Assessment

1
Assessment

• Accountability Are we doing what we say we are
  doing?
• 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 Commissions 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
The Planning and Assessment Cycle
7
The 5-Column Report Template
8
An Alternative 6-Column Report Template
9
The 5-Column Report Template Operational Plans
10
The 5-Column Report TemplateAssessment Reports
11
The 5-Column Report Template Operational Plans
12
Goals

• Should link to Mission and to Strategic Plan
• Should be consistent and follow from goals of the
  units Cabinet officer
• Broad areas no details here

13
Goals

• Where can I get a copy of the Strategic Plan?
• Go to the SHC home page, then go to
  Institutional Planning and Analysis from
  the drop-down menu.
• The Mission Statement is within the Strategic
  Plan.

14
Goals

• Other Goals
• Day-to-day operations
• Staffing
• Staff development training
• Office facilities equipment
• Special one-time circumstances

15
Objectives

• More specific to the unit and its operations
• Should be at least potentially measurable
• Need to cover 2 years for budgetary purposes
• May include items contained in the prior
  assessment report

16
Specific Proposed Measures and Expected Outcomes

• 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
Specific Proposed Measures and Expected Outcomes

• Good Assessment Measures
• Utilize multiple sources.
• Have external validity.
• Are potentially actionable.
• Look at outputs, not inputs

18
The 5-Column Report TemplateAssessment Reports
19
Assessment Results and Outcomes

• Compile and present your findings.
• Reports should be filled with facts.
• Compare outcomes to targets.
• If you didnt do an activity you said you would,
  report that too.

20
Assessment Results and Student Outcomes

• Report good news.
• Report bad news.
• Avoid a report that wastes everybodys time.

21
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.

22
CLOSE THE LOOP

• Do it again, using what youve found to improve
  the next cycle.

Plan
Assess
Make Improvements