ASSESSMENT REPORT COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
Paralegal Studies/ AAS and Post-Degree Certificate of Achievement 2008-2009__________________________________________
Degree Program, Unit, or Office Academic Year
Dr. Clarissa M. Cota______________________________________ July 2009____________________________________________
Assessment Coordinator/Contact Person Date Submitted
MEASURABLE
OUTCOMES RESULTS & ANALYSIS DISSEMINATION (INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING RESULTS)
PLAN FOR USE OF DATA TO IMPROVE PROGRAM, UNIT OR OFFICE SERVICES
Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes: At the completion of the program, students will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate ability tomanage cases and draft legal documents by applying written skills and knowledge of legal procedures in civil litigation and other substantive areas of law.
2.
Identify ethical issuesand be able to apply the rules of
professional conduct
PORTFOLIO
16 students completed the capstone course, Legal Research II – LAW 262 and completed the Portfolio. 14 students met the goal and scored 90% or higher, 2 students were above the minimum score of 75% at 83% and 78% and 1 student scored below the minimum 75%. The Portfolio successfully assessed the students’ ability to demonstrate all of the Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes. The Portfolio had 11 substantive parts corresponding to the subject matter and practical
assignments throughout the paralegal curriculum. Substantive parts of the Portfolio included: completion and organization of portfolio, introduction of
The CSN Office of Resource Development & Assessment received the completed 2007-2008 Assessment Report and 2008-2009 Assessment Plan in October 2008. PORTFOLIO Every semester the Program Director proctored the Portfolio presentations and collected the Portfolio scores for each of the LAW 262 sections. The Program Director reviewed and analyzed
The CSN Office of Resource Development & Assessment will receive the 2008-2009 Assessment Report and the 2009-2010 Assessment Plan by October 1, 2009.
PORTFOLIO
The Paralegal Studies Program faculty came up with the idea of videotaping the final Portfolio presentations given by all LAW 262 students at the end of Fall 2009. The presentations provide such an insight as to how the students have progressed through the program, what their overall impressions are, what skills they have acquired, and what they will do next with their degrees. Our hope would be that we could share parts of these presentations with other groups such as the Paralegal Studies Program Advisory Board, CSN Counselors, recruitment events, and faculty meetings. SURVEYS
through synthesis and analysis.
3.
Demonstrate knowledge of research methodology by applying critical thinking initiatives to various information formats including computerized and traditional library research.4.
Demonstrateproficient use of word processing software and ability to identify and adapt to different types of law office technology and computer applications. Programmatic
Outcomes: 1. The Paralegal Studies Program will better understand the needs and objectives of the current students and the legal community.
2. The Paralegal Studies Program will achieve a high degree of satisfaction with alumni and employers.
professional history, legal writing documents, understanding the profession and ethical obligations, research skills, law office technology and computer application, basic skills, commitment beyond coursework, conclusion of student learning experience and professional growth throughout paralegal program, appendix, and class presentation. (Sample Portfolio Rubric is attached.)
SURVEYS
Every Fall, Spring and Summer the Paralegal Studies Program conducts a series of Surveys which measures all the programmatic outcomes:
CSN Student Perception Survey Survey was electronically deployed to all LAW 101 students during Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. 25 students
completed survey during Fall 2008 and 26 students completed survey during Spring 2009. This survey captured the incoming student perceptions of the paralegal profession, how they heard of the CSN program, what they hope to learn and what they hope to do with their degree. This survey helped us to better understand the current students’ needs and objectives. The majority of students hear about our program through the CSN catalog or website. More students starting in Spring 2009 had college degrees than in Fall 2008.
the results for outcome attainment. The Portfolio results were shared with the Paralegal Faculty during their regular meetings. The Department Chair and Dean received the Portfolio report at the Advisory Board Meetings. At the bi-annual Advisory Board meeting for Fall 2008, the Portfolio results were shared with all members and the Paralegal Studies Program student with the most outstanding Portfolio presented their work to the Board. All other representative groups on the Advisory Board therefore learned of the Portfolio results such as the Nevada Paralegal Association of Nevada, Paralegal Association of Southern Nevada, Clark County Bar Association, State Bar of Nevada, William S. Boyd School of Law, Association of Legal Administrators, and the
The Paralegal Studies Program will deploy the surveys according to the following schedule: CSN Student Perception Survey:
July 2009
CSN Paralegal Studies Program Alumni Survey: November 2009
CSN Paralegal Studies Program Employer Survey: April 2011
CSN Paralegal Studies Program Community Needs Survey:
November 2010
*CSN Paralegal Studies Program Completer Survey:
December 2009
*This is a new survey to be completed by students who have completed all law courses required of their degrees. It will be electronically deployed every semester to the LAW 262 – Legal Research II – Capstone Course students. The survey will capture how student’s view of the paralegal profession has evolved since the CSN Paralegal Studies Program Perception Survey (student results from both surveys will be linked by C number), what the students’ overall impression of the program and law classes is, how prepared they feel to go into the workplace, and retrieve student contact information for program record keeping.
CSN Student Perception Survey
Based on the results from this survey, our faculty offered Family Law during the Spring 2009 semester and will be offering Immigration Law during the Fall 2009 semester. We also are monitoring what days and times the students prefer their law classes to be held. We will continue our same level of effort with the program brochures, initial contact, website,
During Spring 2009, 27% of students had a bachelor’s degree or higher and 12% had an associate’s degree. Whereas, during Fall 2008, 8% of students had a bachelor’s degree or higher and 12% had an associate’s degree. This could be a reflection of the current economy where even those with college degrees are looking to be retrained in a different field.
Approximately 55% of students work full-time, with about 35% of those students working in the legal field. The majority of respondents found their experiences with the Paralegal Studies Program thus far to be above neutral as a 4 or exceptional. Respondents were interested in were interested in Family Law and Immigration Law courses. Over 50% of respondents indicated that they plan on taking national paralegal certification exams upon graduation.
CSN Paralegal Studies Program Alumni Survey
Survey was electronically deployed to all Paralegal Studies Program graduates during Spring 2009. 26 graduates completed the survey, the majority of respondents graduated from 2007 to the present. 20 completed the AAS and 6 completed Post-Degree Certificate. This survey captured graduate impression of the paralegal program, their continuing education, employment information
Federal Judiciary. SURVEYS
The Program Director collected, reviewed and analyzed the survey results according to the following schedule: CSN Student Perception Survey: September 2008 and February 2009 CSN Paralegal Program Alumni Survey: March 2009 CSN Paralegal Studies Employer Survey: March 2009 CSN Paralegal Studies Program Community Needs Survey: Spring 2008
The survey results and data were shared with the Paralegal Faculty at their Faculty
Development meetings in the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. The information was shared with the CSN
Counselors during the
orientation, and faculty contact in the classroom since the survey results showed students were satisfied with these items. Make mention of the results of this survey to the CSN counselors at the end of the semester luncheon during Fall 2009 so that they can know more about our students when advising them. CSN Paralegal Studies Program Alumni Survey Our alumni survey indicated that very few graduates actually take a certification exam. Only, 15% of those surveyed have passed the CLA exam even though 50% indicated that they planned to take a certification exam when starting the program. I plan to discuss this with the Nevada Paralegal Association and the Paralegal Association of Southern Nevada during focus group meetings or the Paralegal Studies Advisory Board meeting during Fall 2009.
At the beginning of Fall 2009, I plan to bring up to my Paralegal Studies Program faculty the top five tasks performed by graduates in the law firms: drafting letters, computer research, drafting memoranda, file organization, drafting pleadings, and trial preparation. Our faculty should make an effort to incorporate all these tasks within the relevant courses and if they are already do so, we should create more practical assignments based on this task list.
Plan to work closer with the CSN Transfer Counselors during Fall 2009 and perhaps have them present at the Fall 2009 Employment Workshop. The Paralegal Studies Program could improve upon the articulation rate for our graduates, currently only 15% of the graduates will transfer to a four year institution, when 77% of our graduates were from the AAS degree program.
We also plan to add an option on the survey so that they students can identify themselves and provide contact information on the November 2009 survey.
and job preparedness. This survey helped us to better measure the degree of alumni and employer (if graduate is employed) satisfaction. 97% of all respondents indicated a Superior or Good rating for the overall quality of their educational experience. The majority of respondents found that the Civil Litigation, Legal Research and Writing courses best prepared them for the marketplace. 15% of the
graduates transferred to a 4 year institution, 4% of the graduates went to law school, 62% went to work after graduation, and 19% of the graduates were looking for work or preparing for law school. 90% of the graduates stayed in Nevada. 15% of the respondents have passed the CLA/CP exam and 4% are scheduled to take the exam. None of the respondents indicated that they were scheduled to take the P.A.C.E. exam. Respondents indicated over 30 different areas of legal specialty. The top five tasks performed by graduates in the law firms are: drafting letters, computer research, drafting memoranda, file organization, and drafting pleadings and trial preparation. Of those who responded to the annual salary level question, 11 made over $35,000 a year and 11 made under $35,000.
CSN Paralegal Studies Program Employer Survey
Survey was electronically deployed to
Spring 2009 Department of Business Luncheon. The Advisory Board was made aware of the survey results at their bi-annual meeting in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. The Department Chair and Dean both serve on the Paralegal Studies Advisory Board as well as all other representative groups: Nevada Paralegal Association of Nevada, Paralegal Association of Southern Nevada, Clark County Bar Association, State Bar of Nevada, William S. Boyd School of Law, Association of Legal Administrators, and the Federal Judiciary. (CSN Paralegal Studies Program Survey Deployment Schedule is attached.) EVALUATIONS Paralegal Studies Program Internship Evaluation
The Program Director collected and reviewed
CSN Paralegal Studies Program Employer Survey In the April 2011, we plan to add a question regarding C.L.A. or P.A.C.E. preference.
CSN Paralegal Studies Program Community Needs Survey
During Fall 2009 and Spring 2010, we need to address the following with the Paralegal Studies Program Advisory Board and the representative groups on the Board (Nevada Paralegal Association of Nevada, Paralegal Association of Southern Nevada, Clark County Bar Association, State Bar of Nevada, William S. Boyd School of Law, Association of Legal Administrators, and the Federal Judiciary):
The need for better attorney education on the proper utilization of the paralegal position and better attorney education on the paralegal profession.
At the Spring 2009 Advisory Board meeting, it was discussed to look into partnering with the law school on programs to educate the law students on the paralegal profession. This should be followed up on in the upcoming year.
The CSN Paralegal Studies Program Community Needs Survey showed that 38% of attorneys are only requiring a high school education for their paralegals and 15% do not require any formal education. The attorneys surveyed do not consider certification important for their paralegals and mainly want paralegals which have relevant experience. EVALUATIONS
Paralegal Studies Program Internship Evaluation Share with the Paralegal Studies Program faculty at the beginning of the Fall 2009 semester that this evaluation noted intern legal writing and the drafting of pleadings could improve. For this upcoming
all law firms, government offices, intern locations, and corporation who
employed CSN Paralegal Studies Students during Spring 2009. Only 5 offices responded. This survey helps to measure degree of employer satisfaction. 100% of the respondents indicated they Agree or Strongly Agree that the CSN graduates which they employ are sufficiently prepared to perform as expected. 50% of
respondents said they were more likely to hire a paralegal candidate who graduated from an ABA accredited paralegal program. The other 50% would likely hire someone with considerable experience but who has no formal paralegal degree. 100% of the respondents use Microsoft Office and 75% use Corel WordPerfect. CSN Paralegal Studies Program Community Needs Survey
Survey was electronically deployed to the Southern Nevada Legal
Community in Spring 2008. This survey helps the Paralegal Studies Program better understand the needs and objectives of the legal community. 26 offices responded, 69% were private law firms with two or more attorneys. 20% of the offices employ 6-10 paralegals, 32% of the offices employ 3-5 paralegals, and 44% of the offices employ 1-2 paralegals. 38% require high school diploma as their minimal level of education, 35%
the completed evaluation forms from all of the Paralegal Studies student intern supervisors at the end of Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. The information collected from the evaluations was discussed with the Paralegal Studies Program full-time faculty at the end of Fall 2008 and Spring 2009.
version of this survey that is easier to complete. We also plan to share the intern evaluation results with more Paralegal Studies Advisory Board members and part time faculty at the semester meetings for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010.
Student Evaluations
At the Spring 2009 Faculty Development meeting for the Paralegal Studies Program full and part time faculty, all who attended went over their own student evaluations from the previous year. We were able to discuss common issues that may come up with students who complain, the importance of record keeping, the importance of communicating with your students, how to work with remedial students in your classes, and the fact that students were requesting a Legal Writing II course.
This exercise was very beneficial and should be done every Spring semester during our Faculty Development meeting.
require an associate’s degree, 12% require a bachelor’s degree, and 15% do not require any formal general education. 50% of the respondents require prior work experience as a paralegal prior to hiring. 73% of the respondents rate technology skills of highest importance. The top tasks that paralegals perform in these offices are: calendaring, filing, word processing, organize files, case research, draft in-house memos, drafting motions, public records search, bate stamping, interrogatories, prepare exhibits, prepare pleadings, request for admissions, request for production, and trial notebooks. The most infrequent tasks performed by paralegal are: make deliveries, interview clients, service of process, skip tracing, draft opinion letters, drafting trial briefs, and assist at depositions. 58% of respondents do not require minimal billable hours for their paralegals. Only 14% of the respondents indicated that the CLA/CP certification is important. 0% of respondents considered the P.A.C.E. important. The majority of the law firms indicated that certification did not affect salary.
EVALUATIONS
Every Fall and Spring the Paralegal Studies Program evaluates the
This evaluation measures the programmatic outcome of employer satisfaction. 5 evaluations were completed in Spring 2009 and 4 were completed in Fall 2008. 8 of the 9 interns’ overall job performance was rated as Good or better, meeting the minimum program expectation. However, only 7 of the interns’ overall job performance was rated as Very Good or Excellent missing the program goal of 90%. One of our student interns had a difficult time with the office politics in the organization, she did not perform to her potential and the evaluation was filled out by the paralegal with whom there was an issue, therefore her job performance was rated as Fair. When respondents were asked about suggested areas of improvement for their intern, most responded that the drafting and legal writing skills could improve. When respondents were asked about the strongest attributes for their intern, most responded that the interns had good people skills, showed eagerness to work, worked well with others, and showed a desire to learn. 7 of the 9 host locations were willing to take CSN Paralegal Studies Program student interns again. The two locations that declined employed their student interns full time prior to the start of the
Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes Curriculum Audit Paralegal Studies Program
REQUIRED COURSES COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
Paralegal Studies/AAS and Post-Degree Certificate of Achievement 2008-2009__________________________________________
Degree Program, Unit, or Office Academic Year
Dr. Clarissa M. Cota________________________________ July 2009____________________________________________
Assessment Coordinator/Contact Person Date Submitted
A review of the program’s curriculum to identify which courses address the program outcomes and to what extent:
Introduced (I) Emphasized (E) Applied/Reinforced (A)
If the course is Required (REQ) by all Paralegal Studies students it will be marked. If a course is a designated Legal Specialty (LS) it will
be marked. If a course is an Elective (ELEC) it will be marked.
Program-Level Student Learning Outcome IS 101
REQ LAW 101 REQ, LS LAW 231 REQ, LS LAW 234 REQ, LS REQ LAW 253 LAW 259 REQ, LS LAW 261 REQ, LS LAW 262 REQ, LS LAW 263 REQ, LS 1. Demonstrate ability to manage
cases and draft legal documents by applying written skills and knowledge of legal procedures in civil litigation and other
substantive areas of law.
I EA EA A EA EA EA A
2. Identify ethical issues and be able to apply the rules of professional conduct through synthesis and analysis.
I A A A A A EA EA
3. Demonstrate knowledge of research methodology by applying critical thinking initiatives to various information formats including computerized and traditional library research.
4. Demonstrate proficient use of word processing software and ability to identify and adapt to different types of law office technology and computer applications.
