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Outcomes Assessment

Outcomes Assessment. UNL Dean’s Retreat October 3, 2000 Jessica L. Jonson, Ph.D. University-Wide Assessment Coordinator and Thomas C. Calhoun, Ph.D. Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. NCA Statements Handbook of Accreditation, NCA-CIHE, 1997.

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Outcomes Assessment

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  1. Outcomes Assessment UNL Dean’s Retreat October 3, 2000 Jessica L. Jonson, Ph.D. University-Wide Assessment Coordinator and Thomas C. Calhoun, Ph.D. Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

  2. NCA Statements Handbook of Accreditation, NCA-CIHE, 1997 • “…the Commission reaffirmed its expectation that all affiliated institutions have ongoing programs for assessing academic achievement both to assurethat students are learning what faculty intend to teach and to identify ways to improve the instruction.” • “…the Commission is committed to the tenet that assessment of student academic achievement is the key to improving student learning …(it) is critical to the future health of its institutions, to the educational accomplishments of students now and in the future, and to the enhanced perception of the public of the value of higher education.”

  3. Making Outcomes Assessment Work for UNL • Clarifying Purpose • Outlining Benefits • Identifying Resources

  4. Principles of Good Practice for Assessing Student Learning American Association for Higher Education (AAHE), 1992

  5. Principle 1: Assessing What Matters Most Assessment IS NOT … an exercise in valuing what can be measured. Assessment IS … process of measuring what is valued.

  6. Principle 2: Complete and Accurate Picture of Learning Assessment IS NOT … simply measuring “core content”. Assessment IS … measuring “integrative reasoning” and “attitudes & dispositions”.

  7. Principle 3: Starts with Existing Goals and Activities Assessment IS NOT… an “add-on” process unrelated to our existing goals and activities. Assessment IS … a goal-oriented process based on evidence existing within the current curriculum.

  8. Principle 4: Linking Outcomes and Processes Assessment IS NOT… only about where students “end up” Assessment IS… about linking outcomes to the experiences that lead them there.

  9. Principle 5: Assessment Evolves Assessment IS NOT… episodic. Assessment IS … ongoing.

  10. Principle 6: Collaborative Endeavor Assessment IS NOT… an activity conducted by individuals to focus on individuals (i.e. courses, faculty, or students). Assessment IS … a collaborative activity between all participants who have a stake in an academic program.

  11. Principle 7: Making Evidence Meaningful Assessment IS NOT… gathering data and returning “results”. Assessment IS… illuminating questions of interest using existing evidence.

  12. Principle 8: Used in Decision Making Assessment IS NOT… only focusing on what. Assessment IS… focusing on the what-you-do-with-it.

  13. Principle 9: Public Accountability Assessment IS NOT… just reporting outcomes information to the public. Assessment IS... deeper obligation - to ourselves, students, and society - to improve.

  14. Benefits for Engaging in Outcomes Assessment

  15. Benefit 1: Faculty become primary decision-makers • Setting goals • Identifying processes to assess goals • Determining whether goals have been reached • Recommending future directions

  16. Benefit 2: Better understanding of learning throughout curriculum • Eliminate curriculum redundancies • Add overlooked topics • Better utilize existing resources • Justify additional resources

  17. Benefit 3: Richer Data • Engage in more productive conversations • Make better decisions • Faculty greater satisfaction in their work • Effectively document strengths • Identify directions for future development.

  18. Benefit 4: Reliable Evidence • Rely less on FTE and student evaluations • Make reliable decisions about innovations or experimental projects • Evidence used to easily and effectively share successes

  19. Resources For Outcomes Assessment

  20. Personnel Resources • University-Wide Assessment Coordinator & Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)individual consultations and workshopsresources: literature, examples, and tools

  21. Financial Resources • Teaching Council Grants

  22. Informational Resources • SVCAA Website

  23. Communication Resources • University-Wide Assessment Steering Committee

  24. Summary of Benefits • Empowers Faculty • Enhances Understanding Learning Throughout Curriculum • Provides Richer Data about Effects Educational Programs • Creates More Reliable Evidence

  25. Conclusion • Evaluates student learning across a program’s curriculum • Focuses on the improvements of student learning • Emphasizes using information about the difference a program makes in their students lives

  26. Questions to Think About Given that we should consider outcomes assessment a legitimate endeavor in which to engage, how is your college emphasizing the importance of outcomes assessment to its faculty? For example, • Are departments/programs recognized for engaging in effective assessment processes? • Does your college use assessment evidence in its own decision making? • Are faculty being provided opportunities to develop the skills they need to implement an effective assessment plan? • Does the college’s budget contain a line item for assessment?

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