Assessment
The University is continually engaged in active assessment of its programs and processes. All units, both academic and administrative annually review their goals, progress and resources. Periodically, every unit participates in a self study through the Program Planning process. Specifically assessment is embedded, regularly-occurring activity that acquires data and evidence for the outcomes established for a program or endeavor.
Student learning is assessed both directly based on outcomes established for courses and programs and indirectly through student perceptions, opinions and self ratings. Learning assessment for the improvement of teaching and learning is required by the University’s regional accrediting agency, WASC. Progress in developing learning assessment programs is a strategic indicator for the Academic division. The development of a learning assessment program starts with the articulation of program goals and learning objectives and the selection of multiple measures of student learning. Learning assessment focuses on direct measures of learning, not just student satisfaction, and is best-utilized when is addresses a program’s most important issues. Good practice in learning assessment results in usable data that leads to decision-making. It is a critical component in sustaining and enhancing program quality.
