Assessment Plans & Results
What is an assessment plan?
An assessment plan is a document that outlines:
- Student learning outcomes (for academic programs) or unit outcomes (for support units)
- Direct and indirect assessment methods used to demonstrate the attainment of each outcome
- Timeframe for collecting and reviewing the data & the party responsible for the collection/review of data
- Uses for assessment results
Why should programs/units develop assessment plans?
Developing an assessment plan facilitates documentation of assessment activities, allows for college-wide communication, and increases the efficiency and effectiveness of implementing the assessments and utilizing the findings. Assessment plans also serve as evidence for accreditation requirements by demonstrating that the college is continuously striving to improve student learning.
What characterizes an effective assessment plan?
An effective assessment plan includes several important characteristics:
- The program’s student learning outcomes (SLO) should align with the program’s goals and mission as well as the goals and mission of the college
- Multiple methods of assessment should be used including both direct and indirect methods
- Faculty should be involved in the process of assessing student learning
- Assessment results should lead to improvement initiatives
How to develop an assessment plan:
Phase |
Step |
Description |
|---|---|---|
PLAN |
Mission, Goals, & SLO |
Review & revise program MISSION & GOALS |
| Review & revise program STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES | ||
| Align program SLO with the curriculum utilizing a “curriculum map” | ||
Participants |
Identify an “assessment team/task force” in order to determine WHO will participate in the assessment | |
Timeline |
Develop a realistic TIMELINE to identify when assessment activities will occur | |
“Inventory” |
Review past assessment methods, tools, & findings to assist in developing current assessment plan | |
Methodology |
Determine what assessment METHODS will be used to gather information/data for each SLO | |
| Determine SAMPLE population and size to be assessed | ||
| Establish the CRITERIA that will determine achievement of each SLO | ||
IMPLEMENT |
Data |
COLLECT data |
| External Review Team visit (Required by SUNY's Assessment Initiative) | ||
| ANALYZE data using criteria | ||
UTILIZE |
Results |
Review & report assessment RESULTS |
| Make RECOMMENDATIONS for program improvement | ||
| Develop PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT PLAN based on results & recommendations | ||
| Disseminate results to STAKEHOLDERS | ||
Improve |
Implement program improvement initiatives | |
| Document improvement efforts and effects | ||
| Review & revise the assessment plan & process |