assessment accountability: are we doing what we say we are doing? program improvement: how can we be...

Assessment

• Accountability: Are we doing what we say we are doing?

• Program Improvement: How can we be even better?

• External audiences: SACS

SACS Principles of Accreditation

Quality EnhancementThe 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.


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.


Core Requirements5. 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.


Comprehensive StandardsInstitutional Effectiveness16. 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.

The Planning and Assessment Cycle

When What

October 15, 2003 Operational Plan for 2003-04 and 2004-05

August 1, 2004 Assessment Report for 2003-04


August 1, 2005 Assessment Report for 2004-05


The 5-Column Report Template

Goals Objectives

Specific Proposed Measures and Expected Outcomes

Assessment Results and Outcomes

Actions Already Taken or Actions Planned as a Result of Assessment

The 5-Column Report Template: Operational Plans

Goals Objectives




The 5-Column Report Template:Assessment Reports

Goals Objectives




The 5-Column Report Template: Operational Plans

Goals Objectives




Goals

• Should link to Mission and to Strategic Plan

• Should be consistent and follow from goals of the unit’s Cabinet officer

• Broad areas – no details here

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.

Goals

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

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


• 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”


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

The 5-Column Report Template:Assessment Reports

Goals Objectives





• 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.

Assessment Results and Student Outcomes

• Report good news.• Report bad news.• Avoid a report that wastes everybody’s

time.


• Respond to the findings• Some responses occurred during the year

– report those actions as well.• Be realistic.• Point out unresolved issues.

CLOSE THE LOOP

• Do it again, using what you’ve found to improve the next cycle.

Plan Assess

Make Improvements

assessment accountability: are we doing what we say we are doing? program improvement: how can we be...

Documents

column report templatethe

report bad news

assessment cyclethe

assessment reportsthe

result of assessment

member institution

program improvement

ongoing program of improvement