Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Developed and Presented by the Assessment Committee

Faculty Day, August 28, 2008

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Assessment > We Aim to …

• Increase understanding of the College’s Assessment Initiative

• Create familiarity with our College’s Institutional Learning Assessment Plan

• Increase awareness of current and planned activities related to assessment

• Communicate methods to stay connected

Faculty Day, August 28, 2008 Developed by the SJCME Assessment Committee 2

Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Institutional Assessment Committee

Assessment > How We Got Here

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Guiding Principles

• Sr. Marilyn Sunderman• Kathleen Clements• June Marshall• Karen Lemke• Lisa Theriault

Learning Goals

• Margaret Hourigan• Greg Gull• Sr. Patricia Flynn • Scott Balcomb • Katrina Hoop • John Hufstader• Janet Douglas

RelationshipsBetween College

Plans• Mark Green• Joyce Coburn• Beth Auger• Jonathan Malmude• Bill Yates

Conceptual Relationships

• Sue Kelly • Dale Brooker• Nick Benfaremo• Gail Marchigiano • Bill Lemke • Nina Eduljee• Cynthia Mowles

VPAA Initiative

• Nina Eduljee • Greg Gull • Gail Marchigiano • Steven Bridge

Institutional Learning Assessment Plan

Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Assessment > What is Your Initial Reaction?

Faculty Day, August 28, 2008 4Developed by the SJCME Assessment Committee

Happy Confused

UnhappyQuestioning

Avoiding

Contemplative

Knowledgeable

Red Faced

Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Assessment > So What is it?

“An ongoing process aimed at understanding, documenting and improving student learning.”

— Stiehl, 2002

“The systematic gathering of information about student learning and the factors that affect learning, undertaken with the resources, time, and expertise available, for the purpose of improving learning.”

— Walvoord, 2004

“The systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development.”

Palomba & Banta, 1999

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Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

What Does That Mean?

Without student assessment, it would be impossible to know if students are meeting the goals and expectations of

an institution, department, or class. An instructor who assumes that

students are learning just because they attend class may end up

being disappointed when it comes to exams or papers. There is often

a gap between what was taught by the teacher and what was

learned by the student.

Assessment provides the necessary information to identify and bridge this gap.

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Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

“Assessment does not need to be complicated …

and, rightly used it can be a powerful tool for improvement. Good

information in the right hands is potentially the best lever for change. If assessment is

done properly, it can provide a basis for wiser planning and budgeting, and change

in curriculum, pedagogy, staffing, programming, and student support, rather than wasting resources on the latest educational fad or vague notions about what might be effective…further, careful attention to students’ learning by departments and the institution

can help create a climate of caring and engagement that supports

students’ own commitment to their learning.”

— Walvoord, 2004

Clearly, no institution that claims to take seriously their dedication to student learning can do so without the aid of assessment.

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Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

We are Accountable …

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“Regional and professional accreditation agencies across the United States are explicitly requiring demonstrable evidence of planning processes that are systematic, and that are rooted in quantitative and qualitative measures”

— Middaugh & Seybert, 2006

A comprehensive assessment program that incorporates these measures is a principle means of satisfying accountability.

Rooted in and professing fidelity to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the doctrines and heritage of the Roman Catholic Church, Saint Joseph's College, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, is a liberal arts college that nurtures intellectual, spiritual and social growth in students of all ages and all faiths within a value-centered environment.

—SJCME Mission Statement

Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Assessment > Goals

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SJCME Mission

Learning Goals Core Values

IntellectualSpiritualSocial

FaithExcellenceIntegrityCommunity

RespectCompassion

Justice

“What gets measured, gets attended to; What gets attended to, gets done”— Anonymous

Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Assessment > Target Outcomes

Faculty Day, August 28, 2008 Developed by the SJCME Assessment Committee 10

Student Learning OutcomesIntellectual Spiritual› Passion for

Learning› Decision Making

Skills and Thinking Abilities

› Information and Technological Literacy

› Effective Communication

› Career Preparation

› Ethics and Integrity

› Faith and Spirituality

Social› Global Awareness

and Perspective› Social

Responsibility and Justice

› Environmental Responsibility

Institutional Level

Department Level

Course Level

Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Assessment > Working Together

Institutional Level

Department Level

Course Level

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Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Assessment > Plan Outline

• Institutional Learning Assessment Plan Components– Guiding Principles of Assessment– Mission Goals and Values of the College– Institutional Student Learning Outcomes– Areas and Levels of Mission Fulfillment

• Organizational Chart and Role of Vice Presidents

– Assessment Process• Assessment at the Course/Department Level• Assessment at the Institutional Level

– Conclusion

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Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Assessment > What’s Next

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September 2008

› Read the Assessment Plan and provide feedback to Institutional Assessment Directors

› Develop comprehensive Assessment Communications Plan

All Faculty

VPAA and Institutional Assessment Directors

October 2008

› Meet with Department Chairs to discuss and finalize assessment methodology and metrics

› Workshops with all faculty members to discuss and finalize assessment methodology and metrics

› Communicate Assessment Plan to non-faculty stakeholders

Department Chairs and Institutional Assessment Directors

All Faculty and Institutional Assessment Directors

Students, Administration , etc. and Institutional Assessment Directors

November 2008

› Commence Program Reviews All Stakeholders

Assessment > What it Means and Why it is Important

Assessment > Stay Connected

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• Learning Assessment Link on mySJC page– http://sigma.sjcme.edu/mySJC/LearningAssessment.html

• Email LearningAssessment@sjcme.edu• Quarterly Newsletter starting January 2009