1. Understanding the Research: Student Learning Outcomes and the Accreditation Standards
Stephanie Curry, Reedley College
Jarek Janio, Santa Ana College
Randy Beach, ASCCC Executive Committee, Southwestern College

2. Objectives and Outcomes
Provide an overview of outcomes assessment as a research tool that can be used in curriculum development, professional development for teachers, and various planning processes
Be able to explain outcomes assessment as a form of academic research, the accreditation standards associated with outcomes assessment, and how outcomes relate to planning.
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

3. SLO Assessment as Academic Research
Action Research vs. Empirical Research
SLOs as academic research
Shift emphasis to SLOs as a tool for assessing student success, program viability, and teaching methods
Assessment should be “consequential”
The focus in the standard is using the research to impact planning especially at the program level
Resolution SP “Student Learning Outcomes Assessment is a Curricular Matter”
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

4. Writing and Revising SLOs Based on Course Objectives
Major Skills/Concepts Taught by the CO
Course Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

5. Effective Practices for Writing and Revising
Collaborating with faculty
Curriculum mapping to objectives
Curriculum mapping to program outcomes
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Continuous Quality Improvement (making changes to SLOs is expected)
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

6. Curriculum and Academic Programs: Standards
Outcomes assessment most prevalent in I and II Standards
I.B.1 Dialog on outcomes
I.B.2 For academic programs and student services
I.B.5 Outcomes measure accomplishment of mission
I.B.6 Disaggregation
II.A.1 Programs must have outcomes
II.A.3 Outcomes in course outlines and on syllabus
II.A.10 Outcomes are similar in articulated courses
II.A.11 Program outcomes for specific competency areas
II.A.12 SLOs as metric to determine GE inclusion
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

7. Non-credit and Outcomes
Same rules as for credit
Faculty Learning Community (FLC)
Discussion forum for program improvement
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

8. Outcomes and Student Services Standards II B&C
Standards (IIB3, IIC2)
The institution identifies and assesses learning support outcomes for its student population and provides appropriate student support services and programs to achieve those outcomes. The institution uses assessment data to continuously improve student support programs and services.
Data driven assessment- (Use # of students served, # of SEPs, compare the achievement data for those who use services, pre/post tests, surveys)
Disaggregate when it makes sense
Document how you have used data to improve student services and then reassess
Library Example
Disaggregated by Basic Skills and Transfer level courses
Statistical Significance-- Authority
Widespread discussion, change and reassessment.
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

9. Institutional Learning Outcomes
Standards (IB2, IC4, IIA1, IIA9, IIA11)
Do your faculty, staff, students know your ISLOs?
Goes beyond Curriculum Mapping (Need Dynamic Review, Assessment, Discussion)
Key: Assessment, Evaluation, Changes, Reassessment
Document Widespread discussion and use data for planning and dialog
Reedley College Example
Realized no one knew the ISLOs. “I mapped to them a couple of years ago”
Task force assigned
Opening day focus- Discussion of ISLOs (relevance)
Breakout groups by each of the 4 ISLOs to identify ways to assess outcomes (dialog across disciplines)
Results distributed to all (including community) through college newsletter
Tasks assigned to SLO committee for implementation
SLO annual update shows progress made each year.
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

10. ASCCC Spring Plenary, April 21- 23, 2016 Sacramento, CA
Program Outcomes
Are the synthesis of outcomes from all courses in the sequence (the “Big Picture”) developed across courses
Measure that students have achieved the “purpose” of the program
Can be measured directly and indirectly
Are developed by faculty as an agreement of the purpose and value of the program
Help students understand what they will learn/benefit
Provide metrics for assessing
Success of the course sequencing
Student readiness to move ahead in their education/career
Program viability needs (resources/curriculum changes, etc).
Promote dialog within the department/program to be documented
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

11. SLOs, Program Review, and Resource Allocation
Outcomes research informs planning at all levels
Outcomes assessment incorporates the students’ voices and needs
Ties program improvements to quantifiable data
Serves as a narrative for budget development
Create a “data story” to explain impact and recommended actions
“Data story” recommendations inform, support, justify resources
Allows for tracking of resource expenses to planning
Provides evidentiary documentation for accreditation
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

12. ASCCC Spring Plenary, April 21- 23, 2016 Sacramento, CA
SLO Disaggregation
I.B.5 The institution assesses accomplishment of its mission through program review and evaluation of goals and objectives, student learning outcomes, and student achievement. Quantitative and qualitative data are disaggregated for analysis by program type and mode of delivery.
I.B.6. The institution disaggregates and analyzes learning outcomes and achievement for subpopulations of students. When the institution identifies performance gaps, it implements strategies, which may include allocation or reallocation of human, fiscal and other resources, to mitigate those gaps and evaluates the efficacy of those strategies.
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

13. ASCCC Spring Plenary, April 21- 23, 2016 Sacramento, CA
SLO Disaggregation
Disaggregate the data on things that are important to you and address your research question
Tips for approaching the collection of the data to disaggregate
Demographics
DE vs On-ground
Evening vs Day
Main Location vs. Centers
Majors vs. Non-majors
AP vs non-AP
Equity and course/program outcomes
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

14. ASCCC Spring Plenary, April 21- 23, 2016 Sacramento, CA
WASC and Outcomes
“The institution’s student learning outcomes and standards of performance are clearly stated at the course, program, and, as appropriate, institutional level.These outcomes and standards are reflected in academic programs, policies, and curricula, and are aligned with advisement, library, and information and technology resources, and the wider learning environment.” (Teaching and Learning 2.3 )
Student learning outcomes are reflected in course syllabi.
Assessment, along with program review, is an essential tool that supports the goals and values of the accreditation process.
2013 WASC Handbook of Accreditation Revised
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

15. ASCCC Spring Plenary, April 21- 23, 2016 Sacramento, CA
WASC and Outcomes
“Since aggregate data can mask disparities among student subpopulations, institutions are advised to disaggregate their data, going beyond demographic characteristics.”
Expectation that outcomes assessment research is used in program review
Expectation that outcomes assessment research informs resource allocation
Expectation that outcomes assessment has led to documented change
2013 WASC Handbook of Accreditation Revised
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

16. ASCCC Spring Plenary, April 21- 23, 2016 Sacramento, CA
Useful Resources
NILOA
Outcomes listserve
Accreditation listserve
ASCCC/RP Research Project
ASCCC Papers and Rostrum Articles
Not sure of the thought behind this slide.
ASCCC Spring Plenary, April , 2016 Sacramento, CA

17. CTE Leadership Institute May 8 - 9, 2015 LaJolla, CA“
QUESTIONS?
CTE Leadership Institute May 8 - 9, 2015 LaJolla, CA