Assessment as a Dialogue Towards Transformation in Higher Education – Can We Use This for Change? Catherine M. Wehlburg, Ph.D. Associate Provost, Texas Christian University

A Time of Transitions O What is up with higher education???

What Can We Do?

Or….

But How? Assessment officers are Change Agents! (cape not always visible)

What Happens Now? 1. Attack the instrument/measurement O (bad survey, doesn’t measure the brilliance of my program) 2. Attack the methodology O (response rate, timing, sample, “not a perfect experimental design”) 3. Attack the analysis O (“the data was tortured into submission”) 4. Cry, Whine, Pound Fist on Table O (why not give it a try?) 5. Attack the Assessment Officer O (he/she/it isn’t qualified to evaluate me!) --Randy Swing (2008)

But…We Have Data!

…On What Is Important

And…We Know People!

Faculty O Why would faculty change? O They care about student learning O They have institutional knowledge and know what can work and what needs to change O They have direct access to the students O They can push for change in the administration

What Barriers Exist? O Faculty are busy O Faculty focus on their discipline O Faculty are rewarded for work within the department and not (usually) for work outside of their academic area O Faculty may not see assessment or institutional change as their job

How to Overcome O Faculty Communities O Focus on issues as they relate to student learning O Use the Faculty Senate and Committee structure to inform your decisions/process O Visit and listen O Ask for invitations to meetings O Meet the faculty where they are (literally and figuratively

Administrators O Why would administrators change? O They want what is best for the institution O They can keep (or develop) power or influence O Maintaining accreditation is a HUGE issue O The faculty require them to change O They see the value in a new vision

What Barriers Exist? O Administrators are busy O Administrators often see their role as focusing on “THEIR” issue rather than as integrated into the overall institution O They don’t always hear the “talk” and “whispers” O They believe that they are working for the right change

How to Overcome O Provide data and interpret it for them O Bring solutions to existing problems O Make them look good O View their role through their eyes O Keep them informed – and ask for their feedback O Touch base informally when possible

Staff O Why would staff change? O Staff care about students and their futures O New rules, laws, or policies O New situations or roles O Students bring issues to them to solve O Technology changes

What Barriers Exist? O Outdated practices or policies O Lack of insight across campus lines O Not clearly seeing a need for change or an existing problem O No rewards for changing

How to Overcome? O Know the policies – and their history O Talk with staff about issues BEFORE they become problematic (if possible) O Provide them with the data they need to make good decisions O Take on the responsibility for requesting the change (or pass on to other appropriate sources) O Thank them – a lot!

Students O Why would students change? O They do!

So….what do we change? O Higher Education? O Pedagogy O Assessment Practices? O Accreditation Requirements? O Federal Mandates? O All of the Above?

Transformative Change O The change made is more than cosmetic or decorative – it must be meaningful O The change is based on real information that identifies an issue or challenge O The change results in long-lasting improvements

But….HOW??? O Question Everything! O Look Carefully at “Sacred Cows” O Ask the REALLY Hard Questions O Admit Errors or Missteps

BUT…..HOW???? O Get yourself on campus-wide committees O Get yourself involved with strategic planning and implementation O Know your institutional budget – and budget managers O Speak to faculty senate, President’s councils, or any possible group to share data, plans, information, etc. O Tie assessment questions (and results) to strategic plans, institutional programs, and decision-making data points O Get involved at the state and national level, too!

Ask The Right Questions O Are our students meeting our mission statements? Is our Mission Statement any good? O Do faculty teach with the mission statement in mind? How do we know? What does this do for student learning? O Are our students becoming more global? More able to solve problems? Better able to think critically? O What do our constituents want to know? Why? O How do we know? What do we know? O And many, many more….

Because… It’s not about assessment – it’s about learning and it’s about our future!

In a Way – It IS About Assessment… O Assessment Can: O provide the support and backbone to higher education O provide the map into the future O change education by helping us to focus on what is important

BUT….. O Change is hard O Change takes time O Few people (especially those in higher education) enjoy it O You probably won’t be celebrated (at first) O You’ll need your sense of humor

How Many Academics Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb ? O None. That's what research students are for. O Five: One to write the grant proposal, one to do the mathematical modelling, one to type the research paper, one to submit the paper for publishing, and one to hire a student to do the work. O One, but they get three publications out of it.

Or…. One Assessment Change Agent!!!!

Seriously…. O We need to make a difference. O We need to measure learning in ways that can be shared with others and in ways that will make a meaningful difference O Higher education needs to change – but it is a slow process O If we don’t make changes, someone else will – and we won’t like it

We Need to Manage Change and Conflict O Not all conflict is bad O Embrace conflict – know that it can be useful in moving forward O Learn to negotiate – build relationships

Conflict, Change, Resolution “When time and space and change converge, we find place. We arrive in place when we resolve things. Place is peace of mind and understanding. Place is knowledge of self. Place is resolution.” Abdullah Ibrahim, South African pianist and composer.

Bargaining Styles Assessment

What Could Happen? O Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act O State Boards of Education O Legislators (state and national) who do not have good data on student learning O Access Issues O Sustainability Issues O Class Size, Engagement, Pedagogy O Etc., Etc., Etc.,

Someone Has To Do It

It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: It would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad. --C.S. Lewis

Let’s Get Hatched!!!