Creating an Assessment Structure to Sustain Momentum between Accreditation Reviews

1. Creating an Assessment Structure to Sustain Momentum between Accreditation Reviews Dr. Karla J. Sanders Eastern Illinois University

2. Issues to be Addressed • How to track progress from year to year across a variety of programs • How to employ best practices in assessment to create a standardized yet flexible program • How to incorporate general education goals into major/minor programs • How to sustain interest in assessment between site team visits

3. Monitoring Progress • Major Assessment Profile (MAP) • Due in June annually • Annual Summaries • Due in June annually • Program Reviews • First draft due in January; final draft in July • Every 8 years • State-mandated

4. Major Assessment Profile (MAP) • Web links to pertain information on department’s quality, plans for future, etc. • Qualitative/quantitative information • Assessment Results that document achievement of student learning goals • Significant achievements that document quality/improvement • Significant achievements that support University and VPAA goals http://www.eiu.edu/~acaffair/MAP/

5. Student Learning Assessment Program • Annual summary of assessment activities • Part I: • Learning objectives • Assessment measures • How, when, and by whom • Expectations • Results • Feedback loop • Responsibility • How shared http://www.eiu.edu/~assess

6. Student Learning Assessment Program cont. • Part II: • Narrative describing program’s accomplishments in last year. Ways dept. responded to feedback. • Part III: • Narrative summarizing changes and improvements in curriculum, instruction, and learning that resulted from what was learning through assessment. • How has data been used? • What have you learned? • What are your plans for the future?

8. Program Reviews • Overview • Mission and how program fits into University mission • State Issues • Major changes in the discipline • Major findings and recommendations—learning outcomes and program improvement • Changes to the major—including student demographics • Actions taken since last review • Institution Issues • Outcome

9. Reporting Progress • Annual Reports from assessment office to VPAA, deans, and chairs on programs’ progress • Annual Reports from VPAA’s office to state—Performance Report—highlights results and improvements to curriculum; report on program reviews • Written feedback for programs • Annual evaluation of levels based on PTA

10. Feedback—Primary Trait Analysis • Three levels for each area addressed on annual summary: • Learning Objectives • Assessment Measures • Expectations • Results • Feedback Loop http://www.eiu.edu/~assess/NCA%20levels%20checklist%202004.pdf

11. Reports

12. Reports, cont.

13. General Education & Majors—EIU • 4 Goals • Write effectively • Speak effectively • Think critically • Become responsible global citizens • Promote adoption by programs

14. Report

15. Involving Faculty—EIU • Committees • University-wide Committee for the Assessment of Student Learning • College curriculum & assessment committees • Department assessment committees • Forums & conferences • On-campus Forums • Provide Funds for Travel • Provost’s Assessment Award

16. Sustaining Momentum—EIU • Annual Assessment Forum—invited presenter on an assessment topic of interest • Faculty Development workshops • Quarterly newsletter • Up-to-date web site • Involvement of key, interested faculty • Share results • Provide feedback and use the data

17. Presenter’s Contact Information Dr. Karla J. Sanders 217-581-6056 kjsanders@eiu.edu www.eiu.edu/~assess