Learning Outcomes
Assessment: An
Overview of the
Process at Texas State
Beth Wuest
Director, Academic Development and Assessment
Lisa Garza
Director, University Planning and Assessment
February 25, 2009
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Workshop Goals
Participants will learn about:

The value of student learning outcomes assessment

Procedures for the outcomes assessment process at Texas State

How to identify and describe the program mission, outcomes,
methods of assessment, results, action plans, and evidence of
improvement

How to use tools for reporting outcomes assessment (demo)
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Value of Student Learning
Outcomes Assessment
“Just as diagnosis without treatment is not
very helpful to a sick patient, assessment
without analysis and action can do little for
an institution.”
-- Braskamp, 1989
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
We have always assessed student
learning outcomes.

What is different about this process is that
we are looking for evidence of whether our
students are learning what we want them
to learn as an element of program
assessment and improvement.
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
In higher education, the term assessment
traditionally has two components:

gathering information in a prescribed manner
(i.e., measurement) and
 interpreting that information to make
decisions about policy, curriculum, instruction,
or assessment practices (i.e., evaluation).
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Linkages to Other University
Assessment
Academic Program Review
 College and University strategic planning
 Program and University accreditations

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Why are Student Learning Outcomes
So Important?

basis for program improvement

instruction, course design, curricular design

communicate instructional intent

increase awareness of learning (for students)

common language

advising materials

promotional materials

support accreditation
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SACS Standard


3.3.1 The institution identifies expected
outcomes, assesses the extent to which it
achieves these outcomes, and provides
evidence of improvement based on analysis of
the results in each of the following areas:
3.3.1.1 Educational programs, to include student learning
outcomes
3.3.1.2 Administrative support services
3.3.1.3 Educational support services
3.3.1.4 Research within its educational mission, if appropriate
3.3.1.5 Community/public service within its educational mission,
if appropriate
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Procedures for Outcomes
Assessment Process at Texas State
Focus on Student Learning
 Faculty driven process

 Input
regarding outcomes by faculty
 Assessment by faculty
 Discussion of results and actions that need to
be taken by faculty
 Adjustments in program delivery by faculty
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Procedures for Outcomes Assessment
Includes description of mission, outcomes,
methods of assessment, results, action
plans, and evidence of improvement
 Submitted electronically
 Approved by chairs and deans
 Formally reviewed by associate deans
 Conducted on annual basis (academic
year)

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Timeline for Outcomes Assessment

In the fall of each academic year


all academic programs revise and submit
their program mission statement, 5 to 8
learning outcomes, and two methods of
assessment for each outcome
In the spring of each academic year

all academic programs submit their results,
action plans, and evidence of improvement
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Identifying and Describing
Outcomes Assessment
Mission
 Student learning outcomes
 Methods of assessment
 Results
 Action Plans
 Evidence of Improvement

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mission
Convey the specific intent of the program
 Define the core purpose of the program

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student learning outcomes

Describe specific behaviors that a student of the
program should demonstrate upon completion of
the program

Focus on the intended abilities, knowledge,
values, and attitudes of the student

Include measureable development of cognitive,
psychomotor and affective skills pertinent to the
program

Provide insight for program improvement
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methods

provide an objective, effective, efficient, and controllable
means of verifying the achievement of student outcomes

predominately focus on direct assessments

indicate who will be assessed; how you will assess each
of your outcomes; when and where you will assess each
outcome; what specific learning will be assessed; and
the target you expect to achieve

provide multiple (at least two) ways to assess each
outcome
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results
Reflect upon and discuss findings from
corresponding method
 Based on reliable and valid data collection
 Indicate level of achievement of
performance target
 Provide indicators for improvement
 More than reporting grades

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action plans
Based on reported findings/results
 Are feasible
 Should lead to continuous improvement in
student learning
 Enhance effectiveness of the program
 Provide for efficient use of resources

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evidence of improvement
Founded in the results
 Focus on improvement in student learning

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Using Tools for Reporting
Outcomes Assessment

Website for Outcomes Assessment
 On-line
Instructions
 Data entry
 Approvals
 Reports
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Re-Cap of Process
Step 1: Define program mission
Step 2: Define program goals
Step 3: Define student learning
outcomes
Step 4: Inventory existing and
needed assessment methods
Step 5: Identify assessment methods for each
learning outcome
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Step 6: Deliver program
Step 7: Gather data as indicated in methods
Step 8: Draft results
Step 9: Discuss possible action plans
Step 10: Note areas of improvement in student learning
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Closing the Loop
Define/Revise
Mission & Goals
Create &
Implement
Action Plan
Assess
Student Learning
results & evidence
of improvement
Identify/Revise
Outcomes
Select/Revise
Methods of
Assessment
Develop/Revise
Curriculum and
Instruction
Challenges and Pitfalls

one size does not fit all — some methods work well for
one program but not others

do not try to do the perfect assessment all at once —
take a continuous improvement approach

allow for ongoing feedback and discussion

concentrate on learning that is most important and where
you have control
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questions
and
comments
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Resources

Academic Outcomes Assessment
 https://virtualwebapp.cr.txstate.edu/academic
outcomes/default.aspx

Administrative Outcomes Assessment
 https://virtualwebapp.cr.txstate.edu/administra
tiveoutcomes/

Presentations
 http://www.upa.txstate.edu/Presentations.html
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Contacts

Beth Wuest, Director
 Academic
Development and Assessment
 150 J.C. Kellam 245-2112

Lisa Garza, Director
 University
Planning and Assessment
 1084 J.C. Kellam 245-2780
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