6/4/ Assessor Refresher 2007 FOSL fall Center for Teaching and Learning

6/4/ Assessment is … Identifying the learning goals (intended student outcomes, or “ISO’s”) a program or department has. Reflecting on ways a curriculum (individual courses) contributes to those goals. Exploring ways to measure or quantify what students should know and be able to do at the end of a program.

6/4/ Assessment is not… Grades at the end of a course. What instructors teach but rather what students learn. Punitive

6/4/ Sample assessment activities Capstone courses Internships Thesis papers Musical performances Artistic exhibits Portfolios Exit surveys Alumni surveys Employer reports Focus groups

6/4/ Components of an Assessment Plan LINK: Link to the institutional and department missions. OUTCOMES: Identify intended student outcomes (learning goals; “ISO’s”) to be assessed each year: what do we want our students to know, do, and value at the end of our program? MEANS: Identify two means of assessment (whenever possible) for each outcome. BENCHMARK: Identify benchmark for “success”: e.g the score, percentage, etc. that will be used to denote students’ achievement of the intended student outcome.

6/4/ Components of an Assessment Report LINK: Link to the institutional and department missions. OUTCOMES: Identify intended student outcomes (learning goals; “ISO’s”) to be assessed each year: what do we want our students to know, do, and value at the end of our program? MEANS: Identify two means of assessment (whenever possible) for each outcome. BENCHMARK: Identify benchmark for “success”: e.g the score, percentage, etc. that will be used to denote students’ achievement of the intended student outcome. REPORT: After assessment has been completed, report results. IMPROVE: Improve programs/services.

6/4/ Taking action: making the plan into a report Data need to be collected and reviewed. Departments should plan a block of time and discuss assessment results. MINI-GRANT ALERT! What do the results tell us about our program? If intended student outcomes (learning goals) have not been met, what needs to be revised in order to achieve the goals during the next assessment cycle? Assessment report should include assessment results AND the proposed CHANGES in program based on results.

6/4/ Assessment Timeline: Now: Collect data. Discuss data with department. Propose changes based on data. January 10, 2008: Reports Due! Reminder: Assessment report should include assessment results AND the proposed CHANGES in program based on results. January - March 2008: Create a plan for the assessment cycle. April 1, 2008: Assessment plans due for the cycle.

6/4/ The Center for Teaching and Learning is here to help! Please see our website to download assessment forms and helpful tips! Questions? Contact us at Now let’s work on our reports!

6/4/ “The potential of structured, on-going, systematic, and fully implemented assessment programs to transform all our institutions into student centered learning organizations, and to bring about changes that will improve student learning is real and exciting.” Cecilia Lopez, Associate Director, NCA