Program Assessment, WASC and Cal Poly Pomona Bob Hurt Faculty Associate for Program Assessment and Academic Program Review

Outline Assessment in the WASC standards Local WASC concerns Progress made Ongoing issues

Assessment in the WASC standards (1 of 4) Defining institutional purposes & ensuring educational objectives There is no “single right way” to approach assessment. Assessment must be connected to institutional purpose and educational objectives. The standard calls on us to “develop indicators and evidence” to determine if we’re meeting our own objectives.

Assessment in the WASC standards (2 of 4) Achieving educational objectives through core functions Degrees are defined by what students know / feel / are able to do, not by an accumulation of courses. Expectations for learning are widely shared throughout the campus community. We consistently review programs and demonstrate that our graduates achieve our educational objectives.

Assessment in the WASC standards (3 of 4) Developing & applying resources & organizational structures to ensure sustainability Faculty development activities are strong and consistent. Decision-making processes are transparent. The faculty exercise academic leadership.

Assessment in the WASC standards (4 of 4) Creating an organization committed to learning & improvement Ongoing reflection is a key element of organizational culture, with meaningful faculty involvement being essential. Planning is informed by qualitative and quantitative data. The university employs a deliberate set of quality assurance processes. Various stakeholder groups are involved in assessing program effectiveness.

Local WASC concerns Developing a coordinated approach for assessment Developing a shared understanding of priorities & vision Implementing the new GE program Demonstrating the impact of diversity initiatives on student retention and other objectives

Progress made Program assessment in lieu of APR Faculty associate for assessment and APR Program assessment web page

Progress made Programs from every college developing assessment plans Assessment of non- academic units Administrative affairs Advancement Student affairs

Ongoing issues Time & resources to develop & implement plans Potential sub rosa faculty evaluation Connection between assessment, APR and resources GE program assessment