Date of Award
2002
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Andrew Niesiobedzki
Keywords
assessment design, Commission curriculum, compliance, course evaluation, criminal justice standards, curriculum, curriculum evaluation, data analysis, distance education, educational program evaluation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, higher education, learning objectives, literature review, online curriculum, online learning, program evaluation, public safety education, recommendations, review course, Southeastern Public Safety Institute, St. Petersburg Junior College, State Exam Review Course, student learning outcomes, training standards
Abstract
The problem was the curriculum for the online delivery of the State Exam Review Course has not been evaluated in its current format to see that the student is provided the same learning outcomes in the distance delivery as in the on-campus delivery. The purpose of the study was to conduct an evaluation of the online curriculum for the State Exam Review Course at the Southeastern Public Safety Institute of St. Petersburg Junior College to determine whether the present curriculum meets the goals and objectives of the Commission law enforcement curriculum. There was only one research question related to this study. The question for the study was: "Does the online curriculum of the State Exam Review Course meet the established learning objectives of the Commission curriculum?"
A sequence of seven procedures was used to complete this evaluation practicum. The procedures followed the following key concepts: (a) review of the literature, (b) establishment of criteria and instrument, (c) assessment design, (d) collection of data, (e) analysis of data, and (t) presentation of recommendations. The results were reported for each procedure. Analysis of the results indicated that the data collected showed overwhelmingly that the State Exam Review Course Online curriculum accurately matched the mandated Florida Department of Law Enforcement-Criminal Justice Standards and Training curriculum.
Three conclusions were reached as a result of this study. First, it was concluded that this study followed guidelines for curriculum evaluation. The evaluation methodology was appropriate because of the need to determine the worth of
an educational program, product, or activity to enhance the decision-making process about the program modification. The evaluation compared the mandated curriculum and program with the actual online curriculum and program. Second, the data collected showed overwhelmingly that the State Exam Review Course Online curriculum accurately matched the mandated Florida Department of Law Enforcement-Criminal Justice Standards and Training curriculum. Third, it was concluded that no changes in curriculum were needed at this time, but further modifications may be important as the mandated curriculum changes.
Three recommendations were made based on the results. First, it is recommended that the Southeastern Public Safety Institute of St. Petersburg Junior College continue to operate the State Exam Review Course Online. Second, it is recommended that a copy of the research be given to the Associate Provost and each of the Program Directors at the Southeastern Public Safety Institute of St. Petersburg Junior College. Third, it is further recommended that an evaluation study be conducted after one year of operation to determine the continued compliance with the mandated curriculum.