WHEREAS

Student outcomes assessment is any process of gathering concrete evidence about the impact and functioning of undergraduate and graduate education that results in program evaluation and improvement. It includes information about individual student learning and about curricula or educational programs beyond that normally associated with the determination of grades in individual courses; and

WHEREAS

Assessment of student outcomes is an integral part of the teaching/learning process; and

WHEREAS

San Francisco State University has a strong desire to provide its students and society with education of the highest quality; and

WHEREAS

Assessment of student outcomes can serve to improve teaching and learning in all disciplines; and

WHEREAS

Total institutional effectiveness is a function of both the teaching/learning process and educational support services; and

WHEREAS

Accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) now requires, in Standard Four, that: "Efforts are undertaken to develop and implement ways to measure the educational effectiveness of programs;" and

WHEREAS

The recent review of the Master Plan for Higher Education in California recommends that "the Trustees of the California State University.... shall initiate programs through their Faculty Senates to begin campus-based student outcomes assessment....," and

WHEREAS

The CSU Advisory Committee on Student Outcomes Assessment proposes "campus-based, faculty-centered, and student-responsive" assessment programs; and

WHEREAS

The California State Student Association (CSSA) "supports the concept of student outcomes assessment in relation to the quality of education in the CSU;" therefore be it

RESOLVED

That the Academic Senate of San Francisco State University supports student outcomes assessment that is:

1.

campus-based, focusing on departments and programs,

2.

faculty-designed,

3.

educationally effective,

4.

adopted experimentally and incrementally,

5.

multi-method and multivariate,

6.

linked to academic program review, and

7.

regarded as only one measure for assessing overall program quality,

and be it further

RESOLVED

That the results of student outcomes assessments are not comparable across faculty, programs, departments, or campuses, and should not be used for such purposes, and be it further

RESOLVED

That the nature and scope of assessment activities will depend upon the level of additional resources provided for this purpose; and be it further

RESOLVED

That discipline-based research on assessment be recognized as a professional growth activity for hiring, retention, tenure, and promotion purposes; and be it further

RESOLVED

That the Academic Senate of San Francisco State University recommends that the non-teaching units of the University assess their effectiveness in providing educational support services to students; and be it further

RESOLVED

That the Academic Senate of San Francisco State University endorses the attached Plan of Action for Implementation of Student Outcomes Assessment.