The Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities, Commission on Colleges, has given Pierce College District their stamp of approval through the accreditation process. Based on a regular fifth year interim report and evaluation visit, the Commission on Colleges commended the district for the progress it has made, specifically in the areas of planning and budget, assessment of learning, distance education, mission and goals, communication and strategic planning.
The accreditation process encourages continuous improvement and growth in colleges and universities through peer review. As a result of the 1997 self-study, the Pierce College District incorporated five core abilities into its courses (multiculturalism; communication; information competency; critical thinking; and responsibility). In addition, the district has rewritten all curricula to include specific learning outcomes and new ways to assess student learning.
Three major projects have begun this academic year in developmental education, mathematics and computer science that all address the core abilities, their integration into college curriculum and incorporate innovative assessments. The National Science Foundation awarded the computer information systems program a grant to teach under-represented groups in more effective ways. The math department is participating in writing integrated curriculum as part of a National Numeracy Network project. Developmental education is on the leading edge of a national project to include performance tasks as assessment methods (tests) for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
Pierce College District is comprised of two colleges Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and Pierce College Puyallup as well as a large Extended Learning operation. The district serves about 30,000 individuals annually through a variety of programs and classes.