University Committee on Assessment (November 2001) - Oakland University Senate

University Committee On Assessment

(November 2001)

DIRECTIVE

1. All Oakland University academic programs will assess student achievement.

2. Academic assessments will address program goals and learning outcomes, the university's mission statement, and national standards where applicable.

3. The University Committee on Academic Assessment (hereafter "Assessment Committee"), a standing committee of the University Senate, will implement the University assessment plan.

4. All academic units and subunits providing programs for undergraduate and graduate students will develop assessment plans and submit them to the Assessment Committee.

5. Upon approval of an assessment plan, academic units will implement the plan and report results to the Assessment Committee and the Dean or academic administrator.

6. New programs are required to develop assessment plans, following guidelines set forth by the Assessment Committee, as part of their approval process and submit the plans to the assessment committee.

7. The Assessment Committee will establish guidelines for the development of assessment plans and criteria for evaluating them.

8. The Assessment Committee will establish a schedule for the submission, review and implementation of assessment plans.

9. The Assessment Committee will review assessment plans and assessment reports and will report annually to the University Senate on their activities and the progress of program assessment at Oakland University.

10. The Assessment Committee will work with all academic units to provide assistance and information for assessment activities and to increase the visibility of assessment efforts and accomplishments across the University.

PROGRAM ASSESSMENT PLANS

1. The development of an academic unit's assessment plan should flow from Oakland University's Role and Mission statement, including the following relevant passage:

"Oakland University provides rigorous educational programs. A strong core of the liberal arts is the basis on which undergraduates develop, the skills, knowledge and attitudes essential for successful living and active, concerned citizenship. A variety of majors and specialized curricula prepare students for post-baccalaureate education, professional schools, or careers directly after graduation. Each program provides a variety of courses and curricular experiences to ensure an enriched life along with superior career preparation r enhancement.... In addition to their intrinsic value, research and scholarship reinforce the instructional mission of the university. Wherever possible, students are involved in research projects, and the results of the research and scholarship are integrated into related courses of instruction."

2. An assessment plan should also flow from an academic unit's mission and goals. Through its assessment plan, an academic unit asks itself: "How well are we doing what we aim to do?" and "How do we know that our students are graduating with the knowledge and skills that we believe a graduate from this program should have?"

3. An assessment plan should be comprehensive and involve multiple measures. Assessment plans should include direct and indirect measures of student performance, skills and achievement toward goals, utilizing quantitative and qualitative analyses.

4. The assessment plan should be a collaborative effort by the faculty, coordinated by a program head or an individual delegated to undertake this task.

5. The development of an assessment plan is a continuous process of refinement.

PROGRAM PLAN REVIEW

1. In order to assist in the development of assessment plans, the Assessment Committee will provide feedback during the planning process.

2. The Assessment Committee will review assessment plans and either approve them or request revisions.

ASSESSMENT IMPLEMENTATION

1. Upon approval of its plan, an academic unit will implement its assessment program.

2. The unit will report its assessment results to the Assessment Committee and the dean or other relevant academic administrator.

3. The reporting schedule will not call for more than one report a year and will be coordinated with the unit's self-study and accreditation schedules when possible.

4. Funding for special projects will be reviewed for approval by committee members.

REPORTING AND OVERSIGHT

1. The Assessment Committee will provide a written review of the assessment report to the academic unit and its dean or other academic administrator.

2. The Assessment Committee will report the results of its activities and the progress of program assessment annually to the University Senate.

APPENDIX I: CHARGE TO THE ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

1. To advise all academic units on the planning and implementation of assessment and to coordinate their assessment activities.

2. To prepare an overall University Assessment Plan that meets the requirements of the NCA and to consult with that Association, as appropriate, to ensure that the plan and its implementation continue to meet the Association standards.

3. To advise and cooperate with the General Education Committee in planning and carrying out assessment of the General Education Program of the University.

4. To advise the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, the University Senate, the UCUI, the Graduate Council, and the Assemblies of the organized Faculties of its findings on the assessment activities and their impact on maintaining and improving the quality of undergraduate and graduate curricula and instruction at the university.

APPENDIX II: GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR THE EVALUATION OF ASSESSMENT PLANS

1. Each assessment plan should include the following information:

A. The role, goals, and objectives of the program in the context of the OU mission.
B. The assessment methods and procedures that the program will employ to measure its success in meeting its goals, objectives, and learning outcomes.
C. The operational details for administering, reporting, and evaluating assessment results.
D. A structural plan for applying results to the development of curriculum and instruction and for measuring the success of curricular changes.

2. The Assessment Committee encourages innovation and flexibility in the design of assessment plans and will review preliminary drafts informally.

APPENDIX III: GENERAL EDUCATION ASSESSMENT

1. The General Education Committee is responsible for creating an assessment plan for general education