University Assessment & Testing

Academic Program Outcomes Assessment Review

Academic Program Outcomes Assessment Review Guidelines

The annual program outcomes assessment review is a rigorous process of examining each program's annual outcomes assessment report to determine the quality of the report based on specific criteria required for program evaluation and student learning improvement. The criteria is evaluated on a scale of Missing Information (Red), Needs Revision (Yellow), Meets Expectations (Green), or Exceeds Expectations (Green). Below are the optimal report characteristics:

 

I. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)

SLOs refer to faculty expectations of their graduates. These should be articulated in terms of knowledge and skills/abilities graduates of each degree program are expected to be able to demonstrate.

• There are at least 3-5 measurable SLOs

• ALL SLOs describe, using specific details, knowledge and/or abilities/skills that graduates of the program are expected to be able to demonstrate

• ALL SLOs are relevant to that particular degree program

• ALL SLOs are clearly stated in measurable and/or observable terms

• ALL SLOs are expressed in statements that include a single outcome

II. ASSESSMENT METHODS

How faculty gather evidence to determine how well students meet their expectations. Each SLO should be primarily measured using direct assessments (e.g., exams, Capstone projects, presentations, thesis/dissertation, etc.). Indirect assessments methods (e.g., surveys, etc.) should only be used to supplement direct assessment methods.

• Methods are designed to promote progress/improvement. A variety of different methods were used in order to provide more reliable results

• ALL SLOs are measured using one or more appropriate direct assessment methods

• Data collection process is briefly and clearly described for each SLO

• Quality rubrics and/or surveys used in the assessment process are attached, and methods include information on inter-rater reliability relative to rubrics used to assess the quality of student work

III. ASSESSMENT FINDINGS

The extent to which students met the faculty expectations. Results should be described briefly, in aggregate, indicating how students performed on each learning outcome based on the direct assessment methods used to address the learning outcome.

• Findings for ALL SLOs are aligned with methods and SLOs

• Findings are detailed, descriptive, and clear. Actual findings or results of student performance are adequately described (in aggregate) for each SLO. Trends or patterns over time are discussed to indicate progress of student performance

• Findings for ALL SLOs are based on direct measures and ALL reflect reported and analyzed aggregate findings to indicate areas where students excelled, met standards, and fell short

• Report contains individual Assessment Findings and overall Assessment Findings

IV. USE OF FINDINGS

The adjustments planned or implemented to address issues identified in student performance. Changes made or planned should be directly related to student performance.

• Report contains individual assessment Use of Findings and overall Use of Findings. Report shows details of implemented and planned changes, addressing gaps in student learning and aligned with SLOs, and are described and linked to assessment data (if no changes are reported, an explanation is provided)

• Specific and logical actions are taken based on findings of each SLO and reported efficacy of the actions. Overall the Use of Findings are descriptive and target specific improvements

• Use of Findings have been disseminated to ALL appropriate stakeholders (e.g., faculty, students),and responsibilities for actions are assigned (e.g., to Curriculum and/or Assessment Committees)

Program Outcomes Assessment Plan and Report Information

For additional information about academic program outcomes assessment plans and reports visit: Academic Program Outcomes Assessment