FDTC partnering with ACUE to improve student outcomes
This Fall Semester, Florence-Darlington Technical College is launching a partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), the leader in student success through quality instruction, to equip 99 members of the college's faculty and staff with evidence-based practices shown to boost student persistence, retention, and completion.
"We have the best faculty within higher education, and this collaboration with ACUE is an investment in our faculty which also means a direct investment in our students' success," FDTC President Dr. Jermaine Ford said. "The ACUE professional development program aligns with our FDTC strategic priorities for fostering excellence in education through innovative and effective teaching and learning methodologies to enhance the overall student experience.”
Faculty and staff who complete a comprehensive course become certified in ACUE's Effective Teaching Practice Framework, the only nationally recognized collegiate teaching certification endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE). They will participate in a yearlong course to develop core competencies outlined in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practice Framework©.
Based on more than three decades of research, this framework guides course-takers to gain foundational knowledge, implement evidence-based practices, reflect on their implementation, and refine their practice. Numerous independently validated impact studies show that students achieve higher levels of success when enrolled in courses led by faculty certified in ACUE's Framework.
“Our students are why we do what we do,” Ford said. “Our top priorities are helping our students succeed and getting them ready to join the workforce or transfer to a four-year university upon completion. The end goal is for every student to have post-graduate success without debt when they leave FDTC.”
ACUE's courses address over 200 evidence-based practices, covering how to design an effective course, establish a productive learning environment, use active learning techniques, promote higher-order thinking, and create a stronger sense of belonging for students on campus.
To learn more about FDTC visit the college’s website at fdtc.edu.
About Florence Darlington Technical College: Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) has provided affordable technical education to many thousands of Pee Dee-area students since 1963. The college strives for student success and workforce development while providing its students with a high-quality education that leads to post-graduate success and little to no debt. FDTC currently enrolls more than 3,500 curriculum students and nearly 3,500 noncredit students annually through the college’s Corporate and Workforce Development division. Additionally, the College is home to the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT). For more information, visit www.fdtc.edu.
About ACUE: The Association of College and University Educators’ (ACUE) mission is to ensure student success through quality instruction. ACUE delivers the highest-quality courses, pathways, and certifications with quick-to-implement practices that make a huge impact on student success. Instructors certified in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practice Framework are proven to boost persistence and completion for students, improve faculty confidence and engagement, and help institutions meet their strategic goals. Endorsed by the American Council on Education, ACUE’s online, cohort-based courses are delivered through institutional partnerships and open enrollment courses and are higher education’s only provider of nationally recognized teaching certifications. To learn more, visit acue.org.