MCTC students score above the community college average on the Critical-thinking Assessment test
November 6, 2023
by Megan Smedley
Maysville Community & Technical College students in the Business Administration, Computer & Information Technology, Electronics Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Medical Lab Technology and Associate in Science programs scored above the national community college average on the Critical-thinking Assessment Test (CAT).
The CAT is administered as part of the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) on Problem-Solving Skills for Life.
Utilized by colleges and universities throughout the country, the CAT is designed to assess a broad range of critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills via short answer essay responses.
QEPs are opportunities for all colleges/universities accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Kentucky’s regional accrediting agency, to focus on needed enhancement of an area of student learning based on the institution’s strategic plan and are required as part of the reaffirmation of accreditation process.
The MCTC faculty, staff, students, and the college’s Board of Directors chose Problem-Solving as the college’s QEP topic because it is an essential skill needed by all students entering the workforce today as documented by statewide surveys of leaders in business and industry.
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) has further documented this need by listing Problem-Solving & Decision Making as two of the ten Essential Skills “all graduates need for a meaningful career and personal success” in their 2020 Kentucky Graduate Profile.
Dr. Dana Calland, Chief Academic Officer, called the focus on this workplace skill ‘a natural fit.’
“The completion of our QEP has empowered our students to think critically and has equipped them with invaluable tools that will not only benefit their academic journey but also prepare them for workplace success,” she said. “We are proud of our students’ growth and commend their dedication to honing their problem-solving abilities. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these enhanced problem-solving skills as our students embark on their future endeavors.”
Since the inception of MCTC’s current QEP in 2018, students in randomly selected Writing I (ENG 101) courses were administered the CAT to determine students’ entry-level problem-solving skills each fall. Professional development sessions were provided to assist faculty in further developing and implementing problem-solving learning activities in their classes.
Prior to graduation, students in program capstone courses were once again administered the CAT test to assess the gain in their level of problem-solving skills.
In addition, as part of the QEP, over one thousand MCTC students have completed each of two related training modules (Analytical Problem Solving and Decision Making) on their path to completion of the Am I Job Ready micro-credential.
This micro-credential provides students with further documentation of their development of the soft skills sought by employers in the workplace.
MCTC will complete its current five-year QEP next spring and submit its next QEP proposal in the fall of 2028.
