Curriculum Committee Study Task Force Report to the Modesto Junior College Academic Senate [microform]

A study was conducted by Modesto Junior College (MJC) to gather statewide data on the structure, responsibilities, and operating procedures of curriculum committees and to develop recommendations regarding the ideal committee for MJC. Curriculum committee chairs and knowledgeable faculty members at each community college in California were surveyed. Study findings, based on responses from both the committee chair and a faculty representative from each of 49 colleges, included the following: (1) most curriculum committees were under the jurisdiction of the chief executive officer or chief instructional officer; (2) faculty turnover on the committees was very high, resulting in a perceived need among faculty for a manual detailing policies and procedures; (3) faculty members felt that the administrators controlled the committee, while the administrators felt the faculty controlled the committee; (4) a widely distributed manual of policies and procedures enabled the committee to function more effectively; and (5) faculty members felt the need for access to curriculum information. Based on study findings, recommendations were made for the development and dissemination of a manual of curriculum committee procedures at MJC, and for the increased distribution of the minutes of curriculum committee meetings. (AYC)