Tools & Techniques for Program Improvement
Orange County Community College, as part of the State University of New York (SUNY) System, and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), is required to regularly assess the student learning outcomes of each academic program.
“Academic Program Assessment: Tools & Techniques for Program Improvement” was developed by the Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research Office and supported by the College’s Assessment Advisory Committee to guide faculty and programs through the steps of academic program assessment.
Click on the link for a complete version (in PDF format) of "Tools & Techniques for Program Improvement" (complete plain text (TXT) version) or click on the links below to view each section (in PDF format).
- What is Assessment?
- 9 Principles of Effective Assessment
- Assessment Myths
- Assessment Plans
- Student Learning Outcomes
- Curriculum Mapping
- Assessment Methods
- Sample Population & Size
- Determining Criteria
- Analyzing, Utilizing & Disseminating Assessment Data - "Closing the Loop"
- Hints & Tips
- Frequently Used Assessment Terms
- Assessment Quotes
The “Academic Program Assessment: Tools & Techniques for Program Improvement” will continually be updated and improved based on the assessment needs of faculty and programs. Feedback is welcomed on what information and tools are both helpful and not helpful. Additionally, share any recommendations on additional content to include in order to make the document a valuable resource for assessment initiatives.