1. Academic Assessment Accountability: Are we what we say we are? Program Improvement: How can we be even better? External audiences: SACS

2. SACS Principles of Accreditation Quality Enhancement The Commission on Colleges expects institutions to dedicate themselves to enhancing the quality of their programs and services within the context of their missions, resources, and capacities, and creating an environment in which teaching, research, and learning occurs.

3. SACS Principles of Accreditation The concept of quality enhancement is at the heart of the Commission’s philosophy of accreditation; this presumes each member institution is engaged in an ongoing program of improvement and can demonstrate how well it fulfills its stated mission.

4. SACS Principles of Accreditation Core Requirements 5. The institution engages in ongoing, integrated, and institution-wide research- based planning and evaluation processes that incorporate a systematic review of programs and services that (a) results in continuing improvement and (b) demonstrates that the institution is effectively accomplishing its mission.

5. SACS Principles of Accreditation Comprehensive Standards Institutional Effectiveness 16. The institution identifies expected outcomes for its educational programs and its administrative and educational support services; assesses whether it achieves these outcomes; and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of those results.

6. SACS Principles of Accreditation Comprehensive Standards Standards for All Educational Programs* 12. The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curriculum with its faculty.

7. The Planning and Assessment Cycle WhenWhat October 15, 2003Operational Plan for 2003-04 and 2004-05 August 1, 2004Assessment Report for 2003-04 October 15, 2004Operational Plan for 2004-05 and 2005-06 August 1, 2005Assessment Report for 2004-05 October 15, 2005Operational Plan for 2005-06 and 2006-07

8. The 5-Column Report Template GoalsObjectives Intended Assessment Measures Assessment Results and Student Outcomes Actions Already Taken or Actions Planned as a Result of Assessment

9. The 5-Column Report Template: Operational Plans GoalsObjectives Intended Assessment Measures Assessment Results and Student Outcomes Actions Already Taken or Actions Planned as a Result of Assessment

10. The 5-Column Report Template: Assessment Reports GoalsObjectives Intended Assessment Measures Assessment Results and Student Outcomes Actions Already Taken or Actions Planned as a Result of Assessment

11. The 5-Column Report Template: Operational Plans GoalsObjectives Intended Assessment Measures Assessment Results and Student Outcomes Actions Already Taken or Actions Planned as a Result of Assessment

12. Goals Should link to Mission and to Strategic Plan Broad areas – no details here

13. Goals Most common goals in Academic plans –The Major –Graduate Programs [must be treated separately] –Involvement in Core –Staffing – full-time and adjunct –Faculty Development –Facilities and Equipment

14. Goals Other Goals –Administrative Structure –Service to Students –Special Programs –Undergraduate Research –External Relations –One-time Special Situations

15. Objectives More specific to the discipline or the department Many departments have lists of explicit learning objectives What do you expect students to know? What do you expect students to be able to do? What broad competencies will the student have? Should be at least potentially measurable Need to cover 2 years for budgetary purposes May include items contained in the prior assessment report

16. Intended Assessment Measures Develop measures before you undertake assessment Only list things you really intend to do Be specific – set targets Need to be measurable, even if the measures are things like “adequate” or “good”

17. Intended Assessment Measures EVERY major program should have assessment measures relating to –The Comprehensive Experience –National Exam results (if given) –Alumni outcomes Assessment measures look at PROGRAM outcomes, not individual students

18. Intended Assessment Measures Good Assessment Measures … –Utilize multiple sources. –Have external validity. –Are potentially actionable. –Look at outputs, not inputs

19. The 5-Column Report Template: Assessment Reports GoalsObjectives Intended Assessment Measures Assessment Results and Student Outcomes Actions Already Taken or Actions Planned as a Result of Assessment

20. Assessment Results and Student Outcomes Compile and present your findings. Reports should be filled with facts. Compare outcomes to targets. If you didn’t do an activity you said you would, report that too.

21. Assessment Results and Student Outcomes Report good news. Report bad news. Avoid a report that wastes everybody’s time.

22. Actions Already Taken or Actions Planned as a Result of Assessment Respond to the findings Some responses occurred during the year – report those actions as well. Be realistic. Point out unresolved issues.

23. CLOSE THE LOOP Do it again, using what you’ve found to improve the next cycle. PlanAssess Make Improvements