MoDEC Grant History

MoDEC’s Beginnings

The Missouri Developmental Education Consortium (MoDEC), a grassroots effort, was formed primarily to provide a statewide forum for the study and discussion of issues in developmental education. Initiated in fall 2004 with the financial assistance of a $3,000 grant from the Council of North Central Two-Year Colleges and the Higher Learning Commission, MoDEC has brought together developmental education professionals, including faculty, department chairs, institutional researchers, and administrators, from across the state’s thirteen public two-year colleges and the Missouri Department of Higher Education. During 2004-2005, the grant provided travel funds for participating institutions, funds to support institutional research, and funds to defray other start up costs of the Consortium. MoDEC has been structured to be a self-sustaining entity with shared leadership and has continued its operation after the initial grant year.

Consortium Goals and Activities during Grant Year

• The consortium will provide a statewide forum for the study and discussion of issues in developmental education.
• The consortium will serve as a liaison between Missouri public two-year colleges and the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
• The consortium will collaborate with the Missouri Assessment Consortium, the Midwest Regional Association for Developmental Education, and other entities with an interest in developing and sustaining effective developmental education programs.
• The consortium will include representation from at least 85% of Missouri’s public two-year colleges.
• The consortium will compile and review placement policies and assessment instruments used within all of Missouri’s public two-year colleges.
• The consortium will study success rates, such as graduation rates, persistence, and performance in subsequent courses, from at least 50% of participating institutions.
• The consortium will take a pragmatic approach to change, rooted in mutual respect of institutional differences and built upon consensus which allows for the complexity of change.

Timeline of Activities during Grant Year

• December: First consortium meeting.
Officially organize consortium, discuss institutional practices, disseminate information, and set short-term and long-term goals.
• January-February: Second consortium meeting.
Network with other entities, explore collaborative ventures, and work toward identified consortium goals.
• March: Third consortium meeting.
Work toward identified consortium goals.
• April-May: Fourth consortium meeting.
Prepare final grant report and prepare and distribute summary report of consortium’s progress to Missouri higher education institutions and other interested entities.