Assessment Protocol
Two Stages of Assessment
Stage 1: Annual Assessment Report [replaces the former
Assessment Template]
An annual review of student learning outcomes will be conducted
by every program, area, or unit, questioning relevancy based on
internally devised and conducted metrics, disciplinary or
interdisciplinary paradigm shifts, and fit with the University SLOs. The
revision, deletion, or addition to a program's SLOs will ensure
that they remain dynamic and relevant. Some or all of the SLOs must
be assessed annually, employing some quantifiable methodologies
selected from the Gloria Rogers model. Two methodologies should be
used to measure each SLO. Programs may elect to measure
quantitatively only one-third of their total SLOs annually, perhaps
focusing on one of the "Know, Do, and Value" categories each year
in turn, renewing the process every fourth year. Alternatively,
units may choose other approaches, but the Assessment Committee
recommends that all SLOs be measured quantitatively within a
three-year cycle. The AC has developed guidelines for annual
reviews, along with documents for reporting the process and results
to the AC (see attached, "Annual Assessment Report"). The report is
due by October 1 each year, summarizing the assessment activities
of the prior academic year.
Stage 2: 5-Year Program Review
Every five years, each department (or comparable /relevant
academic program) will conduct a thorough review of all areas of
its functioning. Focus areas of the 5-year review, which should
include at least one external expert in undergraduate education (or
graduate education for master's programs) and assessment chosen in
consultation with the college dean include:
- Stage 1 annual review of student learning outcomes
- Program deletion/revision/retention
- Faculty/staff productivity analysis
- Future position requests as predicted on a variety of
supportive data
- Library/laboratory resource needs
- Facilities inventory/needs projection
- Review of endemic changes in the discipline /profession, with
consideration of attendant opportunities and challenges
- Curricular review and alteration, as needed
- Analysis of strengths and weaknesses
- Program goals for the next 5 years
The Assessment Committee's document "Academic
Program Review" outlines the purpose, process, criteria and
schedule for program reviews.