1. Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies
Developing and Implementing a Systematic and Sustainable Assessment Process
Dr. Kathryn Doherty
Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies

2. Today’s Outcomes Define and apply best practice in assessment planning
Review Goucher College expectations for assessment
Explore the Assessment Process
Discuss Assessment that you are already doing
Review Program Outcomes
Define assessment methods
Develop an assessment timeline
Q & A

3. What is Assessment? What is Sustainable Assessment?
What Do You Know?
What Are You Already Doing?
What is your definition?
Where did it come from?
How is it relevant to your work?
How does it compare to others?

4. How Do We Define Assessment?
What?
Who?
Why?
How?
What Are We Doing, What Will We Find Out and Where Can We Improve?

5. Is there an Official Definition of Assessment?
Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development.
Assessment Essentials: planning, implementing, and improving assessment in higher education by Palomba and Banta 1999

6. What is Program Assessment Officially?
A process used to provide a program with feedback on its performance with the intent of helping to improve the program and, in particular, to improve student learning.

7. What Is Program Assessment in Your Program?
Everything you already do.

8. What is the Program Assessment Process at Goucher?
Develop outcomes in keeping with college and division cascades
Provide opportunities to achieve those outcomes
Assess accomplishment of those outcomes
Use results for improvement and resources
Report on findings and design action steps
Revise goals and outcomes

9. Step 1: Where Do We Begin? Division-Level Program-Level
Division Cascade
Associated Outcomes
Assessment methods
Information for Improvement
Program Outcomes and Course Outcomes
Assessment methods
Information for improvement
Appendix 5: Program Survey

10. Step 2: Understanding Your Assessment Process
Link to the Division Cascade
Identift anticipated Outcomes
Align with what you already do
Build on course Outcomes
Specify actions to accomplish Outcomes
Utilize appropriate Assessment Methods/Tools
Determine where to Assess
Determine when to Assess
Determine Responsible Party
Set a Deadline for Submission and Implementation
Figure 2: Program and Course Goals

11. Step 3: Developing Your Assessment Plan
What are your Program Outcomes?
How are you currently Assessing your Outcomes?
What have you found out? How do you Know?
Which Improvements do you need to make?
How can we make this process Systematic and Sustainable moving forward? (Your Plan)
Appendix 6: Learning Goals and Assessment Techniques

12. Step 4: Selecting Your Method
Direct Methods of Assessment
Indirect Methods of Assessment
Figure 5: Examples of Measures

13. Step 5: Using Assessment Methods
Direct Methods of Assessment
Indirect Methods of Assessment
Rubrics
Exams with Test Blueprints
Performance
Clinical Work
Classroom Assessment Techniques
Portfolios
Capstone Courses
Surveys
Self-Evaluations
Grades
Course Evaluations
Student Interviews
Student Reflection or Journal

14. Step 6: Preparing Your Assessment Report
Start with Learning Outcomes
Describe Assessment Outcomes
Identify Actions completed to meet outcomes
Summarize Assessment Results
Identify Improvements needed
Outline Resources required
List Steps to accomplish improvements
Establish Assessment for next Cycle
Draft Unit Assessment Report Template

15. How Do You Get Started? Review Program Outcomes
Discuss and agree upon your Program Outcomes
Identify Opportunities and Actions to Assess
Discuss how you currently Measure these Outcomes
Discuss if there is a Systematic and Sustainable Process
Determine Measures, and Timeline
Identify Assessment Coordinator for your Program
Develop and approve Assessment Plan with Timeline and Responsibility
Implement the Plan

16. Who Will Help: The Institutional Assessment Team (IAT)
Representatives for all units
Academic and Administrative
Reviews plans and reports
Provides feedback on plans and reports
Summarizes results into annual report
Serves as resource to faculty and staff engaged in assessment

17. Questions?