Assessment Across Two Cultures

1. Assessment Across Two Cultures Dr. Jose-Marie Griffiths, Bryant University Dr. Donna M. Qualters, Suffolk University Dr. James L. Salsbury, Bentley University Dr. Jean A. Wyld, Springfield College

2. Goals of the Session: • Create an awareness of the of the challenges and opportunities involved in assessment between liberal arts disciplines and professional disciplines • Discuss ways to leverage the strengths of each college in the assessment and self study process • Share some concrete strategies used to create this conversation and bridge • Invite the audience to share their experiences

3. The Issues • Having various data sources for the self assessment that are collected in the individual accreditation model of the profession • Having different approaches to assessment in the liberal arts and the professions • Bridging the Cultures

4. Challenges Opportunities • Language of Assessment • (C) Need to create equivalency and translation • (O) Clearer sense of the commonalities • View of Assessment • (C) Attitude and ownership • (O) Begin a culture of assessment • Dialogue and bridging • (C) Getting the faculties to talk together • (O) Create venues to allow a comprehensive vision • Faculty views of each other • (C) Seeing everyone as educators whether theoretical or applied • (O) Create a culture of assessment of LEARNING

5. Suggestion for faculty views & Language • Created the CEAC = Core Education Assessment Committee • Interdisciplinary group • Representatives from the liberal arts, the sciences, the professions, and freshmen programs • Started with definitions!!! • Longitudinal Writing Project across disciplines • Common set of criteria and rubric established • Buy in from LA and PA • Volunteer trained reviewers • Created an assessment over 4 years of our writing outcome