Murray State University

Assessment Handbook

August 2003

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Table of Contents

	Page
Introduction	…………………………………………...3
Purpose and Philosophy	…………………………………………....4
Academic Program Outcomes Assessment Goals	……………………………….5
Administrative/Educational Support Programs Assessment Goals	…………..….6
Outcomes Assessment Procedures	……………………………………….7
Explanation of Grid Columns	…………………………………………8
Academic Program Outcomes Assessment Grid	…………………………8
Administrative/Educational Support Programs Assessment Grid	………..9
Academic Program Outcomes Assessment Template	…………………………..10
Administrative/Educational Support Program Assessment Template	……….….10
"Closing the Loop" Flow Chart	………………………………………10

 

Introduction

At Murray State University, the initiative on program outcomes assessment was started in 1996 under the leadership of Marian Posey. The purpose of outcomes assessment is to implement a systematic program evaluation for a continuous, ongoing effort to strengthen and improve instruction, academic programs, learning opportunities, and the overall effectiveness of the learning environment. The university-wide process was also begun to put the university on track for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation review in 2004.

In the fall of 2000, the late Dr. Sandra Flynn was appointed MSU's SACS Liaison and took over the coordination of the outcomes assessment initiative. In December of 2000, new guidelines for accreditation were adopted by the SACS Commission on Colleges. Under the new Principles for Accreditation, the focus is now based more on outcomes than on input.

For use as a resource for faculty and staff engaged in assessment activities, this Assessment Handbook provides instruction on the purpose and philosophy, the goals and procedures, and an explanation of the common standards and specifications of the outcomes assessment process at Murray State University. Also provided are blank templates of academic and administrative/support program assessments as well as examples of each.

 

Purpose and Philosophy

The overall purpose of the outcomes assessment process at Murray State University is to improve learning outcomes and student achievement. Based on the university's mission and the Characteristics of the Murray State University Graduate, outcomes identify what students should know and be able to do. Using key indicators and measures of student performance, assessments are used to get a better picture of program strengths and weaknesses. Assessments are integral in the ongoing effort to strengthen and improve instruction, academic programs, learning opportunities, student services, and the total learning environment.

 

Academic Program Outcomes Assessment Goals

Students at Murray State University choose to study a discipline and to prepare for a career in one of our academic programs/majors. The outcomes, what MSU students should know and be able to do, are guided by the following:

I. Development of the characteristics of the Murray State University graduate
II. Development of the knowledge and skills required of the academic discipline/program.

The Academic Program Outcomes Assessment document should reflect:

• what the student should know and be able to do,
• how this knowledge and skill will be measured/assessed,
• the results of the assessment, and
• how the program is improved based on the results of the assessment.

As a result of the preparation and refinement of the Academic Program Outcomes Assessment, the faculty responsible for delivery of the program will collaborate and hold a dialogue about the program. It is the intent of this process that the faculty will collaboratively develop and improve the program through a holistic assessment of student outcomes.

 

Administrative/Educational Support Programs Assessment Goals

The administrative and educational support services of the university are an integral part of students developing the characteristics of a Murray State University graduate as well as the knowledge and skills required in an academic discipline/program. Each support service enhances the learning environment and fulfills a unique role in student development.

The goals of the Administrative/Educational Support Services Program Outcomes Assessment are to identify the following:

• Mission of the unit
• Expected outcomes/goals of the unit to accomplish mission
• How the Characteristics of the MSU Graduate are addressed/assessed
• How the accomplishments of the unit are measured/assessed,
• Results of the assessment
• How the assessment is used to improve administrative and support services based on assessment results

As a result of the preparation and refinement of the Administrative/Educational Support Services Program Outcomes Assessment, university personnel responsible for delivery of the program will collaborate and hold a dialogue about the program. It is the intent of this process that members of the support services unit will collaboratively develop and improve the program through a holistic assessment of outcomes.

 

Procedures

• Under the direction of the Office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, college deans, department chairs, program coordinators, and unit directors have the responsibility to review the previous year's outcomes assessment, update the assessment plan with recent data, and add any additional objectives relevant to the university's mission.
• Each program identified in the MSU Undergraduate Bulletin and the MSU Graduate Bulletin and all administrative/educational support services and units, campus-wide, will perform a Program Outcomes Assessment each year.
• Outcomes assessments are based on the academic school year and are due in the provost's office each January.
• Assessments are to be completed on the standard assessment forms, provided on the MSU SACS Website. Please note on the form, the academic school year assessed and the date submitted.
• For reference purposes, previous years' assessments, beginning with the 1998-1999 outcomes assessments, have been bound and are located in the provost's office, 333 Wells Hall.

Explanation of Grid Columns

Academic Program Outcomes Assessments Template

Outcomes identified should be objective, reasonable, measurable, and understandable.

• Characteristics of the MSU Graduate Incorporating the Characteristics into specific program goals, explain the mission and goals statement of the academic program.
• Expected Outcomes
  1. Must be stated in terms of what students should know or will be able to do.
  2. Should be linked to the Characteristics.
  3. Should include at least 3 to 5 objectives.
  4. Must be measurable and observable.
  5. Should focus on more than one type of outcome (e.g. knowledge, skills, satisfaction, jobs, graduate/professional school admissions, etc).
  6. Should be outcomes that the department really cares about.
• Assessment Measures and Standards/Key Performance Indicators
  1. Must be appropriate for the objectives.
  2. Must include standards for achievement on the measurement/standard (e.g. 75% of our graduates will achieve…).
  3. Must include a capstone experience.
  4. May include more than one means of measuring some outcomes
  5. Must be capable of providing useable information.
• Assessment Results/Data
  1. Must clearly report results of measurements/assessments.
• Use of Results for Program Improvement
  1. Must describe program changes and/or decisions based on results.
  2. Should indicate how changes will be assessed in the future.

Administrative/Educational Support Program Outcomes Assessments Template

• Mission of the Unit/Sub-Unit
  1. The mission of the unit must be clearly stated and related to the mission of the university and the characteristics of the MSU graduate.
• Expected Outcomes
  1. Objectives must be clearly tied to the mission of the unit. (When appropriate, indicate the Characteristic related to each objective.)
  2. Objectives must be measurable/observable.
  3. Should include 3 to 5 objectives
  4. Objectives should be issues and questions the department really cares about.
• Assessment Measures and Standards/Key Performance Indicators
  1. Types of measurements must be appropriate for the objectives.
  2. Standards for achieving a measurement should be included (e.g. 75% of our graduates will achieve…).
  3. For many outcomes it may be desirable to have more than one means of measurement or assessment.
  4. The assessment measurement must be capable of providing useable information.
• Assessment Results/Data
  1. Must clearly report results of measurements/assessment.
• Use of Results for Program Improvement
  1. Must describe program changes and/or decisions based on results
  2. Should indicate how changes will be assessed in the future.

Academic Program Outcomes Assessment Template

Administrative/Educational Support Services Outcomes Assessment Template

Closing the Loop