves and govern our relationships with others.

Diversity: Students will demonstrate knowledge of cultural differences.

Ethical Reasoning: Students will develop an understanding of ethical theories and develop a logical system of values and morality and be able to apply those values and principles to moral problems.

Creative Arts: Students will be able to participate in, identify, or evaluate artistic and creative forms of expression.

General Education Outcomes Assessment Schedule & Reports

2020/2021

2021/2022

2022/2023

  • Social Science (YCCC Gen Ed Core III)
  • Ethical Reasoning (YCCC Gen Ed Core II)
  • Diversity (YCCC Gen Ed Core II and III)