Departments begin outcomes assessment

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by April Schulthies

As part of an effort to bolster the effectiveness of instruction, 17 departments will participate in Student Learning Outcomes Assessment beginning this fall, according to Dr. Brandt Kehoe, interim associate provost for academic affairs. Student learning outcomes assessment consists of activities geared to determine if students are meeting a program's learning goals. Results are used to improve the effectiveness of degree programs.

In preparation for assessment, each participating department makes explicit the mission, goals, and learning objectives for its degree programs. The department then plans a variety of assessment activities over the next five years. To foster assessment as an ongoing part of program curricular review, participating departments were allowed to replace the currently scheduled program review with assessment plan development, Kehoe said.

"Outcomes assessment is basically a careful look at what the program is about and what it is trying to accomplish," explained Kehoe. "With assessment, you can identify areas in which the program can be more successful and provide guidance for appropriate changes in courses, curriculum, modes of instruction and instructional environment."

Kehoe coordinates the development of outcomes assessment plans with the director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Dr. Ethelynda Harding, and associate dean for the Division of Graduate Studies, Dr. Dianne Dickerson.

Programs participating in outcomes assessment will carry out one to two assessment activities per year for the next five years prior to their next program review, for a total of seven to eight activities over the five-year period. At least two of the activities must be direct measures of student learning and one must be an alumni survey.

Departments will include assessment activities and resulting program changes in annual reports, making assessment an important component of subsequent program reviews.

Kehoe explained that departments should feel comfortable probing areas that may need improvement without fear of negative consequence. This May the Academic Policy and Planning Committee and the Executive Committee approved a policy which states that outcomes assessment data and information are the property of the assessing department and are not to be used in personnel or resource allocation decisions.

As degree programs begin outcomes assessment activities this fall, more programs will enter the planning stages for their own assessments the following academic year.