1. INNOVATION IN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
APPLICATION FOR MINI-GRANTS
Deadline for submission of applications for Mini-Grants
March 1, 2012 at 5 p.m.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Advancement of Student Learning Council (ASLC), with the support of the Office of Institutional
Effectiveness, is pleased to make available financial resources to assist faculty with activities associated
with student learning outcomes assessment. The goal of the mini-grant is to provide funding
opportunities to faculty to assist with new development of sound learning outcomes assessment practices
at the program-level, encourage professional development associated with program-level outcomes
assessment, and to strengthen the infrastructure for the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Mini-Grant: Awards up to $5,000. The purpose of a mini-grant is to provide start-up funds for a
new initiative directly related to the program’s outcomes assessment plan. Innovation in learning
outcomes assessment is an important aspect of building a culture that uses evidence to shape
decision making and curriculum development. Recipients may be asked to present their findings at
Pepperdine and at the WASC Academic Resource Conference in April 2013. Award recipients are
encouraged to pursue publication in one of the many teaching and learning journals. In addition, the
Office of Institutional Effectiveness should be considered as an analytic resource during the course
of the project. Please note: innovation is a key aspect of this grant. The ASLC is would like to
support and encourage new project development to enhance the assessment of student learning
outcomes.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
The application must be typed, dated and sent to the ASLC via email attachment to oie@pepperdine.edu
by the due date. Initiatives with funds from other sources are ineligible for the mini-grant. Faculty who
hold senior administrative roles (e.g., associate dean or higher) are also ineligible for funds.
ELIGIBILITY
Faculty who are involved with the development and implementation of program-outcomes assessment
activities are welcome to apply for support from the ASLC.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants must show clearly the relationship of the proposed activity to the intended program
assessment plan and must show how the information gained will advance student academic
outcomes assessment for the program. Please limit applications to two pages (single spaced).
I. APPLICATION COVER PAGE
II. PROPOSAL CRITERIA
A. Purpose:
a. Explain the proposed project/activity and its importance to the program’s assessment
plan.
b. Indicate the anticipated outcomes of the project.
B. Methodology and Relevance to the Advancement of Student Learning Outcomes Assessment:
a. Describe the project. Identify pertinent model(s) of inquiry, materials and procedures to
be used, and variables to be studied; explain how completion of the project will enhance

2. academic outcomes assessment for the program.
b. Include how the project fits in with the current program learning outcomes, curriculum
map, and assessment plan. Particular attention will be given to proposals that are also
tied to the university student learning outcomes.
C. Timeline: Indicate the anticipated dates for beginning and completing this project. Specify any
deadline dates of which the council should be cognizant as it considers your proposal.
III. PROPOSAL EVALUATION
Mini-Grant
The council will focus support on a new initiative directly related to program-level student learning
outcomes assessment. Typically, funded projects will be those that are highlighted in the unit’s
assessment plan. Please refer to Appendix A for the rubric used to evaluate mini-grant submissions.
Submissions with the highest total points will be awarded the funds, although a minimum of 80 points
total is required to contend. The number of awards granted may vary, depending on available
resources.
IV. FUNDING
1. Upon approval of the ASLC, the recipient will be awarded the funds in September 2012.
2. Recipient must submit a brief summary of their completed assessment project to the ASLC. The
summary should note the direct and indirect benefits to the program assessment. To provide an
opportunity for the university community to become better acquainted with the kind and quality
of assessment projects supported by the committee, recipients must be willing to present the
results of their work at an assessment related university event.
3. ASLC support should be acknowledged in all publications and presentations resulting from this
grant.

3. INNOVATION IN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
MINI-GRANT APPLICATION
I. APPLICATION COVER PAGE
Name of Applicant(s) (List Project Director first)
____________________________________________________________________________
Title of Proposal ______________________________________________________________
Department(s) ________________________________________________________________
Campus Mailing Address ________________________________________________________
E-mail Address _________________________________ Campus Phone _________________
Starting Date (M/Y): _____/______, Ending Date: (M/Y): _____/______
II. PROPOSAL OUTLINE
A. Purpose
B. Methodology and Relevance to the Advancement of Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment
C. Timeline

4. Appendix A
Innovation in Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: Mini-Grant Assessment Rubric
Rating Project Purpose Scholarly Literature Methodology Innovation
and Contribution
Project’s aims are clearly An integrated understanding The methodology is The uniqueness of the
Exemplary defined. How the PROGRAM of the scholarly literature appropriate for addressing the project’s contribution for
benefits from engaging in the related to the project aims and is explicitly assessing student learning is
(25 pts) proposed assessment practices discipline/profession, spelled out, e.g., the model of supported with evidence from
is addressed and direct pedagogy, and best inquiry is specified and benchmarking against other
evidence that precipitated the assessment practices is justified, variables are institutions or other methods
decision to engage in the presented to support the identified, the materials and that demonstrate new
proposed project is included in proposed project. References procedures (including sampling development.
the discussion. Also addressed list is provided. procedures) are described, and
is how the proposed project data analysis strategies are
provides evidence to support delineated. A detailed timeline
the university IEOs. for completion is provided.
Project aims are defined, Although literature relevant The methodology is The rationale for new
Acceptable although lack specificity. How to the proposed project is appropriate for addressing the development makes intuitive
the PROGRAM benefits from reviewed, there is a lack of an project aims but details sense but lacks supporting
(20 pts) engaging in the proposed integrated understanding of regarding the model of inquiry, evidence from benchmarking
assessment practices is the scholarly literature related variables, materials and or other methods that
addressed and indirect to the discipline/profession, procedures, and data analysis demonstrate uniqueness.
evidence is offered to explain pedagogy, and best strategies are missing. A
the need for the proposed assessment practices. timeline for completion is
project. How the proposed References list is provided. provided, although the steps
project provides evidence to toward completion are vague.
support the university IEOs is
vague.
Project aims are ill-defined. Scholarly literature is of The methodology is The proposed project is
Unacceptable How the PROGRAM benefits limited scope and does not incongruent with the aims of nothing more than acting on
from engaging in the proposed provide adequate support for the proposed study and/or is what is the standard of
(10 pts) assessment practices is only the proposed project. ill-defined. A timeline may not practice in higher education,
superficially addressed and no exist or if one does exist, the i.e., requests to develop
evidence is offered to explain steps toward completion are program SLOs, curriculum
the need for the proposed unspecified. map, and/or assessment plan.
project. There is no discussion
of how the proposed project
provides evidence to support
the university IEOs.