1. Introduction to Assessment Leadership Development Program September 2010

2. Presentation Goals By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: Understand the role of Assessment within NAU Present HLC Academy for Assessment project goals and progress at their campuses

3. Views of Assessment “Education tests who more effort needed in reading comprehension” Headline from Caledonion-Record, St. Johnsbury, VT “Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?” George W. Bush “Institutional assessment efforts should not be concerned about valuing what can be measured but instead about measuring that which is valued.” Dr. Trudy Banta

4. What is Assessment? Process of documenting in measurable terms the development of student learning Formative (diagnostic) Summative (evaluative) “When the cook tastes the soup, that's formative. When the guests taste the soup, that's summative.” --Robert Stake, University of Illinois Center for Instructional Research and Curriculum Evaluation (CIRCE)

5. HLC Criterion Three Student Learning & Effective Teaching The organization provides evidence of student learning and teaching effectiveness that demonstrates it is fulfilling its educational mission. Core Component 3a: The organization’s goals for student learning outcomes are stated for all educational programs and make effective assessment possible The organization clearly differentiates its learning goals for undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs by identifying the expected learning outcomes for each. Assessment of student learning provides evidence at multiple levels: course, program, and institutional. Assessment of student learning includes multiple direct and indirect measures of student learning. www.ncahlc.org

6. HLC Criterion Three Student Learning & Effective Teaching Results obtained through assessment of student learning are available to appropriate constituencies, including students themselves. The organization integrates into its assessment of student learning the data reported for purposes of external accountability (e.g., graduation rates, passage rates on licensing exams, placement rates, transfer rates). The organization’s assessment of student learning extends to all educational offerings, including credit and noncredit certificate programs. Faculty are involved in defining expected student learning outcomes and creating the strategies to determine whether those outcomes are achieved. www.ncahlc.org

7. Assessment of Student Learningwithin NAU Faculty and administrators routinely review the effectiveness and uses of the organization’s program to assess student learning. The organization’s assessment of student learning extends to all educational offerings Faculty are involved in defining student learning outcomes and creating assessment strategies to measure achievement of outcomes Assessment results inform improvements in curriculum, instruction, and student services.

8. Core Component 3aAssessment of Student Learning MyNAU Academics link for the university and academic programs’ assessment plans. NAU Assessment of Student Academic Achievement Flowchart (pg. 18 of institutional Assessment plan)

9. HLC Academy for the Assessment of Student Learning NAU was accepted into the Academy in March 2010 Time to “get back to the fundamentals” Project goals, timelines, and progress Project success depends on university-wide involvement More information on MyNAU

10. Core Abilities Critical Thinking and Problem Solving The process of actively and skillfully gathering, organizing, and analyzing information to propose solutions and evaluate their effectiveness. Professional Competence A combination of knowledge and capabilities which allow the performance of an occupation according to standards of practice for the chosen field. Communication The exchange of information between people by means of speaking, writing, visual, and other appropriate modes of expression.

11. Core Abilities Collaboration The ability to interact with others to create relationships, partnerships, and professional networks. Personal and Social Responsibility The development of a strong work ethic, personal integrity, and competence in ethical and moral reasoning, as well as the ability to consider the viewpoints of others, and the responsibility to contribute to one’s wider community.

13. Beginning Spring 2011

14. eLumen

15. Powerful software used for measuring institutional, programmatic, and student outcomes.

17. References The Higher Learning Commission. (2003). Handbook for Accreditation(3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: Author. Criteria for accreditation. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.ncahlc.org