Academic Program Assessment
Assessment of student learning outcomes is an integral part of the Teaching-Learning process. The purpose is to enhance a student's opportunity to acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes/values provided through all aspects of instruction. The assessment of student learning at the program level relies on faculty expertise and experience. Information derived from the assessment of student learning will be used to facilitate student learning and development, to promote faculty and staff growth, to improve the quality of academic programs, and to achieve the university's mission in accordance with the strategic plan.
Forms and Examples
- New Academic assessment plan template
- New Academic assessment plan example
- Curriculum mapping template
- Academic assessment results report template
- Academic assessment results report example
- Use of results for improvement report template
- Implementation of improvements status report template
- Implementation of improvements status report example
Steps of Academic Program Assessment
- Specify Program Mission and Goals – Broad descriptions of the purpose of the academic program how students will be different as a result of successfully completing it.
- Define Student Learning Outcomes – Specific statements of what the student will be able to do upon successfully completing the academic program.
- Identify Learning Opportunities (Curricular Map) – How well does the curriculum address the learning outcomes?
- Determine Methods – What methods will be used to collect data on the strengths and weaknesses of the academic program and to determine whether students are achieving the learning intended?
- Set Criteria for Success – Establish the level of expected student performance.
- Collect Data and Report on the Results – Examine the information collected and evaluate results against program expectations.
- Use the Results – How is the information going to be used to make program improvements?
Questions to Ask During the Assessment Cycle
- Do current assessment efforts measure what is intended?
- Are results being used effectively? If not, maybe it is time to retire some of the assessment tools.
- Are there better ways to collect useful, needed data?
- What options are available to assess things differently?
