Learning Outcomes Assessment RESULTS AND ACTION PLAN

Beth Wuest Director, Academic Development and Assessment

Lisa Garza Director, University Planning and Assessment

Workshop Goals

To become more knowledgeable about the assessment of

learning outcomes including appropriate methods of assessment

more aware of the value of outcomes assessment

competent at collecting and reporting the results of student learning outcomes

adept at identifying and implementing appropriate action plans to improve student learning

familiar with the website for the reporting of outcomes and outcomes assessment

Background

In Spring of 2006 All academic programs

submitted 5 to 8 learning outcomes with two methods of assessment for each outcome

Workshops were conducted to provide faculty with a working knowledge to develop outcomes and to select appropriate methods of assessment

Background

In Fall of 2006 A series of workshops were

conducted to provide a working knowledge to select and develop appropriate methods of assessment

Academic programs implemented initiatives for achieving their learning outcomes

“Just as diagnosis without treatment is not very helpful to a sick patient, assessment without analysis and action can do little for an institution.”

-- Braskamp, 1989

Expectations

In Spring of 2007 Academic programs are

expected to report the results of each of their

assessment methods an action plan for each outcome

based on their assessment results Chairs and Deans will approve

learning outcomes assessment results and action plans

Expectations

In Academic Year 2007 – 2008 Programs will

revise and submit student learning outcomes

implement action plans for improving student learning

continue with assessment activities submit assessment results and

action plan

Linkages to Other University Assessment Academic Program Review (APR) Department, College and

University strategic planning Program and University

accreditation Program-specific accreditation University-wide accreditation by

SACS

SACS Influence

Focus of SACS reaffirmation is on outcomes

Changes in process from previous reaffirmation cycles Outcomes Driven Compliance Report and Quality

Enhancement Plan (QEP) Review by off-campus team Follow-up visit by on-campus

review team

SACS Influence

3.3 Institutional Effectiveness

3.3.1 The institution identifies expected outcomes for its educational programs (including student learning outcomes for educational programs) and its administrative and educational support services; assesses whether it achieves these outcomes; and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of those results. (Institutional effectiveness)

Outcomes and Methods

Outcomes What are outcomes? Why are outcomes important?

Methods Why multiple methods? Why the emphasis on direct

methods?

Results Relate to Methods Address Outcomes Provide Indicators for

Improvement Demonstrate student success

Results

ProcessCollecting Data

Quantitative vs. qualitativeSampling

Analyzing Data Maintaining Data

Action Plan

Purpose Lead to continuous improvement Enhance effectiveness of program Provide for efficiency use of

resources Aid in promotional efforts

What ifs… What if our outcomes aren’t as clear

as we would like them to be? What if our methods of assessment

aren’t as clear as we would like them to be?

What if we failed to collect the appropriate data?

What if our methods of assessment don’t really work?

What if our results don’t really tell us anything?

Outcomes Assessment WebsiteThe Outcomes Assessment

Website serves as a university-wide repository for academic, educational-support, and administrative outcomes.

Outcomes Assessment Website Access Organization Use

How to enter outcomes and methods How to enter results and action plan How to view plans and results

www.ada.txstate.edu

Review of Outcomes Assessment Internal

Assessment Committee Chairs Deans

External by SACS Reviewers Off-site review On-site questioning to verify

process and improvement

Re-cap of Process

Identify/ReviseOutcomes

Select/ReviseMethods ofAssessment

Develop/ReviseCurriculum and

Instruction

AssessStudent Learning

Create &ImplementAction Plan

Define/ReviseMission & Goals

questions and comments

For assistance, contact…

Beth Wuest Director, Academic Development and

Assessment150 JCK245-2112

Lisa GarzaDirector, University Planning and Assessment1080 JCK245-2780