Assessment Steps & Checklist

Develop student learning outcomes (SLOs)

• What are the SLOs, and how do they align with the mission and learning goals at the college and university level?
• Are the number of SLOs manageable?
• Are the SLOs written in a specific, clear and concise manner?
• Are the SLOs demonstrable or measurable?
• Are the SLOs discrete (i.e. no “double-barrel” SLOs)?

Identify methods and measures

• What are the assessment points (courses, curricular or co-curricular activities) for each SLO in the program?
• What is the cycle of data collection and timeline of assessment for the SLOs? Who is responsible?
• What quantitative and/or qualitative methods will be used to measure each SLO? Think multiple methods!
• How can current embedded assessment be used or improved to provide evidence of student learning?
• How manageable and sustainable is the data collection plan?

Determine criteria for success

• For each SLO, what level of performance is expected of students? Are students and faculty aware of the expectations?
• How does the criteria for success for each source of data align with the expected progression of student learning?

Collect and analyze data

• What is the process (e.g. who, when, how) for analyzing the assessment data?
• What is the process (e.g. who, when, how) for interpreting and evaluating the assessment results?
• How will the assessment results be disseminated to faculty, students, administration and the broader campus?

Plan and execute improvement actions

• Are the assessment results used to improve teaching and learning practices?
• What is the process (e.g. who, when, how) for planning AND implementing improvement actions?
• What is the mechanism that ensures alignment between the assessment cycle and the curricular/co-curricular planning process?

Document assessment activities

• Who is responsible for documenting each step of the assessment loop?
• How is the impact of the improvement actions captured and documented?
• Is there a clear, organized process for documenting assessment activities (e.g. SLOs, plans, data, improvements)?