Everything you wanted to know about Assessment… Dr. Joanne Coté-Bonanno Barbara Ritola September 2009 but were afraid to ask!

The MSU Assessment Circle Student Learning Goals for Program Curriculum Alignment Assessment Measures Assessment Schedule Disseminate Results Potential Use of Data Assessment - Chairs' Workshop29/25/2009

Assessment Process Defined Development of clearly articulated learning outcomes: the knowledge, skills, and competencies that students are expected to exhibit upon successful completion of a course or academic program. Offering courses, programs, and experiences that provide purposeful opportunities for students to achieve those learning outcomes. Assessment - Chairs' Workshop39/25/2009

Assessment Process Defined - cont. Assessing student achievement of the outcomes Using the results of assessments to improve teaching and learning and inform planning and resource allocation decisions Assessment - Chairs' Workshop49/25/2009

Assessment - Chairs' Workshop5 Effective Assessment Processes are: Useful Cost-effective Reasonably Accurate and Truthful Planned Organized, Systematized, and Sustained 9/25/2009

Student Learning Goals for Programs 3-6 learning goals for each degree program Clear, specific, and measurable Stated in terms of student outcomes and achieved competencies Assessment - Chairs' Workshop69/25/2009

Examples of Learning Goals Students will be able to: Communicate effectively in oral presentations and writing Apply basic quantitative skills to business problems Acquire basic skills in information and business technology Develop critical thinking abilities Develop the ability to explain core economic terms, concepts, and theories Develop critical faculties to describe literary and artistic form and content, to interpret meaning, and to gauge effect. Participate in research, internships, and service learning opportunities for active and student centered learning that contribute to social justice. Work effectively in a team Construct logical arguments in biology  Generate and state testable hypotheses  Develop and elaborate models 9/25/2009Assessment - Chairs' Workshop7

Curriculum Alignment For each learning goal identified in your program, stipulate a course in the required curriculum that provides the experiences necessary to meet the learning outcome. The following Curriculum Alignment Matrix will assist in the course mapping process. Assessment - Chairs' Workshop89/25/2009

Curriculum Alignment Matrix Required Course Name Goal #1Goal #2Goal #3Goal #4Goal #5Goal #6 Assessment - Chairs' Workshop99/25/2009

Assessment Measures Identify direct measure for each learning goal Use systematically and routinely Include instruments such as rubrics or other grading schemes Note the developer and completion dates for original measures Assessment - Chairs' Workshop109/25/2009

Assessment Schedule For each learning measure, describe Data Collection Methods Sampling Methodologies Demonstration Measures Assessment - Chairs' Workshop119/25/2009

Disseminate Results Share and discuss results with faculty and others concerned with the program via: Department meetings School/College Meetings Assessment - Chairs' Workshop129/25/2009

Potential Use of Data – “Closing the Circle” Purpose of assessment is to improve student learning Note potential improvement strategies Implement those strategies via:  Course Alterations  Program Alterations  Development of New Programs Assessment - Chairs' Workshop139/25/2009

The MSU Assessment Template 9/25/2009Assessment - Chairs' Workshop14 Program Learning Goal Required Course Name (From Curriculum Alignment Matrix) Assessment Measure Who Will Develop Measure? Where will Assessment Take Place? Assessment Schedule – When will assessment take place? Disseminate Results Potential Use of Data - “Closing the Circle”

Incorporating Assessment at MSU – Two Key Ways Degree Program Assessment Plans FERC – Five-Year External Review Committees – (formerly Visiting Committees) Assessment - Chairs' Workshop159/25/2009

Timeline for Degree Program Assessment Plans DateSubmission of Learning Assessment Plans for Programs December 18, 2009Draft assessment plans due in Dean’s Office February 12, 2010Draft assessment plans due in Provost’s Office April 10, 2010Feedback/approval from Provost’s Office due to departments May 3, 2010Assessment plan with needed modifications due to Provost’s Office Assessment - Chairs' Workshop169/25/2009

Minimum Expectations for Assessment in Five-Year External Reviews AYDepartmental Self-Study Assessment Requirements Draft Assessment Plan Proposal, including instruments Complete assessment plans and assessment data for at least two (2) learning goals Assessment of all learning goals completed. Modification plan including schedule for proposed activities Assessment of all learning goals completed with the subsequent modification actions and activities From this year forward, departments must assess each learning goal twice in the five-year cycle, and report on modification actions and results from these actions. Assessment - Chairs' Workshop179/25/2009

MSU Must Demonstrate: Clear institutional goals to public, students, faculty, and staff Programs and resources are organized to achieve those goals The campus community knows how assessment works What we are doing and why Who is doing it When it is due How it will be used Assessment - Chairs' Workshop189/25/2009

MSU Must Demonstrate - cont. Leadership is providing guidance, resources and coordination for assessment Programs are making needed improvements Institutional mission and goals are being achieved Assessment - Chairs' Workshop199/25/2009

Available Resources Provost’s Office – Joanne Coté-Bonanno & Barbara Ritola MSCHE Handouts (distributed at end) MSCHE Publications link - MSU Bb Assessment Community (coming soon) Assessment - Chairs' Workshop209/25/2009 You’re not alone!