Executive Summary
Southeast's original assessment plan, approved by the Board of Regents in 1987, specified
directions for the development of assessment in General Education, the undergraduate
major, and teacher education. It also recommended that a review of the assessment
program should be conducted after a five-year implementation period. The ad hoc Assessment
Review Committee was appointed in 1992-93 to conduct the review and develop a revised
assessment plan for the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. The
revised plan incorporates many of the accomplishments of the preceding years while
recommending further refinements and additions that should strengthen the use of assessment
results for continuous program improvement. The resulting plan exhibits the five characteristics
of an assessment program recommended by NCA.
- Southeast's assessment plan is "linked to the mission, goals, and objectives of the
institution for student learning and academic achievement, including learning in general
education and in the major. " The University's Statement of Institutional identity
commits the institution to the creation of an intellectually challenging learning
environment, which includes a forty-eight hour general education program based on
nine measurable objectives, and undergraduate and graduate programs in business, education,
liberal arts, health and human services, and the sciences and technologies. The assessment
plan specifies methods for assessing student academic achievement in general education,
the undergraduate major, and graduate programs and for monitoring the quality of the
learning environment.
- Southeast's assessment plan provides "evidence that faculty have participated in the
development of the institution's plan and that the plan is institution-wide in conceptualization
and scope." The NCA assessment plan was developed by an institution-wide committee
consisting of faculty representatives from each college and school, campus leaders
in assessment, and representatives from the divisions of Student Affairs and Finance
& Administration. The plan was shared with the Deans Council, college councils, and
Chairpersons Forum for comment and suggestions. The plan was approved by the Assessment
Review Committee, Academic Council, and Administrative Council.
- Southeast's assessment plan is likely to "lead to institutional improvement when it
is implemented" Results from assessment activities have led to changes in curriculum,
special projects intended to improve teaching and learning, and changes in advising
procedures. The Assessment Review Committee revised the existing assessment program
so as to place a greater emphasis on the use of assessment for institutional improvement.
Clarified reporting procedures should increase awareness of assessment information,
and the closing of "the improvement loop" in revised departmental assessment plans
should encourage departments to use results for continuous program improvement.
- Southeast's assessment plan is guided by an appropriate and realistic timeline. The
primary components of Southeast's assessment program have already been implemented.
Planned changes, such as revision of departmental assessment plans and incorporation
of assessment information into annual departmental reports, can be accomplished in
the one to two years proposed by our timeline. Where more time is needed--for example,
to increase the breadth and depth of assessment in General Education--a longer time
period is allotted. The proposal to conduct a general review of assessment in 1997-98
is timely in that it allows three years for current plans to come to fruition and
will lead naturally into the institutional self-study that will commence in 1998-99.
- Southeast's assessment plan “provides appropriate administration of the assessment
program." To maintain a clear link between assessment and program improvement, assessment
must be undertaken primarily by the units that deliver academic programs. Hence, the
plan affirms that assessment of academic programs will be designed and administered
by departments, colleges, and schools. On the other hand, responsibility for assessment
is not so decentralized that assessment activities escape review in terms of institutional
priorities and commitments. The General Education has created the position of Director
of Planning and Assessment to unify program review in general education with assessment.
The Assessment Review Committee reports directly to the Provost, and the position
of Assistant Provost has been recast to include responsibilities for both program
review and assessment.
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Outcomes Assessment Plan for Southeast Missouri State University
Outcomes Assessment Plan for Southeast Missouri State University
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Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University
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Assessment Review Committee, 1992-1994
Assessment Review Committee, 1992-1994
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Inventory of Departmental Assessment Activities, 1993-94
Inventory of Departmental Assessment Activities, 1993-94
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Components of Revised Departmental Assessment Plans
Components of Revised Departmental Assessment Plans
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Campus Learning Environment: Inventory of Assessment Activities
Campus Learning Environment: Inventory of Assessment Activities
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Coordination & Oversight: Positions, Reports, Committees
Coordination & Oversight: Positions, Reports, Committees