CCAC’s General Education Learning Goals embrace both the College Vision and the Assessment of Student Learning Committee’s definition of an educated person. The College Vision of providing “an exemplary learning community where individuals can develop their full potential” in an environment of the highest standards “of academic excellence, technological advancement, innovative responsive programming and economic development” is the foundation for CCAC’s General Education program. An educated person is one who acquires and continues to expand upon the following (ASL July 2005):

• A broad range of knowledge upon which to make value judgments
• The skills to locate valid information and comprehend that information
• The ability to analyze critically and synthesize efficiently valid information
• The ability to listen carefully and to communicate effectively

General Education Learning Goals support the above definition of an educated person by uniting student learning experiences across all programs, courses and services at CCAC. General Education Learning Goals include essential knowledge and skills that help students to adapt to and to participate in global, cultural, social, political, economic, personal and technological change. The Learning Goals support students in achieving:

• successful pursuits in higher education
• successful careers
• life-long learning

Upon graduation with an Associate’s Degree, a CCAC student will acquire a level of proficiency comparable with the first two years of a baccalaureate degree in the following General Education areas: Communication, Technological Competency, Information Literacy, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning and Culture and Society.

Communication
Employ written and oral communication skills in order to convey clear and organized information to target audiences for specific purposes.

1. Generate communication that addresses audience and purpose.
2. Employ syntax, usage, style and tone appropriate to academic disciplines and professional environments.
3. Present ideas in an organized framework.
4. Develop ideas using concrete reasoning and clear explanation.

Technological competency
Use digital technology and other discipline-specific technological tools in order to access and communicate information needed to complete tasks.

1. Design, develop, publish and present products (e.g., web pages, videotapes, etc.) using technology resources.
2. Use content-specific tools, software, or simulations for research, information analysis, problem-solving, or decision-making in content learning.
3. Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using technology. 

Critical thinking and problem solving
Identify problems, explore solutions, prioritize solutions and revise priorities as a means for purposeful action.

1. Identify and summarize the problem and/or question in clear and concise terms.
2. Collect and review valid information from various sources.
3. Consider the influence of context and assumptions.
4. Examine various perspectives and recognize the implications and consequences of each.
5. Synthesize and integrate information in order to draw conclusions.
6. Apply findings for purposeful actions.

Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning
Apply appropriate mathematical and/or scientific concepts and theories in order to interpret data and solve problems based on verifiable evidence.

1. Identify and extract relevant data from problems, experiments or projects.
2. Organize data into tables, spreadsheets, graphs, symbols, equations and other visual representations.
3. Analyze and interpret quantitative data using mathematical/scientific concepts.
4. Evaluate evidence and decide if conclusions based upon data are valid and reliable. 

Culture and society
Describe and explain behaviors and beliefs, sociohistorical influences and aesthetic values of various populations within and outside of the United States.

1. Discuss the role of diversity and plurality in the development in the U.S.
2. Review social and cultural conventions within their historical context.
3. Examine the interdependence of humans in their respective and global environments.
4. Analyze and evaluate the significance of cultures and societies from a variety of perspectives.

Information Literacy
Retrieve, analyze, synthesize, organize and evaluate information through technological and traditional means.

1. Determine the nature and extent of information needed.
2. Access information sources efficiently and effectively.
3. Critically evaluate information sources.
4. Critically evaluate information content.
5. Acquire and use information ethically and legally.

Approved through Governance and the President October, 2007