STUDENT SERVICES OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT

1. STUDENT SERVICES OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT Student Services Workshop August 21, 2012

2. A Definition of Assessment • Assessment -- A systematic process of • setting goals or asking questions, • gathering information, • interpreting it, and • using it to improve the effects of college on student learning and development.

3. Assessment is • intimately linked to our institution’s mission and goals • tailored to fit our college • developed and understood by faculty, staff, students, and administrators

4. Assessment must have • a feedback loop • some formal mechanisms for implementing change

5. Some Hints • Most programs already do assessment • Work with what you have • Keep plans simple

6. Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges SLO Assessment Rubric • Proficiency • Student learning outcomes and authentic assessment are in place for courses, programs, and degrees • Results of assessment are being used for improvement and further alignment of institution-wide practices • There is widespread dialogue about the results • Decision-making includes dialogue on the results of assessment and is purposefully directed toward improving student learning • Appropriate resources continue to be allocated and fine-tuned • Comprehensive assessment reports exist and are completed on a regular basis • Course student learning outcomes are aligned with degree student learning outcomes • Students demonstrate awareness of goals and purposes of courses and programs in which they are enrolled

7. Why Student Services Units Assess • Ensures units are examining programs and services • Documents internal improvement efforts • Provides rationale for resource requests • Provides data for review and discussion • Allows staff to prioritize projects and improvements

8. Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) • Student learning outcomes are the specific observable or measurable results that are expected subsequent to a learning experience. • Student Learning Outcomes address the learning from the student's point of view: "Because of my interaction with this program, I will be able to ... "

9. Service Area Outcomes (SAOs) • SAOs are observable and measurable change in operations of a Service Area as a result of assessing the learning outcomes, operations and processes, and needs, or attitudes of students, clients and staff/faculty. They are used for general planning and a starting point for the development and refinement of outcomes.

10. Hints for Developing SAOs • SAOs should: • Be challenging but attainable • Articulate what the unit would like to achieve • Indicate end results for the unit rather than actions • Relate to the unit’s mission and vision • Focus on the benefit to the recipient of the service • Be stable over a number of years (If it is time dependent, it is most likely a goal and not an outcome.) • Be measurable

11. Possible Stems for SAOs • In support of student learning, staff will provide …. • Students will be informed of …. • Staff and/or administrators will enhance ….

12. Focuses of Student Services Unit Assessment • Keep records on the types and frequencies of services offered • Focus on clients’ needs • Focus on client satisfaction • Focus on effects on clients • Use information already collected if possible

13. SAO Assessment Methods • Satisfaction Surveys • Number and types of complaints • Growth in a specific function • Comparisons to professional organizations’ best practices • Focus groups • Time to complete a task • Student data on enrollment, retention, success, goal attainment, etc.

14. Performing the Assessment • Designate a coordinator for the assessment project and/or assign responsibility for individual components • Develop a timeline indicating when results will be collected and tabulated, analyses completed, and dialogue will take place

15. Dialogue on the Assessment • Identify changes needed to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and unit performance • Relate results to unit planning and budgeting • Discuss results in relation to how well the unit is achieving its mission • Follow up on SAOs in next unit plan

16. SLO and SAO examples Modesto Junior College

17. Student Services SAOs Some areas in 2009 program review had SAOs developed. Do they need adjustment?