Guide for Reviewing Educational Programs Assessment

Mission Statement

• Mission statement is specific to the program and at the appropriate level.
• Mission statement defines the core purpose of the specific program.

Outcomes

• Required number of outcomes (minimum of five student learning outcomes and two administrative outcomes) is presented.
• Outcomes focus on issues important to the mission and level of the program.
• Outcomes concentrate on key areas where outcomes assessment will enable the program to improve.
• Achievement of outcomes must be measurable.
• Outcomes must be assessed by more than one method of assessment.
• Outcomes are stated in clear and precise language.
• Outcomes describe the knowledge, abilities, values, and/or attitudes that a student graduating from the program is expected to demonstrate.
• Outcomes reflect learning through the program curriculum.

Methods

• Two methods/measures are provided for each outcome.
• Methods/measures address all of the following:
  • Who will be assessed,
  • How the assessment will be conducted,
  • When and where the assessment will take place, and
  • What specific knowledge, skills, values, and/or attitudes will be assessed.
• Methods/measures indicate clearly defined and appropriate performance targets.
• Methods/measures can be implemented within the academic year.
• Methods/measures address areas where the program has control or can make a difference.
• Methods/measures predominately focus on direct (rather than indirect) means of acquiring data.

Results

• Results include reflection upon and discussion of the findings amassed from the corresponding method/measure.
• Results are based on reliable and valid data collection methods.
• Results indicate level of achievement of performance targets.
• Results provide indicators for improvement.
• Results are more than the reporting of grades (which may reflect a part but not the whole of a particular outcome).
• Results focus on student accomplishments and success.

Action Plan

• Action plans are based on findings reported in the results.
• Action plans are feasible considering available resources and time.
• Action plans appear likely to lead to continuous improvement.
• Action plans focus on means to improve student learning.

Evidence of Improvement

• Evidence of improvement is founded in the results.
• Evidence of improvement focuses on student learning.
• Does the evidence summarize if and how action plans from the prior year led to further improvements for the current year?

Downloadable Template