Assessment PLANS. An effective assessment plan includes several important characteristics:

Transcription

1 Assessment PLANS What is an assessment plan? An assessment plan is a document that outlines the student learning outcomes (for academic programs) or unit outcomes (for support units), the direct and indirect assessment methods used to demonstrate the attainment of each outcome, the timeframe for collecting and reviewing the data, and the individual(s) responsible for the collection/review of data. Why should programs develop assessment plans? Developing an assessment plan facilitates documentation of assessment activities, allows for college-wide communication, and increases the efficiency and effectiveness of implementing the assessments and utilizing the findings. Assessment plans also serve as evidence for accreditation requirements by demonstrating that the college is continuously striving to improve student learning. What characterizes an effective assessment plan? An effective assessment plan includes several important characteristics: The program s SLO should align with the program s goals and mission as well as the goals and mission of the college Multiple methods of assessment should be used including both direct and indirect methods Faculty should be very involved in the process of assessing student learning Assessment results should lead to improvement initiatives Adapted from Ball State University s Assessment Workbook

2 UTILIZE IMPLE MENT PLAN STEPS in Developing & Implementing an Assessment PLAN Step Mission, Goals, & SLO Participants Timeline Inventory Methodology Data Results Improve Description Review & revise program MISSION & GOALS Review & revise program STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Align program SLO with the curriculum utilizing a curriculum map Identify an assessment team/task force in order to determine WHO will participate in the assessment Develop a realistic TIMELINE to identify when assessment activities will occur Review past assessment methods, tools, & findings to assist in developing current assessment plan Determine what assessment METHODS will be used to gather information/data for each SLO Determine SAMPLE population and size to be assessed Establish the CRITERIA that will determine achievement of each SLO COLLECT data External Review Team visit (Required by SUNY's Assessment Initiative) ANALYZE data using criteria Review & report assessment RESULTS Make RECOMMENDATIONS for program improvement Develop PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT PLAN based on results & recommendations Disseminate results to STAKEHOLDERS Implement program improvement initiatives Document improvement efforts and effects Review & revise the assessment plan & process

3 Example - Assessment PLAN Description Example What data will be collected? What methods will be used to collect data? will outcome be demonstrated? What behavior or action will demonstrate outcome? What level of achievement is acceptable to identify success of outcome? will demonstrate outcome? is responsible to collect data? will data be collected?

4 Template - Assessment PLAN

5 Template - Assessment PLAN SLO