The Assessment Process

In order for assessment to contribute to the curriculum management process, data must be shared with the faculty.  Some schools, such as Seton Hall and Ohio Northern, prepare an annual report for faculty analyzing assessment data, while others (e.g., Kings University) set aside an Assessment Day for faculty to make presentations on assessment results.   These reports or presentations then become the basis for evaluating whether the program’s curriculum is producing acceptable learning outcomes.  Questions include: What does assessment data suggest? How has the program fared?  What is there to celebrate?  To be concerned about?  How should the assessment data be used to improve the program?

Reporting the data does not need to be an onerous task.  Below are links to forms developed by Montana State University and Northern Illinois University that simplify and routinize the reporting task. 

Northern Illinois  http://www.niu.edu/assessment (choose Assessment Plans, and then Academic Program blank).

Montana:  http://www.montana.edu/aircj/assess/summary/form.html