Assessment 101: Or Why and How to Assess ACRAO Spring Conference 2011 Presenter: Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers

Assessment is any effort to gather, analyze, and interpret evidence which describes institutional, divisional or agency effectiveness. Upcraft & Schuh, 1996 What is assessment anyway?

 Provides us with data about student learning and/or program improvement  Allows decisions to be evidence based  Provides us with information for resource allocation  Offers evidence for accountability, accreditation, and best practices Why Assess in Student Services?

Interpret Evidence and make Changes GoalsObjectivesMeasures Gather and Analyze Data What does assessment look like? Mission

 Mission Statement: A mission statement explains why your organization exists and what it hopes to achieve in the future. It articulates the organization’s essential nature, its values and its work.  Goal: Goals are general statements about knowledge, skills, attitudes and values expected in graduates of the program. Goals are written to align with the holistic vision of the mission. Typically, multiple goals are drawn from the mission statement. Examples: Problem Solving Skills, Clear Communication, etc. Terms

 Objectives/Outcomes: Objectives are brief, clear statements that describe the desired learning outcomes of instruction. Examples: What do you want students to be able to do? What do you want students to know? Specific Results that can be measured!  Measures: Instruments you will be using to see if you have achieved your objectives Examples: Surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.

 Everyone on the campus is speaking the same language  Students are clear about program and activities expectations  Make it clear to others, i.e. accrediting bodies what you programs are accomplishing  Apply the results of your assessment to make improvements  Move Student Services out of simply being student satisfaction and into the realm of student learning! Why all the Terms???

 Meaningful: Assess what is important and supports your goals and mission  Manageable: keep it simple in terms of time, skills, and resources  Measurable: A way to know if the objective is achieved (can it be observed or counted) The Three M’s of Assessment

Mission Goal 1Objective 1Measure 1Data AnalysisProposed Changes Goal 2Objective 2Measure 2 Develop a Template for your Assessment

Bloom’s Taxonomy 2001 revision

 Goal 1: Effective Communication Objective 1.1: Students will understand transfer policy as it relates to timeline for transferring of credits and impact on registration. Measures: Direct: Review data of incoming transfer students, i.e. student submission of transfer data, correlation of transfer credit as it relates to registration. Indirect: Survey students about their experiences transferring credits and its impact on their registration. Sample Goals and Objectives

Let’s Play! Drafting a Learning objective/outcomes Make a list What do you want student to demonstrate in terms of knowledge, skill, and attitudes upon completion of activity. Activity

Students will [insert action verb] [something] [in a situation or under what circumstances]. How do you write up an objective or outcome?

Let’s Share!

QUESTIONS

 National Association for College Admissions Counseling National Association for College Admissions Counseling  Schuh, J., & Upcraft, M. (Eds. ). (2001) Assessment practice in student affairs: An application manual. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass.  Upcraft, M.L. & Schuh, J.H. (1996) Assessment in student affairs: A guide for Practitioners. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass. References and Resources

Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers Contact Information