The Future of Outcome Assessment in Higher Education

1. The Future of Outcome Assessment in Higher Education Jeannie Couper, MSN, RN-BC Seton Hall University May 9, 2012

2. Expected Learning Outcomes

3. Learning Outcomes Assessment

4. Summative Assessment of Students’ Knowledge & Skills • Goals of Postsecondary Students Assessment • Evaluate learning • Compare institutions’ effectiveness • Ensure institutional accountability and transparency • Provide direction for institutional improvement • Predict student success in workforce • Current Systematic Assessment Strategies: • NILOA – National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment • NSSE- National Survey of Student Engagement • VSA- Voluntary System of Accountability • Insufficient evidence to predict success

5. Current Issues in Assessment Methods • No established standard learning outcomes among schools • Is it possible to actually develop a culture of evidence • Not a fair comparisons of institutional effectiveness • Questionable authenticity of testing results • Need more authentic ways to evaluate the student • No single strategy embraced

6. Performance Evaluation Recommendations • Focus on indicators linked to student success in context of mission • Evaluate quality of data • Use appropriate clearly defined performance indicators; • Suggestions: • Establish base for indicators • Enhance student engagement via effective educational practices • Focus on learning and conditions to support learning • Use findings to guide policy and improvement

7. References Banta, T.W., Griffin, M., Flateby, T.L., & Kahn, S. (2009). Three Promising Alternatives for Assessing College Students’ Knowledge and Skills . Retrieved from http://learningoutcomesassessment.org/documents/AlternativesforAssessment.pdf Hutchings, P. (2011). What new faculty need to know about assessment. Retrieved from learningoutcomesassessment.org/assessmentbrief.htm Kuh, G. D. (2008). Why integration and engagement are essential to effective educational practice in the twenty-first century. Peer Review, 10(4), 27-28. Miller, R. & Leskes, A. (2005). Levels of assessment: From the student to the institution. Association of American Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from www.cmich.edu/academics/educ_humanservices/Documents/AACU_LevelsOfAssessment.pdf Liu, O.L. (2011). Outcomes assessment in higher education: Challenges and future research in the context of Voluntary System of Accountability. Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, 30(3), 2-9. Miller, R. & Leskes, A. (2005). Levels of assessment: From the student to the institution. Association of American Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from www.cmich.edu/academics/educ_humanservices/Documents/AACU_LevelsOfAssessment.pdf National Survey of Student Engagement. (2009). Using NSSE Data to Improve Undergraduate Education. Lessons from the Field. Volume 1. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research. Retrieved from http://nsse.iub.edu/pdf/Lessons_from_the_Field_2009.pdf Nelson Laird, T.F., Shoup, R., Kuh, GD., & Schwarz, M. J. (2008). The effects of discipline on deep approaches to student learning and college outcomes. Research in Higher Education 49(6), 469–494. Principles of undergraduate learning (2007). Indiana University Purdue. Retrieved from http://vimeo.com/34102083http://academicaffairs.iupui.edu/plans/pul/ Struck, P. (2011). Listening on presidential and board leadership in student learning. Retrieved from http://www.teaglefoundation.org The VSA and Student Learning Outcomes: Evaluation and Next Steps . Retrieved at http://vimeo.com/34102083http://www.voluntarysystem.org/index.cfm?page=about_cp