General Education Redesign

Minnesota State is re-envisioning the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, the lower division general education curriculum.

Through the General Education Redesign Steering Committee, the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum is being reviewed with the intent of revising and updating our approach to general education across the colleges and universities of Minnesota State to reflect the needs of higher education attainment and workforce needs in the 21st century.  

The goal is to launch the redesigned lower division general education curriculum in 2027.

A Steering Committee, comprised of Minnesota State students, faculty, staff, and administrators, has been identified and is coordinating this effort.

Committee Chairs

Jesse Mason
Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Minnesota State

Aureliano DeSoto
Faculty
Metro State University

Matt Dempsey
Vice President for MSCF
Normandale Community College

Agendas and Minutes

Minnesota State faculty and staff can find meeting materials on the General Education Redesign page of ASA Connect.

The goal is to complete the work and launch the redesigned lower division general education curriculum in 2027.

Phase I: Research and Parameter Development

August 2022 - April 2024

  • Form General Education Redesign Steering Committee
  • New Framework Parameter Summary

Phase II: Framework Development

September 2024 - May 2025

  • Draft Framework, Competencies, and SLOs

Phase III: Stakeholder Vetting

May 2025 - December 2026

  • Submit Recommendations to the Chancellor
  • Final Parameter Summary Completed

Phase IV: Curriculum Development and Implementation

January - May 2027

Fiscal Year 2023 Year-End Summary

April 2023

The General Education Steering Committee (GESC) convened for their first meeting in mid-October 2023. There were initial concerns regarding the approach and timeline for the work of the committee, therefore the work planned for fall 2023 was delayed by approximately 3 months. By December, the committee had defined and agreed on an approach to the work with the understanding that there would be an adjustment to the overall timeline for Phase I, extending the work through the end of fall 2023.

The committee was split into three subgroups, each focusing on critical elements of the work charged to the group (research of gen ed models, gathering stakeholder feedback, and identifying transfer issues and concerns). Each group was charged with sharing their work with the larger committee to assist in the creation of the overall philosophy and parameters of the general education model. There were varying levels of progress made across the three subgroups.

The research subgroup completed their work resulting in recommendations for the committee to consider in development of the philosophy and parameters for Minnesota State lower division general education. The listening session subgroup developed and distributed a general survey to gather broad stakeholder feedback. The analysis and reporting on the survey results will occur in fall 2023, along with any further collection of stakeholder feedback sessions. The transfer subgroup analyzed the most recent transfer survey data and held listening sessions with transfer staff to better understand the issues students, faculty and staff face with the current general education framework and transfer. The group has started the development of case studies based on their findings with a plan to finish that work in fall 2023.

The full committee will draft the philosophy and parameters for the general education model after they are able to hear findings and recommendations from the remaining subgroups in FY24.

Work Remaining for Fiscal Year 2024

Research

  • Fully engage with videos and research brief presented by Research group

Stakeholder Feedback

  • Review of initial survey analysis and findings. Round 2 of survey distribution, analysis
    and review of findings.
  • Identify specific groups to invite for listening sessions. Develop schedule and plan for
    hosting the listening sessions.
  • Conduct listening sessions and develop theme summaries
  • Complete recommendations for full committee.

Transfer

  • Complete case studies.
  •  Complete recommendations for full committee.

Philosophy/Parameters

  • Review findings from stakeholder feedback and transfer case studies.
  • Draft overarching philosophy statement
  • Draft framework parameters summary that defines broad parameters and overarching
    characteristics.

Timeline for Fiscal Year 2024

September 2023

  • Review round 1 survey findings, distribute round 2
  • Engage with videos and research brief
  • Complete case studies and transfer subgroup recommendations

October 2023

  • Begin drafting parameters and philosophy
  • Analyze round 2 survey data

November 2023

  • Continue drafting parameters and philosophy
  • Review round 2 survey data

December 2023

  • Develop plan for listening sessions
  • Finalize draft 1 of philosophy and parameters

January 2024

  • Listening sessions

February 2024

  • Listening sessions

March 2024

  • Draft and review theme summaries
  • Begin editing of draft 1 philosophy and parameters

April 2024

  • Finalize draft 2 of philosophy and parameters
  • Finalize plan for Phase II

Work Planned for Summer 2023

  1. Compile survey results and develop summary report.
  2. Build foundational pieces for case studies. Identify gaps in research.
  3. Develop website (external and internal) for sharing of information.

Recommendations for Fall 2023 Preparations

All three subgroups recommend that any new committee members review documents uploaded to the Teams site to familiarize themselves with the work that was completed. In addition, it is recommended that Minnesota State develop both an external and internal website to support the sharing of information. The subgroups did not identify any needed support from the Executive Committee at this time.

Minnesota State faculty and staff can learn more on the General Education Redesign page of ASA Connect. (Sign in using StarID@MinnState.edu).