An Assessment Plan for the University is being implemented following ten steps recommended jointly by the National Center of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment at Pennsylvania State University and ACT.
The first two elements of the plan–rationale statement and purpose statement–were adopted in 1999 after a period of public comment. From September to December 1999, an ad hoc committee on assessment further developed steps 2-4 of the proposed plan. After a period of campus comment, the Deans’ Council adopted an assessment outline, matrix and inventory.
During Fall semester 2000, each academic unit developed a departmental assessment plan. Selected indicators and/or measures of goal attainment were included, as were standards and levels of performance for each indicator and/or measure. The unit plans may be accessed through the link below.
Throughout the 2000-2001 academic year, the departments will engage the plans, interpret outcomes and file a report on assessment results. Revised plans will then be developed for the 2001-2002 academic year.
At the same time, other faculty are studying the general education curriculum for clarity of purpose, content, standards of performance, indicators and/or measures of goal attainment, and results. This project is expected to be completed during 2001.
Departments as well as the institutional research office are systematically assessing learning of entering and completing students. Multiple activities, including surveys, capstone experiences, and course-embedded devices are assessing student learning and the general outcomes of the collegiate experience.
Within Unit Assessment Plans:
Step 5: Departmental indicators and/or measures of goal attainment
Step 6: Standards and levels of performance for each indicator and/or measure
Step 7: Assess learning of entering and completing students
Within Unit Assessment Reports:
Step 8: Interpret and report assessment results to audiences
Step 9: Revise criteria, measures and methods
Step 10: Identify strategies for change in curriculum, faculty development,
out-of-class learning experiences