Assessment of Student Learning

According to Middle States Commission on Higher Education an accredited institution is expected to possess or demonstrate the following attributes or activities.

Clearly articulated statements of expected student learning outcomes at all levels (institution, degree/program, course) and for all programs that aim to foster student learning and development;
A documented, organized, and sustained assessment process to evaluate and improve student learning;
Assessment results that provide sufficient, convincing evidence that students are achieving key institutional and program learning outcomes;
Evidence that student learning assessment information is shared and discussed with appropriate constituents and is used to improve teaching and learning; and
Documented use of student learning assessment information as part of institutional assessment.

Purpose for the ASL Committee:

Sustain a culture of assessment that centers on the improvement of student learning.
Create an assessment community that promotes assessment, provides learning opportunities, and celebrates and rewards assessment efforts.

Working Definition of Assessment
Assessment is the ongoing process of:

Establishing clear, measurable objectives (expected outcomes) of student learning.
Ensuring that students have sufficient opportunities to achieve outcomes.
Systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well student learning matches our expectations.
Using the resulting information to understand and to improve student learning.

(Linda Suskie, Assessing Student Learning, 2004)

Definition of Educated Person
An educated person is one who acquires and continues to expand upon the following:

A broad range of knowledge upon which to make value judgments.
The skills to locate valid information and comprehend that information.
The ability to analyze critically and synthesize efficiently valid information.
The ability to listen carefully and to communicate effectively.

(Developed by ASL Taskforce, July 2005)

Articles and Links

AAHE 9 Principles (PDF) 09/14/05
Assessing Student Learning and Institutional Effectiveness
Middle States’ Suggestions and Recommendations for Assessment of Student Learning and General Education (PDF) 09/14/05
Mega List of Assessment Resources
Recommended Reading List
ASL Glossary

General Education
TGI Results (PDF) 09/14/05
Developing Research and Communication Skills
General Education Goals with Student Behaviors (PDF) 10/26/07
2008 Information Literacy Report (PDF) 08/25/08
          Information Literacy Rubric (PDF) 08/25/08
2008 Communication Report (PDF) 08/25/08
          Communication Rubric (PDF) 08/25/08
2010 Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning Report (PDF) 7/21/10
          Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning Rubric (PDF) 7/21/10

2011-12 Critical Thinking Report (PDF) 11/07/12

Program Assessment
A Guide to Program Assessment (PDF) 07/14/08
Writing Objectives – Worksheet (PDF) 07/09/08
Appendix E – Program Assessment Plan (DOCX) 07/26/10
A Checklist for Program Assessment Plans (PDF) 9/1/10
Appendix I – Program Assessment Results (DOCX) 07/26/10
A Checklist for Program Assessment Results (PDF) 3/1/11

Classroom Assessment
CAT Summary Sheet (MS Word) 08/01/12
Example (PDF)
Criteria for Classroom Assessment (PDF)
Using Classroom Assessment Information in Your Teaching Portfolio (PDF) 08/04/08

CCAC’s Workshops and Presentations on Assessment
Assessment of Student Learning Committee – presented by Dr. Diane Maldonado (PDF) 09/14/05
Practical Assessment – presented by Dr. Diane Maldonado (PDF) 11/01/05
List of Assessment of Student Learning Contributors – presented at All-College Spring Conference on January 5, 2006 (PDF)
Program Assessment Workshop – presented by Dr. Diane Maldonado (PDF) 02/08/06
Assessment Overview– presented by Dr. Mary Frances Archey (PPT) 02/08/06
No-frills Assessment Plans – presented by Mary Kate Quinlan (PPT) 02/08/06
Incorporating Program Assessment into Annual Program Review – presented by Mary Kate Quinlan and Maura Stevenson (PPT) 06/30/06
Analyzing Test Results – presented by Mary Kate Quinlan (PPT) 06/30/08
General Education Assessment Results – Presented by Mary Kate Quinlan (PDF) 08/11/08
Information Literacy Rubric (PDF)
Communication Rubric (PDF)
It’s Raining CATs and DOGs – Presented by members of the Assessment Advisory Group (PPTX) 06/29/10
Fostering Motivation - Presented by members of the Assessment Advisory Group (PDF) 6/28/11