Assessment, Accreditation and Strategic Planning

Four Step Assessment Model

  1. Learning Outcomes: Articulate the most important knowledge skills and attitudes that all students in the program should demonstrate. These learning outcomes represent those expectations deemed most important by each department and will be measured annually. Learning outcomes are from students’ point of view; for example, “students will demonstrate…”

  2. Direct and Indirect Measurement:
    1. Direct Measurement: Forms of direct measurement provide clear evidence of student learning. Measures directly stem from the learning outcomes identified for each major and include, for example, content of knowledge tests and demonstrations of student skills acquired
    2. Indirect Measurement: Information that implies that students have achieved learning outcomes but that cannot stand on their own as proof of student learning
  3. Results:
    1. Carry out measurement
    2. compile results, and
    3. analyze findings in relation to learning outcomes
  4. Impact: Determining needed changes/improvements and implementation thereof

Assessment Plan: Written description including all four steps listed above (Update as appropriate)

Annual Assessment Reports: Description of annual activities on all steps (primarily b-d)

 *Note:  The Four Step Assessment Model is used for all student learning assessment (i.e., General Education and program assessments)