Presentation on Outcomes Assessment Presentation on Outcomes Assessment to Administrative Services Mohawk Valley Community College February 7, 2006

Overview of Presentation  Purpose of Outcomes Assessment  Benefits of Outcomes Assessment  Components of an Effective Process

Purpose of Outcomes Assessment  To have department members focus on the important goals and outcomes of their program/activity/ service to support the College’s Mission  To determine whether the program/activity/ service goals are being accomplished  To use assessment results to improve services to students/employees  To be accountable to stakeholders [e.g. students, employers, SUNY, accreditation agencies]

Benefits of Outcomes Assessment Outcomes Assessment data help to:  Identify plan of action to improve the program/activity/ service  Identify budget needs for staff, equipment, training, etc.  Enhance programs/activities/services already in progress  Assist in long range planning  Build support for new initiatives

7 Steps in the Outcomes Assessment Process

Step 1: Determine each program/activity/service offered by the department  Focus on the primary functions of the department  1- 5 core activities would be appropriate

Step 2: Determine Goals & Outcomes Goals - general statements of purpose for the services your department provides There will be multiple goals for each program/activity/ service There will be multiple goals for each program/activity/ service

Step 2: Determine Goals & Outcomes con’t Outcomes - the specific results of the program/activity/ service  Are stated outcomes in measurable terms  Detail the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students/ employees/others will display: What do you want them to know? What do you want them to be able to do? What do you want them to care about? In general There will be multiple outcomes for each goal

Step 2: Examples of Goals & Outcomes Registrars Office Activity: Transcript Requests Goal 1: To process transcript requests accurately and in a timely manner Outcomes: 1a Mail-in/Fax requests for transcripts are processed within 24 hours. 1b On-site requests for transcripts are processed within 24 hours. 1c Students requesting transcripts will be satisfied with the type and timeliness of service provided.

Step 2: Examples of Goals & Outcomes Payroll Office Program: Payroll Checks Goal 1: Payroll checks will be processed and distributed in a timely and accurate manner. Outcomes: 1a Information from employee Time Sheets will be accurately inputted into the Banner Payroll Screen. 1b Payroll checks will be distributed to employees as per the published Payroll Schedule. 1c Payroll stubs will be sent, to those employees using the direct deposit option, in a timely manner. 1d Employees will be satisfied with the distribution of the payroll checks.

Step 3: Link Goals to the College’s Mission and/or College-wide Competencies College Mission Statement Mohawk Valley Community College offers choice, opportunity and hope by providing accessible and affordable higher education, training and services that emphasize academic excellence, diversity and a global view. The College is committed to excellence in career and transfer preparation, business, economic and community development, and personal and cultural enrichment.

Step 3: If possible link Goals to one of the College-wide Competencies College-wide Competencies: An MVCC graduate will be able to: 1) effectively communicate with others 2) organize information, evaluate alternatives, distinguish fact from opinion and reach logical conclusions 3) demonstrate the ability to interact effectively within a diverse society 4) demonstrate logical thinking and solve quantitative problems by using various computation and other mathematical techniques.

Step 4: Connect Outcomes with Assessment Methods and State Expected Results Examine assessment methods already in place Examine assessment methods already in place Select/develop assessment methods that are appropriate for the specific outcome Select/develop assessment methods that are appropriate for the specific outcome –Direct / Indirect / External State Expected Results State Expected Results –How do you determine success of your program/activity/ service? –What do you consider an appropriate standard?

Step 5: Collect and Analyze the Data Decide on: Decide on:  A timeline for the data collection  Sampling issues  Needed resources  Persons responsible  Implementation of the process  Interpretation of the results  Comparison of the actual results to expected results

Step 6: Report the Data Report results and analysis on the templates to be shared with the:  Department  Vice President  Office of Institutional Assessment  Other appropriate constituency groups

Step 7: Use Results for Improvement Decisions that can be made based on the assessment data:  No action --achievement reached or exceeded the expected result  Changes to improve the program/activity/ service – consider budgetary implications  Modification of assessment plan (outcomes, assessment methods and/or expected results)

Where Do You Go from Here? During Spring 2006 Define programs/activities/services offered by the department Define programs/activities/services offered by the department Set up work session (See next slide) Set up work session (See next slide) Complete this portion of Program Outcomes Assessment Reports and notify: Complete this portion of Program Outcomes Assessment Reports and notify: Norayne and Mark By June 30

At the work session:  Determine Goals & Related Outcomes  Link Goals to the College’s Mission and/or Competencies  Use this information to complete columns 1- 4 of the Program Outcomes Assessment Report  Pick 1-3 priority goals for each program/activity/ service to focus on for the year  Connect Outcomes with Assessment Methods and state expected results for the priority goals  Use this information to complete column 5 of the template  Get feedback from department members  Revise templates if appropriate

During Fall 2006 Receive comments on Program Outcomes Assessment Reports from Norayne & Mark by September 15, 2006 Receive comments on Program Outcomes Assessment Reports from Norayne & Mark by September 15, 2006 If necessary, review and revise Program Outcomes Assessment Reports based on comments/changes. If necessary, review and revise Program Outcomes Assessment Reports based on comments/changes. Begin implementing outcome assessment measures for priority goals to be completed and entered on the templates by August Begin implementing outcome assessment measures for priority goals to be completed and entered on the templates by August 2007.

During Spring 2007 Repeat process Identify next set of priority goals Identify next set of priority goals Connect Outcomes with Assessment Methods and state expected results for the new set of priority goalsConnect Outcomes with Assessment Methods and state expected results for the new set of priority goals Use this information to complete column 5 of the templateUse this information to complete column 5 of the template Complete column 5 of Program Outcomes Assessment Reports for new priority goals and notify Norayne and Mark by June 30. Complete column 5 of Program Outcomes Assessment Reports for new priority goals and notify Norayne and Mark by June 30.

See it as a changing and evolving process!

The End (but only for now…)