SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY

LINKING ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT:

A FORMAT FOR PROGRAM RESPONSES

The primary purpose of programmatic assessment is to define a program’s learning objectives, collect and analyze evidence to determine the extent to which these objectives are being met, and use the results for program improvement. Below is a format for faculty to use to describe their assessment endeavors and link them to program improvement. [See the reverse side for definitions and additional information.]

  1. PROGRAM
  2. PROGRAM MISSION
  3. PROGRAM GOALS
  4. ASSESSING STUDENT ATTAINMENT OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES

List each learning objective and its related goal statement(s). For each learning objective, identify:

    1. the competencies students will possess upon achievement of the objective.
    2. where in the curriculum the objective is addressed.
    3. the assessment method(s) used to determine whether the objective was attained [including how, when, and by whom attainment of the objective was measured].
    4. the criteria for success [i.e., what levels of achievement are considered acceptable for students in the program].
    5. the results of the assessment, [i.e., what was learned about how well the program is achieving its objectives].
  1. OTHER ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES AND THEIR RESULTS
  2. [e.g., using measures such as surveys, interviews, focus groups to assess attitudes, perceptions, satisfaction, etc.]

  3. USE OF ASSESSMENT RESULTS FOR PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT
  4. Indicate how assessment results in specific areas are being used for program improvement.

     

    Report Completed by: ___________________________________ Date: __________________

    Department Chair: ___________________________________ Date: __________________

    (if different from person completing the report)

     

    Academic Planning and Assessment

    December 2, 1999

     

     

     

     

    DEFINITIONS

  5. PROGRAM
  6. Undergraduate and graduate majors and concentrations, free-standing minors, credentials, and certificates.

  7. PROGRAM MISSION
  8. The program mission is a succinct statement of what the program is, what it values, what its philosophy is, and what it is doing. The mission communicates a vision of what matters most with reference to student learning and achievement in the program.

  9. PROGRAM GOALS
  10. Program goals are statements regarding the general aims or purposes of a program and its curriculum, including how the goals contribute to the mission. Goal statements communicate anticipated traits, characteristics, and capabilities expected of program graduates.

  11. ASSESSING STUDENT ATTAINMENT OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Learning objectives are succinct, measurable statements that describe the intended results of instruction in terms of specific student behaviors and levels of achievement derived from program goals. Attention is focused on the specific types of performances that students are expected to demonstrate.

Competencies specify the knowledge, skills, understandings, and/or attitudes students will possess upon achievement of the objective.

Assessment methods are data collection strategies designed to measure the attainment of competencies. Assessment methods may include:

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