Meeting & Agendas

The presentation has been changed to increase the enthusiasm, as well as, provide additional information to the possible applicants. The applicant pool has increased and currently the information sessions are having 4-12 applicants each session.

The 2 day workshop was held here at the Eastview campus. There were 26 participants and will more than likely be held again.

Karen working on a survey to see if the Alliance needs to make any changes; CAPTE loves the PTA MAC. It is gaining a lot of popularity due to it being so complete. Some of the funding to purchase the MACS goes back to the PTA clubs.

It was due October 2006. It was sent off in time, but no feedback has been received.

A survey was presented to the students to see if they would be open to adding Internet learning to their class schedule. The students all responded YES! This semester podcasts are being offered to assist the students in learning. Karen, Jose, and Allan all have their own websites (www.austincc.edu/kjacobs; www.austincc.edu/jmilan; and www.austincc.edu/abesseli ). The goal of this project is to eventually have the students build each semester using interactive learning to be able to take with them via USB with them to clinicals.

The current PTHA 2301 Assessment Skills was reworked at the June WECM meeting and is now called Essentials of Data Collections. The college is working to provide more of its courses in distance format to better serve our population. In several task force meetings the faculty discussed distance options and felt that PTHA 1321 Pathophysiology would be a good course to teach via Blackboard. It is being taught this semester and feedback so far is good. The students only come to class for presentations and mid terms.

Peg Raiford, ACC Instructional Technology, worked with Karen to receive a grant in order to purchase Questionmark. Questionmark is currently being used by both PTA classes. Currently there are 4 comprehensive tests available to assist the students. After each test, the students have access to coaching materials in order to help them see where they need to remediate. The faculty have been working since the poor rate in 2004 to develop the exams which until now have been paper and pencil. We hope to see our pass rates go up.

The department was able to purchase 4 mini cameras in order to be used by the faculty and students to videotape lab practices and exams. Once recorded, the students are able to view their video for self assessment.

Currently the department has the following policy – “73 or better on written and lab to pass the course”. Jana is seeking input from the advisory board in order to see if this is a fair statement or if changes need to be made. Jana has solicited input from other departments and programs and found that 75 was the base average. Discussion was held on possibly adding in make-up exams or a comprehensive test to drop the lowest test score. Mark suggested that for 1st year students have an average of 73 and for 2nd year an average of 75.

Currently the program does not have a 5 semester completion design in place and one needs to be formulated as soon as possible in order to be in compliance, especially before accreditation. Currently the program is considered part time due to the unequal hours of each semester. Currently about 75% of the students work 25 hours or more outside of the program. Due to SACS general courses were added into the PTA degree plan. The program is 71 hours for graduation. Eileen and Jana will meet in more detail to get the plan designed. Suggestions made were to possibly have classes online and drop physiology from the degree plan and just require Intro to A & P. Eileen suggests that Jana start looking at other PTA programs to see how their 5 semester plan is designed

The college no longer teaches A&P 1 and 2 and the Biology department has started required students to take an assessment test with a 50% passing score in order to register for their classes. Students are having some difficulty passing the assessment tests. Recommendations were to obtain a copy of the assessment tests to review content and refer students to the learning lab for tutoring help. Several inquired on the need for the students to be required to have both biology classes, especially if they had no desire to apply for PT school. Suggestions to consider were to possibly go with Intro to A & P because it met the PTA requirement guidelines and that if possible using this biology, applicant pool would probably increase. It was also suggested that PTA have 2 degree plan tracks. One for the student that had goals of applying for PT school and the other track for PTA students only. Eileen was interested in knowing what number of PTAs went on to PT school.

Graduating class of 2004 was 60% with 2 students that failed the exam. Class of 2005 was 88% with 2 students failing as well. The failing students have access to federation software to better help them prepare for the next time they take the exam. In addition, they can seek assistance from the PTA faculty.

Jana had examples of clinic expectations/standards and will email information to members to obtain their feedback.

Jana showed the members the various marking ideas to inform the public more about the PTA program. Seton Heartbeat showcased the PTA graduates that worked at Seton.

The PTA department will increase the mailings for this year and attempt to get them out as soon as possible. The current survey is being reviewed for wording to possibly increase the return of surveys by the students and employers. The faculty is also reviewing to ensure the expectations are accurate. The CAPTE surveys will be reviewed to see if we can follow more of their guidelines or incorporate some of their ideas. It was suggested that maybe the survey can go to an email version to increase returns.

An organized equipment replacement program is being started at ACC. All equipment was just inventoried and Jana Israel completed forms to show documentation of when current equipment was brought and when it needed to be replaced (life of the machine). The department has gotten several new pieces of equipment.

With additional money from ACC (College Wide Technology and Perkins) the department was able to buy various items, such as a wireless buzzer system in order to play PTA Jeopardy.

CAB funding through student life was obtained to help students attend National Student Conclave in Dallas.

Annual updates are in the process of moving online. PTA has new criteria, but the guidelines appear easy to follow. Self study being conducted currently. Jana is now certified as a site reviewer.

The enhanced school report can be obtained twice a year costing $400. Our program is definitely above standards. The group reviewed the score reports. The office of institutional effectiveness recommends continuing with the purchase of the reports. The Federation has made the following test provisions: For PTA – 250 questions, 5 hours long For PT – 200 questions, 4 hours long The both have REQUIRED breaks The Federation is also hosting faculty workshops on how to write questions and how the exam is developed. Jose Milan will be attending the conference in March 2007. Jana and Karen attended this workshop when it was in Austin.

The students have been involved in a number of activities to support the program and raise funds for the club. The activities include - 16 students attended the South Austin Showcase – South campus; COTA instruction; Health Science Career Class; 14 attended the conclave in Dallas with 2 of the students getting elected; a fundraiser was held and the students raised about $1200 selling hot dogs and all the trimmings and raffle tickets; Project Build a Park; canned food drive, Wrap a Gift during the holidays; and hosting an informational sessions on how to measure correct bike fitting for PT month.