Assessment in Action at the Community College: Initiatives and Progress League for Innovation in the Community College March 29, 2010 Dr. Christine Harrington Dr. Karen Hays Alice Picardo Middlesex County College
Learning Outcomes for Today’s Session: Participants will be able to describe institutional assessment strategies and apply these strategies to their institution. Participants will be able to identify the essential elements of a campus wide assessment website.
Assessment: Getting Started Assessment Working Group Summer Institute Assessment Website Workshops and Consultation
Assessment Working Group Faculty Service Areas Administrators
Assessment Summer Institute Strong Administrative Support Small Group -> Large Group Assessment Process Shifting to Outcomes Defining Academic Excellence: The Faculty Voice
Defining Assessment Assessment is gathering and Faculty evaluation What it is… What it is NOT! Assessment is gathering and using data to improve student learning and services. Integrated and ongoing Driven by faculty in collaboration with administration Faculty evaluation About “proving” what we do is effective Up to one person to decide Designed to be done and put on a shelf until Middle States arrives
Simplifying the Assessment Process Define Learning and Service Outcomes Choose Assessment Method Collect and Use Data to Improve Learning and Services
“Don’t Re-Invent the Wheel” Professional Associations Other Colleges Learning from Others on Campus
Why Assessment? Allows us to look at the big picture. Keeps us focused on what is important to us- what do we want to accomplish? Guides our decision making- how can we improve what we do? Useful tool to communicate to others – students, families, accreditation bodies.
Striving for Balance and Keeping Focused… Manageable yet Meaningful Productive not Perfect
Sharing Assessment Data??? Assessment Website Sharing Assessment Data???
Assessment Website
Resources and Power Point Presentations
Academic Departments: Jan 2010 56% 78% 74%
Viewing and Submitting Assessment Materials
Assessment Workshops Academic Service (Non-Academic)
Assessment Workshops Creating Learning and Service Outcomes Creating Assessment Plans: Direct and Indirect Methods Implementing Assessment Plans: Addressing Logistical Issues Program and Department Maps Maintaining our Momentum and Celebrating Our Accomplishments Surveys and Assessment
Needs Assessment -->On-Line Tutorials Narrated Power Points Learning Outcomes Service Outcomes Course Abstracts Assessment Plans and Using Data
Examples of Assessment Work
Strategic Plan Map
Assessment: Current Initiatives Assessment and Research Technician Course Evaluation Tools Streamlining Assessment Publicizing Course Abstracts Improve Website