1. Learning Outcomes Assessment Update
Dr. Robert Awkward, Director of Learning Outcomes Assessment
Task Force on Statewide Assessment
Worcester State University
March 10, 2017

2. Mass. Learning Outcomes: Annual Assessment Conference
Sixth Annual AMCOA Assessment Conference on April 21, 2017 from 8:00am – 4:00pm
Doubletree by Hilton – Boston/Westborough
Advancing the Work of Assessment: Best Practices, Tools & Resources
Selected national guest presenters:
Dr. Susan Albertine, Senior Scholar, AAC&U – Keynote speaker
Dr. Natasha Jankowski, Director, NILOA and Research Assistant Professor, Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

3. Mass. Learning Outcomes Annual Assessment Conference
Plenary sessions:
NILOA’s Excellence in Assessment
Certification
Learning Assessment Research Consortium’s online, modular assessment training
Workshop sessions:
Informing pedagogy through use of assessment data
Signature assignment design and assessment
Using assessment data to improve the teaching and learning of critical thinking
Growing an assessment institute from the grassroots
Assessment can strengthen writing across the curriculum
Building quantitative literacy across the curriculum

4. Mass. Transfer Pathways Update
Completed:
Biology (General Biology I/II)
Chemistry (General Chemistry I/II)
Faculty Review:
Chemistry (Organic Chemistry I/II)
History (US History I/II, World Civilization I/II)
Political Science (U.S. Government, Comparative Government, State & Local Government, and International Relations)
In Progress:
Economics (Macroeconomics and Microeconomics)
Psychology (General Psychology and Research Methods)

5. Mass. Transfer Pathways Update
Still to be Initiated for Spring 2017:
English (College Writing I/II, English Composition I/II, Literary Studies, American Literature, and British Literature)
Sociology (Introduction to Sociology, Family, Race & Ethnicity, and Social Problems)

6. Assessment Testimonials
“Participating in AMCOA keeps UMass Lowell in touch with our colleagues across the state and across segments, and provides a forum to discuss not only student learning outcomes assessment, but the related work each of our campuses is doing to promote students’ success around issues of transfer, professional development, student support, and pedagogy.”
Paula Haines, Director of Curriculum Assessment & Accreditation, UMass Lowell, February 8, 2017

7. Assessment Testimonials
“I think the biggest benefit is that it brings together assessment and faculty development professionals, and faculty across institutions to engage in valuable cross campus discussions. This is unique to Massachusetts and the envy of colleagues from other states.”
Mark Nicholas, Director of Assessment, Framingham State University, February 14, 2017

8. Assessment Testimonials
“By its nature, teaching can be an isolating profession. Such isolation can be an obstacle to the collective work that is needed to make learning outcomes assessment meaningful to faculty and students. AMCOA, MSC and other cross-institutional and cross-state assessment efforts help to break this isolation, reveal the wider landscape of assessment and help to create personal connections that promote greater understanding and support for comparable assessment efforts.”
William Heineman, Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs, Northern Essex Community College, February 10, 2017

9. Assessment Testimonials
“I appreciate the approach Massachusetts has taken with regard to student learning outcomes assessment. Colleges have a seat at the table and their input has resulted in an approach which values authentic student work over standardized testing. At the same time, the DHE recognizes the importance of the unique, ongoing assessment efforts at colleges across the Commonwealth and supports them through professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. AMCOA, the Task Force on Statewide Assessment, and the annual conference have been a great way for me to connect and collaborate with colleagues at other colleges. Right now, I am working with several AMCOA members in my region to plan an event for faculty this spring.”
Marie Breheny, Director of Assessment, Greenfield Community College, February 10, 2017

10. Multi-State Collaborative
Large-Scale Assessment Without Standardized Tests
First data, based on analysis of work at 92 colleges, finds much success in writing, some success in critical thinking and more limited success in quantitative skills.
By Colleen Flaherty February 23, 2017

11. Closing