“Assessment is a process that focuses on student learning, a process that involves reviewing and reflecting on practice as academics have always done, but in a more planned and careful way.” (Assessment Essentials, Palomba and Banta, p.l)
The Student Learning Assessment Action Plan for 2009-2010 has been approved.
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The term assessment, in its most simple context, means “measurement”. Assessment practices may include measurement of performance goals in a variety of formats and contexts.
In academic programs, assessment is focused on the evaluation of program effectiveness through measurement of student learning. A faculty-centered process, assessment focuses on the following steps:
Defining what students should learn in an academic program;
Specifying where in the curriculum those goals are learned;
Measuring whether students have indeed accomplished those goals;
Analyzing and using results to improve the program, thus enhancing future student learning.
Best practices in assessment can lead to continuous improvement in academic programs.
Resources:
Assessment: Terminology and Explanations
Defining Student Learning Goals
Student Learning Outcomes: Sample Report #1
Student Learning Outcomes: Sample Report #2
Sample Assessment Plans at Other Campuses
