Curriculum Review Task Force
Meeting Summary
February 5, 1999

1. The task force reviewed the committee charge and the Measurable Benchmarks of Success in Medical Student Education in the College of Medicine Academic Plan.

2. The task force reaffirmed the concept of developmental stages as previously approved. Refer to Attachment 1.

3. The vision statement, as adopted by Faculty Council on May 15, 1998, was reviewed. The task force revised the Developmental Stage 1 Core Competencies. Refer to Attachment 2.

4. The task force reviewed key issues and discussed a strategy for moving ahead. Key issues included:
   • A need to convince all stakeholders of the imperative for curriculum review and renewal;
   • The importance of the role of the dean in curricular change;
   • The need to clarify financial issues including departmental and individual faculty level support;
   • The imperative to obtain faculty and student input into the process;
   • The need for faculty development support;
   • The reality that positive efforts were underway (Year I move toward better integration; Neuroscience integrated exam);
   • The imperative for better communication with all stakeholders.

5. The task force received status reports from the two subcommittees.
   1. Structure and Content
      An initial proposal was developed and presented at Faculty Forum, Steering Committee, and Faculty Council. The student members of the task force presented the information to the medical student body. Based upon feedback received, the concept of a major structural change as presented will not be pursued.

      Dr. Lehman presented the concept of refocusing the subcommittee work on content review modeled after a successful cardiovascular review done in 1992 (Cardiovascular Curriculum Review Committee Report, Wexler et al., 5/18/92, available on request from the Office of Medical Education).

      The subcommittee will further develop a proposal for content review for discussion at the next task force meeting. The focus will be on ways to accomplish content review in the context of horizontal and vertical integration and how to accommodate the integration of new material.

   2. Evaluation
      The subcommittee presented an overview of possible approaches to changes in the grading system to Steering Committee and Faculty Council. Faculty Council rejected any notion of converting the entire grading system or any given whole year to a pass/fail system.

      The subcommittee will change its focus from the grading system to evaluation of the courses and curriculum and of student performance.

      The task force reconfirmed its support of the principle that Year I should focus on an integrated approach to normal, with Year II focusing on an integrated approach to abnormal with the recognition that vertical integration between the two years and with the clinical years is essential.

      The task force will develop a recommendation of a series of parameters within which the curriculum should be delivered.

      The task force and the subcommittees will arrange for presentations to Faculty Forum, Steering Committee, Faculty Council, and ECC. Consideration will be given to development of a curriculum renewal website.