Co-Curricular Assessment Dr. Al Letting Grace School of Theology TRACS Conference 2012

Assessment Cycle A Quick Review

11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

What Is Assessment? “Assessment is a continuous cycle of organizational activity that ensures that expected goals are implemented, successful, and improved upon by using verifiable data and concrete action plans.” - A. LETTING Co-Curricular Assessment 11/20/2019

The Assessment Cycle I. Establish Departmental Purpose & Goals Align Departmental Goals with Strategic Plan Align Departmental Goals with applicable professional and accreditation standards 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

The Assessment Cycle II. Data Selection using Measures Satisfaction Surveys, Departmental Reports Evaluations External Reviews and Reports Co-Curricular Assessment 11/20/2019

The Assessment Cycle III. Analyze Data Collect measurement data Analyze the results (findings) Compare data with expected departmental goal 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

The Assessment Cycle IV. Create Action Plans, as necessary Departmental Data-based Decisions Set specific achievement targets Set completion dates Determine other resources needed to complete the plan such as budget, facilities and personnel 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

The Assessment Cycle V. Implement Action Plans for Improvement Department-led implementation of the improvement. Ensure the Plan moves forward toward the expected completion date. Activate approved resources to complete the Plan. 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Assessment Cycle Review I. Establish Departmental Purpose & Goals II. Data Selection Using Measures III. Analyze Data IV. Create Action Plans, as Necessary V. Implement Action Plans for Improvement Co-Curricular Assessment 11/20/2019

Why Assessment? In preparation for the Candidacy or Accreditation Because we are supposed to? Because we want to improve! Remember: It’s all about the students Co-Curricular Assessment 11/20/2019

Who Is Involved In Assessment? Administrators (VPs, Directors, Department Heads) Staff (Registrar, Financial Aid, Recruiters) Faculty, Students Assessment Coordinator or IE support team It is a Team Effort! Co-Curricular Assessment 11/20/2019

Co-Curricular Assessment What is considered “Co-Curricular” ? 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Co-Curricular Assessment Answer: Any department or activity that is ‘non-academic’ but supports the academic programs or student life. These include: Student Services, Admissions, Recruitment, Financial Aid, Student Life, Facilities, Finances Even the Assessment of the Assessment Plan 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Differences Between Co-Curricular and Curricular Assessment Mostly emphasize performance, efficiency, effectiveness, growth, timeliness, student satisfaction. Helps if it is viewed as a business and not a schoolhouse. Since they support the academic purpose, they are not seen as being on the front line. 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Differences Between Co-Curricular and Curricular Assessment Most Co-Curricular Departments do not have any learning outcomes; some may. For example a department where staff are trained or in student affairs where they work directly to teach students on non-academic areas (leadership, values). 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Differences Between Co-Curricular and Curricular Assessment It is more difficult to separate tasks from goals/objectives. It may be a judgment call, depending on why a department is involved in a certain process. 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Differences Between Co-Curricular and Curricular Assessment Unlike Curricular Departments, every Co-Curricular department is different and unique in that they are all using different objectives, measures and targets. However, assessment is assessment and we use the same logic and assessment cycle. 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Common Terms Used When Measuring Co-Curricular Objectives 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Common Terms Used When Measuring Co-Curricular Objectives EFFICIENCY in procedures and processes that accomplish a task or objective with the least amount of resources and effort. Doing more, accomplishing more with the same quality with the same resources: personnel, time, money, equipment than what you did before. 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Common Terms Used When Measuring Co-Curricular Objectives EFFECTIVENESS: Achieving desired results within your current budget and capacity, resulting in a quality product or service. PRODUCTIVITY: Measures increase/decrease of production with the same of efficiency; is quantitative: how much done in X amount of time. PROFICIENT: actively displayed; skillful, competent, talented. Success is measured by each department. 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Common Terms Used When Measuring Co-Curricular Objectives GROWTH: getting larger; change over time; more services offered; expansion of current services or programs offered; more participation in events; more donors, income, revenue. INVOLVEMENT: students attending; participation; eventually can measure how much they are involved when they attend. 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Common Terms Used When Measuring Co-Curricular Objectives QUALITY: Less errors; provide more services, higher standards; correct information provided the first time; is a quantitative measure. SATISFACTION: subjective; can be emotional responses; may be temporary; denotes appreciation; this is a qualitative measure tracked over time. 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Assessment Measures Typically Used in Co-Curricular Departments Efficiency statistics and reports Effectiveness Measures Compliance with Federal, State, and Local Regulations and Statutes Recruiting Cost per Student 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Assessment Measures Typically Used in Co-Curricular Departments Student, Alumni, and Employer Satisfaction Data Collected in Surveys, Exit Interviews, Focus Groups Cost-benefit analyses 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Examples 11/20/2019 Co-Curricular Assessment

Contact Information Dr. Al Letting VP Academic Affairs Grace School of Theology aletting@gsot.org Cell: 434 238-7841 Assessment For Beginners