The comments below are directly copied responses sent to Jessica Halterman following the first conference call for the planning of the first OTA Honor Society. They have been posted here for convenience and archival purposes. Additional comments are encouraged.
As subcommittees begin their work, we are happy to facilitate the posting of specific threads for the subcommittees. This will help to focus comments around specific areas, including structure, standards, naming, governance and recruitment/induction of founding members.
Posts
Characteristics: 3.5 + GPA: I support a service component/portfolio/and commitment for on-going involvement with the community/profession
ReplyDeleteLinda L. Orr, MPA, OTR/L
Program Coordinator
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Lewis and Clark Community College
It seems to me that a combination (Hybrid) would work the best for our program. I feel the academic part is certainly an important one, however not all students are 4.0 students, so a combination of both academic achievement as well as service works for me. I also think that the regional system may be better for OTA programs as many are spread out and some states have only 1-2 programs.
ReplyDeleteKathi Eberhardt
South Suburban College
Some thoughts I wanted to jot down. I may send you some more as I let the ideas percolate.
ReplyDeletePrefer Hybrid Model with criteria focused on excellence in academic performance in core OTA courses (12 cr hr.), demonstration of leadership and professional service. Develop core membership criteria to reflect the Centennial Vision and our sister organization Pi Theta Epsilon. Make sure to clearly address leadership roles of COTAs but reasonable for a commuter student body.
Have members be a part of a regional chapter at large versus at an individual program level.
Sustaining Membership might have a fee of some sort every so many years, not annually. But fee could be waived for those who work on committees/projects that serve AOTA , AOTF, state or the profession or the society. (needs defining). AOTA or the national honor society could prepare tasks/needs list for online to assist regional chapters could establish set strategic plans that are in sync with professional strategic goals.
What criteria are used to sustain membership? Should Academic Excellence need to be maintained while in the program?
Use of professional portfolio as model for applying for membership? Who reviews?
Maybe we could have a way to invite some graduates to become members based on academic records to help “seed”/mentor the local /regional chapters. I could see graduates assisting students in professional development so it would be nice to have some way to help alumni play a role. This might be only for the initial inception period.
Rebecca Bahnke
Parkland College
My view as minimum characteristics-Please accept the below thoughts as first impressions post conference call. I am certain that as I sleep on this-I will have some AH Has-I will send them along.
ReplyDeleteA. Students must be enrolled in the core OTA courses in an accredited OTA program and successfully complete 2 semesters (or 1/2 of the total credits needed for graduation. I believe students need to make a real commitment to occupational therapy before receiving an invitation to membership, especially if there is an ongoing commitment.
B.. Minimally, a 3.5 GPA. Based on the discussion it appears that many programs have very high cumulative GPAs. We do not in our OTA Program at KVCC. For example, no 2009 graduate graduated with a 4.0. We had 2 students with a 3.8 plus—one at 3.6 plus—all others were at or below 3.5. This is pretty typical.
C. Service, not necessarily associated education may be acceptable, if documented. Many of our students, like so many OTA students, are non- traditional--second career students, parents, workers, etc. Fitting in service, other than the service committed through service learning in courses, projects outside of class, etc would be a barrier to some otherwise excellent candidates. Maine is rural and we are the only OTA program —it is not uncommon to have people who drive 2-2.5 hours to get to the college for OTA classes. One 2009 graduate drove 86 miles, each way, each day.
Diane Sauter-Davis
Kennebeck Valley Community College
Summary of the Meeting/Minimum Characteristics:
ReplyDeleteI especially like the focus on the use of “leadership” in defining those eligible for the society. I have concerns about programs that have an entire class of 4.0 graduates. Our typical graduates are “B” average with maybe 2-3 out of 15-18 graduating with honors (above 3.5). Our pass rate for the NBCOT exam is quite high and indicates the standards put forth on our students to complete the program (always has been in the high 90’s-100%). Leadership and service learning will enable those programs with all students who are above 3.5 to be selective based upon achievements other than GPA. I would be interested in “Letters of Recommendation” from local clinicians (this can be achieved through a clinical site or through volunteer work – our first Level I clinical is in the 3 term of the program). Also interested in ensuring that students inducted into the society are currently enrolled in “core OTA” courses, since we have large numbers on waiting lists who may never even start the program.
Claudia Miller, OTD, OTR/L
OTA Program Chair
Health and Public Safety Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
I certainly feel that the hybrid model is the way to go due to the variety of possibilities available for students in programs across the country. I have always been a huge advocate of service and feel that a professional honor society in the field of OT must have this component. In addition, a high academic standard gives great meaning to the term “honor” in that only the very brightest and strictly devoted individuals will be eligible to attain this achievement. A number for students to shoot for, such as, 3.5/ 4.0 seems a reasonable goal. I feel that there should be criteria to achieve admittance into the honor society as well as professional expectations once they are officially part of the group. Having a local chapter would give additional strength to the concept of an honor society as it could then be inclusive of current students and alumni.
ReplyDeleteOur college recognizes Phi Theta Kappa as a general honor society. This group holds an annual induction ceremony which includes family members and a candle lighting ceremony along with a guest speaker and readings from some of the past and current inductees. It is really quite lovely. Such an event with an OT focus could be very meaningful for everyone. I can picture having alumni responsible for organizing the event and helping to decide on speakers, etc. Lastly, being connected to an organization on a national level always adds to the level of validity for any group. Perhaps planned mingling of honor society members at conference would do much to support the unique skills and abilities that OTAs offer the profession.
I would be interested in participating in the standards committee.
I would be available for a next phone conference in the afternoon of August 24 or 26.
Here are a few websites that have some interesting information relating to the discussion of naming the society.
http://www.fiji.org/history.htm
http://www.foundalis.com/lan/grkalpha.htm
http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp
http://flagspot.net/flags/us_frat.html
Terra Ruppert, Ph.D., OTR
Director, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Lone Star College -Tomball
30555 Tomball Parkway
Tomball, Texas 77375
281-357-3733
terra.ruppert@lonestar.edu
http://tomball.lonestar.edu/ota
We accept 25-30 students into our program every year. they have 3 semesters in the program and the second semester of the 2nd year or fourth semester is spent out on fieldwork. We usually have between 14 and 18 graduate each year and some go to part time.
ReplyDelete1st semester is 14 credits
2nd semester is 17 credits
3rd is 12 credits and
4th sem. fieldwork is 12 credits.
I am not sure what you want to know related to OTA programs they are all different, though the 5 OTA programs in Wisconsin all have the same curriculum, courses and credit values. This was required by state law.
Please let us know if you need specific information. Thank you
Teri Black COTA ROH
Ideas for the OTA Academy:
ReplyDeleteHybrid Model
I think that the Hybrid model will be a viable option for the OTA honor society. The blend of academic excellence and professional service would touch the broader scope of occupational therapy practice. This option would require not only a focus on self development but also on sharing one’s talents with others in need. This model emulates what occupational therapy is truly about. Occupational therapy practitioners often talk about the need to educate others about our services. The hybrid model will help to reach many goals in our field.
GPA requirement
Some schools shared that the “academic excellence model” option would not present a challenge for their students. Many students have the ability to maintain a high grade point average. Adding a service component will challenge those students to also give back to their
community.
When considering the GPA requirements, I think it is important to think from a cross-cultural viewpoint. The students from the honor society will represent our nation. Economical factors have a direct impact on academic performance. Our state is suffering from an 11% unemployment rate. Many students are returning to school for a second career while raising a family. The current requirement of a 3.5 GPA seems to be reasonable.
Program/Student feedback
When establishing protocols for recognition, we should consider the overall effect on our communities as well as making sure that the criteria would be attractive to all programs. It will be important to have buy-in from programs so that the mission of the committee will be fulfilled.
I think that it is an excellent idea to develop a survey for all programs, faculty and students. The survey could be developed from the ideas received from the meeting on June 17th. It is prudent for the committee to research all options first rather than utilizing a trial and error process as we go. Opinions and ideas are great, but I think some real data to support our mission will be beneficial for all. A two week turn around time for the survey should be sufficient. The survey will help to support the requirements of the award.
The idea of local, regional and state chapters will also be supported through survey results. We could ask about the percentage of students maintaining a 3.5 curriculum GPA and enrollment data. This would help to clarify what types of chapters are needed.
Engagement
Additionally, yearly engagement activities such as national skill challenges and quiz bowls for academics would foster a deeper sense of learning. Regional and state chapters could work together to promote preparation for a national event. This may also encourage student attendance at the student conclave.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve. I am willing to serve as an OTA honor society advisor for my area. This award will generate great energy for our profession. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Tommianne Haithcock