REPORT TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS Agenda Item #3.3a

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1 REPORT TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS Agenda Item #3.3a SUBJECT TUITION PROPOSAL: DOCTOR OF EDUCATION (Ed.D.) IN READING EDUCATION MEETING DATE DECEMEBER 3, 2015 Forwarded to the Board of Governors on the Recommendation of the President APPROVED FOR SUBMISSION DECISION REQUESTED Martha C. Piper, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor IT IS HEREBY REQUESTED that the UBC Board of Governors approve the proposed tuition fees for the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Reading Education. Report Date October 29, 2015 Presented By Dr. Angela Redish, Provost and Vice-President Academic pro tem Dr. Blye Frank, Dean, Faculty of Education Dr. Anthony Pare, Head, Language and Literacy Education Dr. Jim Anderson, Professor, Language and Literacy Education EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Following UBC s Place and Promise commitment to provide a broad scope of continuing studies programs to support students and life-long learners, and in response to strong expressions of interest from the field, the reactivated Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Reading Education is designed for working professionals in the area of language and literacy education. School districts are seeking research based leadership in the field of literacy education, and thus have strongly advocated for this program, and for their personnel to take it. We anticipate admitting students to a cohort; this number would permit us to provide students with a high level of continuing support and supervision, while also ensuring the viability of the program. The program would consist of 24 credits of course work - 18 required credits and six elective credits, a comprehensive examination, and a dissertation. The program fits well with the supervisory capacity of current faculty in the program area who are members of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The required courses would be drawn from existing courses in the Department of Language and Literacy Education, and electives from the department, from the Faculty of Education, and other units at UBC. The program reflects the principles of flexible learning as courses will be offered on campus and through blended instruction utilizing existing technology. The program will be the only one of its kind in Canada. Proposed tuition is $25,000 for domestic students and $53,500 for international students, effective September 2016, assessed over 12 instalments. Tuition and fee details are included in Appendix 1. Template revised: August 2015

2 Tuition Proposal: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Reading Education INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES SUPPORTED Learning Research Innovation Engagement or Operational (Internal / External) International DESCRIPTION & RATIONALE Description: The Ed.D. in Reading Education is a program with a focus on professional practice in language and literacy education designed for working professionals offered in a cohort format and delivered in a blended manner. It will draw on the considerable academic, research and scholarly strengths of the wellestablished, well regarded Department of Language and Literacy Education (LLED), and indirectly, on other academic units in the Faculty of Education and UBC. Further, the Ed.D. is intended to meet current and emerging needs in literacy education, especially by attending to the contemporary needs of professionals working in language and literacy education who wish to pursue advanced studies with an emphasis on professional practice and leadership in language and literacy education and policy in the field. To support working professionals, students will be admitted into the Ed.D. in cohorts of 12 to 15 and proceed through the program as a group. Reflecting the principles of flexible learning, courses for the cohorts will be offered in a blended on-campus/off-campus/online delivery mode. The program will consist of 18 credits of required course work, and 6 credits of elective courses selected in consultation with the student s advisor, a comprehensive examination, and a dissertation that meets the requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Rationale: The Ed.D. in Reading Education was discontinued in 2000 because of the emphasis placed on the relatively new Ph.D. program in the department. However, over the last decade or so, the need for an alternative to the research intensive Ph.D. program with its emphasis on preparing future academics has become increasingly apparent, especially in the field of education. Indeed, there is a trend internationally toward establishing professional degrees that are complementary to, but different from, the Ph.D. degree. Several factors account for the emergence (or in this case, the re-emergence) of the doctorate in education. First, society is becoming culturally and linguistically more diverse and there is an increasing need for leaders and educators in schools, colleges, community organizations, government departments and ministries with current knowledge to provide leadership and ongoing professional development to support language and literacy educators who work with culturally, linguistically, and socially diverse children, families, and communities. Second, the proliferation of digital technology is changing conceptions and understandings of literacy learning and teaching and, again, Page 2

3 Tuition Proposal: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Reading Education leadership is needed to support teachers and other educators in the area of digital literacy. Third, there is a significant, not-for profit education and community-based sector that continues to expand locally and internationally and requires leaders and educators with current understandings of literacy teaching and learning. Fourth, the other well-established and highly successful Ed.D. in the Faculty attests to the need for advanced degrees designed for working professionals that focus on the application of current theory and research to professional practice. Fifth, a considerable number of M.Ed. and M.A. graduates from the Department of Language and Literacy Education and others from the field have expressed a strong interest in pursuing a doctoral degree that focuses on leadership and professional practice, and not on preparing researchers for the academy. Taken together, this confluence of factors indicates a pressing need for a doctoral degree with a focus on professional practices in language and literacy education. The reactivated Ed.D. in Reading Education would address this growing need. Thus the reactivated Doctorate in Reading Education (Ed.D.) is intended to attract individuals interested in language and literacy in the following contexts: post-secondary institutions, businesses and unions, Indigenous communities, the public sector (health and other government departments/ministries), K-12 school systems, non-government agencies, and consultancies (including entrepreneurs). Currently, there is no other Ed.D. program in Canada with a focus on, or specialization in, language and literacy education and, therefore, we would also address a gap nationally. The tuition fee was arrived at through consultation with students through an on line survey and a series of focus groups. Analysis of the feedback suggests that the proposed fee is the maximum that the market will bear, given that teachers salaries have been capped for a number of years and many other potential clientele working in governmental or non-governmental agencies related to education do not command high salaries. Furthermore, although the Ed.D. will enhance mobility and career advancement, in most cases it will not lead to significant salary increases. Because of the flexible learning design of the programs, students will be able to continue to work. A cost/benefit analysis indicates that the program is financially sustainable and that it will make a substantial contribution to research capacity, knowledge mobilization and policy development. The budget takes into account the possibility that some students may leave before completing the program, although we have structured the program to reduce this risk. The program has been approved by the Provosts Office. Some funds have been budgeted for student awards for qualified students who need some financial support. Page 3

4 Tuition Proposal: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Reading Education BENEFITS Learning, Research, Financial, Sustainability & Reputational As noted, the department is recognized nationally and internationally for its high quality research, scholarship and teaching. Students in the program will study with and be supported by faculty members engaged in cutting edge research in language and literacy education. Because the program is designed for working professionals, the flexible learning format will address their learning needs. As well, students will help in identifying issues, problems, and questions that are of significance to them and their communities and thus promote research and knowledge mobilization through action research or collaborative research with schools and school districts and other institutions. Indeed, in this way, the program will promote and profile UBC community engagement. The program will be in the public interest in that it will develop leadership in language and literacy education, as well as capacity in research and knowledge generation and mobilization in schools, colleges, libraries, not-for-profit and other agencies in communities throughout British Columbia and beyond. The costs of faculty members involvement will be recovered and the program will be financially sustainable. No extra faculty will be needed as workloads will be adjusted internally within the department. RISKS Financial, Operational & Reputational Overall, there is minimal risk because we are utilizing current resources and there are no risks in terms of capital outlay. There is some minimal risk of students withdrawing from the program but it will be mitigated by a careful and stringent admission process, ongoing support and supervision by experienced faculty members, and by drawing on the vast experience and expertise of faculty members in designing, coordinating, teaching and supervising cohorts of working professionals. If the program is not successful and the cohort does not attract enough students, faculty workloads can be adjusted. Page 4

5 Tuition Proposal: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Reading Education COSTS Capital & Lifecycle Operating There are limited capital costs because we are availing of current capacity and using existing resources. Based on the approved budget, the operating costs are recovered. We will review the financial structure prior to the first cohort of students completing the program and before a second cohort of students is admitted. One-time and Capital Expenses Marketing: $5,000. Total for Program: $5,000. Full cohort program operating expenses (assumes annual GWI increase of 2% on all salaries, and annual inflationary increase of 2% on all other item): Program Coordination: $7,500 / yr = $31,000 / 4-year cohort program Instruction cost (4 courses in year 1, 2 courses in year 2): $45,300 / 4-year cohort program Cohort Student Advising: $7,500/yr = $31,000 / 4-year cohort program Supervision costs ($1,500/student x 15 students) = $22,700 / 4-year program EdD awards: $5,000 / yr = $20,600 / 4-year program Visiting scholars/workshops: $22,000 / 4-year program Travel costs: $10,000 / 4-year program Miscellaneous: $4,000 / 4-year program Overhead (20%): $16,000 / year = $60,100/ 4-year program Total Program Operating Expenses: $246,700 Total One Time plus Operating Expenses: $251,700. Total Cohort Tuition Revenue (after Allocation to Central): $300,613 FINANCIAL Funding Sources, Proposed program tuition fee is $25,000 for domestic students and $53,500 for international students, effective 2016 Winter Session, assessed over twelve instalments. The program will be funded through student tuition. It will have a slight positive impact on debt ratios. SCHEDULE Implementation Timeline Program to begin September, Page 5

6 Tuition Proposal: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Reading Education CONSULTATION Relevant Units, Internal & External Constituencies Departments and units within the Faculty of Education including the Education library were consulted, as was the University Librarian; all support the program. We also held meetings with educators in four school districts/communities in the Lower Mainland and conducted an online survey of potential applicants. We also met with the Senior Leadership Team of the Surrey School District, the largest and fastest growing school district in the province, and with many recently hired teachers and administrators. They expressed keen interest in the program and in promoting and supporting participation of their employees. Students were consulted about the tuition fee through the VP Students office consultation process, and a meeting was held with student representatives on October 8 th, The student consultation report is attached. The UBC Senate approved the Ed. D. in Reading Education at its September 16 th, 2015 meeting. Page 6

7 Tuition Proposal: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Reading Education Appendix 1 Program Tuition and Fee Assessment Details Program Description: Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) in Reading Education Start Date of the Program: 2016 Winter Session Domestic International Program Tuition Fees $25, $53, Minimum No. of Instalments Amount per Instalment $2, $4, Continuing Fees per Instalment (assessed after 12 instalments) - Note 1 $ $2, Application Fees - Note 2 $98.25 $ Supplemental Application Fees Not Applicable Not Applicable Non-Refundable Acceptance Deposit Not Applicable Not Applicable Other Faculty and Course Fees Not Applicable Not Applicable Note 1. This is the current standard rate for 2015W and is subject to annual increases. Note 2. This is the current standard rate for the 2015W application cycle and is subject to annual increases. Page 7

8 DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN READING EDUCATION (ED.D) STUDENT TUITION CONSULTATION REPORT The Vice-President, Students Office, in partnership with the Faculty of Education, conducted a student consultation regarding the tuition proposal for the Doctor of Education in Reading Education (Ed.D). This report outlines the consultation process and summarizes student feedback including the student representatives' submission verbatim in Appendix 2. Student Representative Bodies Invited to the Consultation Alma Mater Society (AMS) Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC International Students Association (ISA) Education Student Association (ESA) Graduate Student Council of the Faculty of Education (GSFE) Mode of Consultation The consultation consisted of an e-consultation and a face-to-face meeting. Student representative groups were invited to the consultation through , and asked to distribute the invitation to their constituents as they felt appropriate. Student representative groups were also offered a face-to-face meeting to discuss the tuition proposal. A meeting with student representatives and faculty representatives occurred on October 8 th, 2015 Basis of Consultation: The consultation was based on a tuition proposal and rationale document created by the Faculty. Please see Appendix 1 for the invitation and tuition rationale document. Timelines: The e-consultation was conducted over the period of September 19 th 2015 to October 28 th Summary of Student Feedback: A joint submission was received from the AMS and International Students Association. The verbatim submission is in Appendix 2. Organization Joint Student submission Summary TUITION STRUCTURE: Overall the domestic tuition proposal is in line with other masters programs in the faculty, and falls in line with the cohort model of the program. With courses delivered specifically to this group, the need to have resources to provide specific support to the students in this program is understandable and the proposed $25,000 over four years answers to that claim. INTERNATIONAL TUITION: One issue flagged in a consultation meeting on October 8, 2015 with the Faculty of Education was that international tuition was not initially proposed. However, this has been resolved since then. The proposal of $53,500 for the international tuition over 4 years seems reasonable next to its counterparts, and would incentivize international teachers finding a position surrounding Vancouver to continue their studies at UBC. No individual student submissions were received.

9 APPENDIX 1: INVITATION TO CONSULTATION AND TUITION RATIONALE DOCUMENT Good morning, There is a proposal by the Faculty of Education to create a Doctor of Education in Reading Education. In order to inform the program leads and the Board of Governors with regards to the tuition proposal for this program, the University is undertaking a consultative process to get your comments as student representatives, and provide an opportunity for students to provide individual comments on the tuition proposal if they wish. Please note: the scope of this consultation process is limited to the tuition proposal. The consultation will consist of: 1. e-consultation Please find attached a document which outline the details of the tuition proposal, including: an overview of the program, the tuition rationale for the program, and the proposed tuition. Please share the document and this as you see appropriate. Comments on the tuition proposal and student organization submissions can be provided confidentially to: Natasha Moore (natasha.moore@ubc.ca) - Analyst, Vice President Students Office. 2. Face to Face meeting If requested by student representatives, we can arrange a face-to-face meeting with the program leads regarding this tuition proposal. Please advise as soon as possible if you would like us to arrange a meeting. THE CONSULTATION PROCESS WILL END OCTOBER 28TH Confidentiality Comments will be collected by the Vice-President Students Office, and only analysts within that office will know the identity of individual students submitting comments. At no time will anyone outside of the Vice President Students Office know the identity of individual students who submit comments to this consultation. Your comments will only be used for the purposes of the tuition consultation. Comments from individual students will be stripped of any identifying information to ensure confidentiality, but otherwise will be provided to the responsible program leads and Board of Governors verbatim. Comments received from student organizations will be reported as coming from those organizations, and provided to the responsible faculty and Board of Governors as received. There will also be a summary report of the consultation developed for the Faculty and Board of Governors. Please let me know if you have any questions about the process. Thank you Natasha

10 NEW PROGRAM TUITION CONSULTATION DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN READING EDUCATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Ed.D. in Reading Education is designed for working professionals in the area of language and literacy education. We anticipate admitting students to a cohort; this number would permit us to provide students with a high level of continuing support and supervision, while also ensuring the viability of the program. The program would consist of 24 credits of course work - 18 required credits and 6 elective credits, a comprehensive examination, and a dissertation. Full time faculty who are members of the Faculty of Graduate and Postgraduate Studies and who have active research programs will teach the courses and advise and supervise the students. The required courses would be drawn from existing courses in the Department of Language and Literacy Education, and electives from the department, from the Faculty of Education, and other units at UBC. The program reflects the principles of flexible learning as courses will be offered on campus and through blended instruction utilizing existing technology. Key features of the program The program is designed for working professionals and embodies the principles of flexible learning with courses being delivered in a blended on-campus/off-campus mode. Each student will work with an advisor/supervisor and a supervisory committee who will provide on-going guidance and support. STUDENT CONSULTATION DURING THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS A major impetus for reactivating the Ed.D. program has been requests from students who have graduated from our M.Ed. and M.A. programs for an alternative doctoral program to the research intensive, Ph.D. program focused on preparing students for academic careers. We have consulted with students in developing the program, and its orientation and structure reflect their input. TUITION AND FEES RATIONALE We anticipate admitting students to each cohort, each of whom will work with an advisor/supervisor and an advisory/supervisory committee of at least two other faculty members. Students will complete a dissertation which requires considerable support and supervision on the part of faculty members. The program will employ a blended, on-campus/on-line delivery mode using existing technology. A coordinator with release time will oversee the program, monitoring program coherence and quality and ensuring students are making satisfactory progress in completing the program. The proposed program tuition fees of $25,000 are based on feedback from prospective students through an online survey with about 80 participants and four focus group sessions held across the Lower Mainland, as well as on individual meetings of faculty members with prospective students. The tuition fees are below those of other Ed.D. programs as the cohort model allows us to keep costs lower. Costs of comparable programs The only other Ed.D. program offered by UBC is in Educational Leadership and Policy; its tuition fees are $31, There is no other Ed.D. program in Language and Literacy Education in Canada. PROPOSED TUITION AND FEES The proposed tuition fee is $25,000 over four years.

11 APPENDIX 2: STUDENT SUBMISSIONS There was one joint submission from the AMS and ISA.

12 Submission to the UBC Board of Governors Regarding the Proposed Tuition for the Doctor of Education in Reading Education On Behalf of Alma Mater Society of UBC Vancouver International Students Association October 20, 2015 Dear Board of Governors, This submission is being made on behalf of the Alma Mater Society (AMS) and the International Students Association (ISA) of UBC Vancouver in response to the request for feedback from the Vice-President Students Office sent to these groups on September 20 th, 2015 on the tuition for the Doctor of Education in Reading Education. Overall the domestic tuition proposal is in line with other masters programs in the faculty, and falls in line with the cohort model of the program. With courses delivered specifically to this group, the need to have resources to provide specific support to the students in this program is understandable and the proposed $25,000 over four years answers to that claim. The AMS appreciates that the Faculty of Education took into account the situation of most professionals who would be accessing this program, ensuring that the program fees would be accessible to them at their level of income. One issue flagged in a consultation meeting on October 8, 2015 with the Faculty of Education was that international tuition was not initially proposed. However, this has been resolved since then. The proposal of $53,500 for the international tuition over 4 years seems reasonable next to its counterparts, and would incentivize international teachers finding a position surrounding Vancouver to continue their studies at UBC. Though this program is not aimed at international students because of the blended nature, the AMS and ISA are very happy to see an international tuition fee being presented during this consultation, and thank the Faculty of Education and Provost s Office for working quickly to determine the appropriate tuition. The AMS and ISA are grateful to the University and Faculty of Education for including student input throughout the process, and especially in the tuition consultation. The AMS strongly encourages the University to act upon the recommendations aforementioned. Sincerely, Jenna Omassi Vice President Academic and University Affairs AMS Student Society of UBC Vancouver vpacademic@ams.ubc.ca Kardelen Calikiran President International Students Association president@ubcinternational.ca