Academic Program Assessment Process

1. Academic Program Assessment Process

2. What is Academic Program Assessment • Academic program assessment is the systematic and ongoing method of gathering, analyzing, and using information from measured outcomes to improve student learning. • The primary purpose of academic assessment is to improve the quality of educational programs by improving student learning.

3. Levels of Assessment • Classroom assessment • Course assessment • Academic program assessment • Institutional assessment

4. Myths about program assessment • Something we have to do just for SACS • You have to be an research expert to do assessment • You can’t measure what students learn in certain types of programs • Assessment is someone else’s job • It will be used to judge faculty • The purpose is to prove your program is 100% successful • Assessment is a top down approach

5. CVCC Assessment Cycle

6. Program Goal • General statements about what the program intends to accomplish • Describe the knowledge and skills of graduates, especially related to employment and transfer • Approaches to develop program goals • Ideal graduate • Review existing materials • Course goals inventories • Review other institution program goals

7. Student Learning Outcomes • Specific statements that describe the required learning in order to attain the degree and meet the program goals. • Student Learning Outcomes differ in scope compared to Program Goals • VCCS General Education – Quantitative Reasoning • Students will be able to apply mathematical tools to the solution of complex problems.

8. Curriculum Map • The purpose of a curriculum map is to identify where in the curriculum the student learning outcomes are addressed • Classes at top and courses on the side • Provides information about the extent to which the curriculum really supports the student learning objectives • Can provide discussion about sequencing of courses, curriculum revisions, program planning, etc.

9. Curriculum Map

10. Target Goals • Specific • Measurable • Attainable • Results-oriented • Time Specific • Students graduating in Spring 2013 with an Associate of Arts and Science Degree in General Studies will score above the national norm of 112 on Math Scaled Score of the ETS Academic Profile.

11. Assessments • Make sure it is useful and leads to improvements • Align the assessment method with the target goals • Consider where and when the assessment will occur (how to keep track of the students) • Are there existing assessments • Multiple measures • Tests • Work samples • Interviews • Demonstrations • Rubrics

12. Analysis of Results • Compare actual student performance with intended student learning for each outcome • Keep it simple • Identify areas of strengths and weaknesses for the program • Discussion among faculty on how to improve program and student learning

13. Actions Based on Results • Actions to improve student learning outcomes tied to strengths/weakness • Reinforce, discontinue, add • Brainstorm • Collaborate (Include all facult) • Document • Lesson plans • Book changes • New classroom assignments and activities • Curriculum changes

14. Closing the Loop/Follow-up • Follow-up on actions taken the previous year • Narrative about how the action items were implemented • Documentation that they took place • Explain changes to data as a result of actions steps taken

15. Assessment Cycle Time FrameExample for AY 2012-13