Applying Learning Assessment Results to Strategic Planning at Multiple Levels Jannie R. Cobb, Librarian & Professor Jennifer M. Harrison, Associate Professor & Director of Learning Assessment

Learning Objectives This session is designed to help you … Understand how a focused approach to competency measurement can contribute to planning at multiple levels. Envision applications for learning assessment results at your own school.

The National Labor College  Focused on educating union members  Founded by the AFL-CIO in 1969  Became a degree granting institution in 1997  Earned MSCHE accreditation in 2004; reaccredited in 2010  Crafted a degree completion path for adult learners with a bachelor of arts in labor studies  Launched new degrees in construction, business, and emergency management in 2011

Course Learning Objectives Program Learning Objectives Core Competencies Mission NLC Strategic Planning & Learning Assessment: Begin With What You Already Have

NLC’s Mission

NLC’s Core Competencies Leadership Critical Thinking Effective CommunicationGlobal Thinking Information LiteracyTechnological Proficiency

Closing the Assessment Loop We used rubrics, satisfaction surveys, use statistics, and reflective papers to build our measurements We’ll look at how we applied results at the institutional-, program-, and course- levels We looked at learning opportunities in multiple programs Student Learning Objectives connect across programs through core competencies. 1. Craft Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) 2. Offer Learning Opportunities 3. MeasureApply Results

Learning Measures We compiled learning results across the curriculum and applied the results to strategic planning, program development, and courses.

Institutional-Level Applications: Strategic Academic Excellence

Strategic Planning Cycle Designed to include all of the college’s communities (students, unions, alumni, faculty, staff). March Executive Team Drafts Goals April-May Enrollment & Finance Plans June BOT Approves Strategic Plan July-Sept College-Wide Action Planning & Data Reporting Oct-Feb Grassroots Planning Meetings

Institutional-Level Applications: Learning Assessment & Strategic Goals I. Enhance Academic ExcellenceII. Expand OpportunityIII. Strengthen Student Services IV. Achieve Financial Sustainability

Institutional-Level Applications: Focus on Strategic Goal 1 I. Enhance Academic Excellence Objectives: 1. Establish explicit benchmarks for measuring academic excellence 2. Maintain and advance a culture of evidence and evidence-based decision- making 3. Refine and develop necessary policies, procedures, processes and support to achieve academic excellence.

Institutional-Level Applications: Measuring Academic Excellence with Student Satisfaction Data

Institutional-Level Applications: Measuring Academic Excellence with Capstone Analysis

Institutional-Level Applications: Applying the Results Clarified Core Competencies (2008) Mapped Program and Course SLOs (2008-9) Developed Information Literacy Resources (2008-9) Created the Learning Assessment Plan (2009) Formalized Annual Capstone Norming Sessions (2009) Established Writing Diagnostics (2008-9, 2011) Implemented a Writing-Across-the- Curriculum Policy (2009, 2010) Created the School for Professional Studies (SPS) ( ) Instituted Learning Assessment Plan for SPS (2010) Updated the Digital Library ( ) Developed New Curriculum ( )

Program-Level Application: Building a Digital Library

Program-Level Applications: Focus on Information Literacy

Program-Level Applications: Research Across the Curriculum

Program-Level Results: Library Use Statistics

Program-Level Applications: Learning Assessment & New Curriculum

Program-Level Applications: Diagnostic Applications CT = Critical Thinking EC = Effective Communication IL = Information Literacy

Program-Level Applications: Course-Level Applications CT = Critical Thinking EC = Effective Communication IL = Information Literacy

Opportunity-Level Applications CT = Critical Thinking EC = Effective Communication IL = Information Literacy

Other Applications Integrated learning assessment training in our labor educator certificate program Students work in groups to craft learning objectives, design lessons, and build measurement tools.

Minute Assessment What was the most useful thing you learned during this session on learning assessment? What important question remains unanswered?

Questions? Jannie R. Cobb Librarian & Professor Jennifer M. Harrison Associate Professor & Director of Learning Assessment