1. Assessment Strategies for Student Affairs
December 9, 2010
Laura A. Bayless, PhD
Dean of Students
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Gavin

2. Session Outcomes Participants will be able to:
Use assessment evidence for program improvement and documenting institutional effectiveness
Identify and involve stakeholders
Articulate and align goals and outcomes
Describe a comprehensive assessment plan
Identify multiple methods for assessment
Explain how to assess an assessment plan
Gavin

3. Introduction
Discuss elements that Middle States accreditors will be looking for
Elements are best practices – not just accreditation expectations
Need to document AND use evidence of student learning and institutional effectiveness
Dual purpose of accreditation: accountability and improvement
Gavin

4. Elements Assessment for accountability and improvement
Stakeholders involved
Goal and outcome articulation and alignment
Assessment is comprehensive, systematic, ongoing, cyclical
Appropriate assessment methods used
Assessment of assessment processes
Gavin
Reviewed the accreditation handbooks from the six regional accrediting bodies to identify common themes

5. Student Learning Definitions
Student learning is what students should be able to do, know, or value
Student learning assessment is “the systematic collection of information about student learning, using the time, knowledge, expertise, and resources available, in order to inform decisions about how to improve learning.(Walvoord, Assessment Clear and Simple, p. 2)
Linda

6. Institutional Effectiveness Definition
Institutional effectiveness answers the question “Is the institution fulfilling its mission and achieving its goals?”
(Middle States’ Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education, p. 26)
Linda

7. Relationship
Since student learning is the heart of most college missions, the assessment of student learning is an essential component of the assessment of institutional effectiveness.
(Middle States’ Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education, p. 27)
Linda

8. Mission, Goals, Outcomes Oh My
What is the connection between mission, goals and outcomes?
Linda

9. Accountability and Improvement
Document effectiveness
Describe how results were used to make improvements
Linda
assessment = effectiveness + improvement

10. Stakeholders Involved
On the bus AND in the right seats
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Along for the whole ride
Share results with appropriate stakeholders
Gavin

11. Stakeholder Identification
You coordinate a leadership program that meets once a week for a semester.
In small groups, brainstorm a list of stakeholders that you would involve in the assessment of this program.
Gavin

12. Goal and Outcome Articulated and Aligned
Goals and outcomes are clearly articulated
All levels in the institution
Goals and outcomes aligned with institutional mission and goals
Goals and outcomes are aligned with student learning/development programs
Linda

13. Goal Identification
In small groups, identify 3-4 goals for the leadership program
Linda

14. Assessment is Comprehensive
“Assessment isn’t an activity. It’s a state of mind.”
Integrated: connected to other program elements
Ongoing: not a one-time activity
Systematic: intentional and purposeful
Cyclical: results lead to more assessment
Gavin

15. Appropriate Measures Measures for outcomes are clearly defined
Existing data
Direct and indirect methods
Quantitative and qualitative methods
Multiple methods
All types of assessment
Needs, satisfaction, outcome, dept. reviews, etc.
Gavin

16. Assessment Methods Identification
Thinking about assessing the leadership program, in small groups brainstorm the following
1-2 types of existing data that could be used
3-4 other assessment methods that could be used
Gavin

17. Assessment Results are Used
Document achievement of mission, goals, and outcomes
Enhance teaching/learning
Inform decision-making, resource allocation, priority setting, and improve students’ educational experience
Close the loop!
Linda

18. Use of Results
In your small groups, describe how you might use the results of the assessment of your leadership program.
Linda

19. Assess the Assessment Were your outcomes clearly articulated?
Was the assessment process meant to demonstrate both accountability and improvement?
Were effectiveness and learning assessed?
Was there evidence needed that couldn’t be gathered from the methods used?
Was the evidence that was gathered useful?
Were all stakeholders involved appropriately?
What changes would we make to the assessment process next time?
Gavin

20. Wrap-Up
Comments, Questions, Observations?
Linda

21. Thanks!
Linda