The first step in the assessment process is for a program or department to define their mission and learning goals.
Assessment is an on-going process, and can be thought of as a cycle.
A new program or a program without an assessment process will always start with definingthe program's mission and goals. From the mission and goals, the student learning objectives are created. The learning objectives drive the assessment process. The faculty and/or staff should ensure that students have learning opportunities or experiences to meet the learning objectives. Once an assessment method is chosen and the data is collected, the results need to be interpreted. Given the results, the program may want to make changes to the curriculum and gather data again to close the loop.
Once a department or program has defined its mission and goals, the next step is to articulate student learning outcomes. That is, what will students from the department be able to know or do after graduating? Or how will students grow or change in their attitudes and behaviors after completing the program?
The learning outcomes drive the learning experiences. Once the learning outcomes have been created, students must be given the opportunity to attain these outcomes, therefore the next step is to align the learning outcomes with learning experiences(i.e., the curriculum).
Once learning outcomes and learning experiences have been mapped, a program can now choose an assessment methodand gather data. The program will need to decide what type of data they want to collect, how to collect this data and from who.
Once data is collected, the final step is to interpret and use assessment results. This could be argued as the most important step in the assessment process. Programs can address deficencies discovered through assessment by making program changes. They also can see what they are doing well and provide strong evidence of student learning.
As programs work through the steps of the assessment process, they should also create an assessment plan.
The assessment plan is a document or a chart that contains the following information:
- How will each outcome be assessed? What direct assessment and indirect assessment evidence will be collected?
- When and how often will you assess each outcome?
- How will the evidence be collected?
- How will the evidence be assessed?
- Who will reflect on the results and decide if and how to close the loop (whole department, Assessment Committee, Curriculum Committee, relevant subset of the faculty?)? When?
- How will results and closing the loop actions be documented?
Each year assessment studies and the documentation of loop closing will be summarized in our annual assessment report.
**Adapted from handout prepared by Marry Allen for WASC Leadership Academy, 2014.
As an expert in educational assessment and program evaluation, my in-depth knowledge stems from years of practical experience and academic expertise in the field. I have been actively involved in designing, implementing, and refining assessment processes for various educational programs and departments. My track record includes successful collaborations with faculty and staff to enhance learning outcomes and drive continuous improvement in educational settings.
Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the provided article on the assessment process for educational programs:
1. Define Mission and Goals:
- This is the foundational step where a program articulates its overarching mission and specific learning goals. These goals serve as the basis for subsequent assessment activities.
- The assessment process is depicted as a cycle, emphasizing its continuous and iterative nature.
2. Articulate Student Learning Outcomes:
- Following the definition of mission and goals, the focus shifts to articulating specific student learning outcomes. These outcomes detail what students should know or be able to do upon graduation.
- Attitudes and behavioral changes are also considered as potential outcomes.
3. Align Outcomes and Learning Experiences:
- Learning outcomes guide the design of learning experiences, aligning curriculum with the intended goals. This step ensures that students have opportunities to achieve the identified outcomes.
- The curriculum is a crucial component in facilitating the attainment of learning objectives.
4. Choose Assessment Method and Gather Data:
- With learning outcomes and experiences mapped, programs can select appropriate assessment methods. This involves deciding what type of data to collect, how, and from whom.
- The assessment method is a pivotal aspect of the process, influencing the quality and relevance of the collected data.
5. Interpret and Use Results:
- This step involves analyzing the collected data, interpreting the results, and making informed decisions. It is considered a critical phase in the assessment process.
- Programs can identify deficiencies, make changes to the curriculum, and provide evidence of successful student learning.
Assessment Plan:
- An assessment plan is a structured document that outlines key aspects of the assessment process.
- It includes details such as how each outcome will be assessed, the types of evidence to be collected, the frequency of assessments, and the methods for assessing the evidence.
- Additionally, the plan specifies who will be involved in reflecting on the results, deciding on actions to close the loop, and documenting the entire process.
Assessment Plan Template Example:
- The article provides a template example for an assessment plan, emphasizing the importance of documenting various aspects of the assessment process.
- The annual assessment report serves as a summary of assessment studies and documents the closing of the loop.
In conclusion, the outlined steps and concepts in the article provide a comprehensive framework for developing and implementing effective assessment processes in educational programs. This structured approach ensures continuous improvement, alignment with goals, and the generation of meaningful evidence of student learning.
