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| What
does this position involve? |
The program coordinator develops a feasible and simple assessment plan for student
learning outcomes in consultation with faculty members. As the
plan is implementated, the coordinators ensure that the results are disseminated among faculty members and
used for program improvement. (See full description below.)
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| What
is an assessment plan? |
An assessment plan determines a
program's general goals and identifies specific student learning
outcomes by which to measure whether or not a program is achieving its
goals. It sets clear and measurable standards that allow faculty
and staff members to reflect on their students' achievements and
points toward areas where more attention is needed.
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| What
resources are available to program coordinators? |
There are several resources available to program
coordinators. First, the UVa
Assessment Guide (.pdf) will answer many questions regarding
the steps that need to be taken to develop and implement an outcome
assessment plan. Second, school
assessment coordinators have been appointed to help program
coordinators in their tasks. Finally, the IAS liaisons
can be reached for further questions.
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| What
is UVa's assessment model? |
UVa considers that:
•Assessments
should be useful, feasible, and minimize the burden on faculty
and students.
•Programs define their own most important outcomes.
•Methods should be kept as simple as possible and connected
to what faculty and students are already doing.
•The unit of analysis for learning outcomes assessment is
the program.
•Faculty involvement is essential to the success of assessment.
•Results may be used to guide program improvements.
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The Program Assessment Coordinator provides support as program faculty develop and implement
outcomes assessment plans, with a primary emphasis on the direct assessment
of student learning outcomes.
As the plan is implemented, a coordinator is
responsible for demonstrating that assessment results are being used for
program improvement, especially with respect to student learning.
The Program Assessment Coordinator’s central purpose
is to develop assessment plans that are both feasible and useful and that
concentrate on the program’s most important learning outcomes. The
coordinator’s assessment work can and should support the program’s
reaccreditation (if applicable) and Program Review processes.
The Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies (IAS)
and the School Assessment Coordinator will act as resources and provide
training for the Program Assessment Coordinator, if requested. Program faculty should
periodically review the plans and make changes when necessary, based on
experience and the program’s priorities. Implementing the plans
will be the responsibility of the individual programs. While the Program
Assessment Coordinator is responsible for implementing the plan, that
responsibility should be shared by other faculty in the program, including
the Department Chair. Convening a program assessment council/committee
to review plans and results and formulate needed actions is recommended
but not required.
The implementation of assessment plans will be reviewed
during the cyclical Program Review process (currently a 6-year cycle;
schedule) as well as at interim times. Assessment activity
should be ongoing and not episodic. The purpose is to conduct assessments
that are useful to the program. How often assessments need to be conducted
is determined by the program’s assessment plan. One possible scenario
would be to collect data over a semester or an academic year, and analyze
the results and determine what action is needed the following semester
or academic year.
IAS will support and advise Program Assessment Coordinators.
A starting point is IAS’ Assessment
Guide: Seven Steps To Developing and Implementing a Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Plan, or a printed copy can be ordered by phone (924-3417)
or email.
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This
section is devoted to helping school and program-level assessment coordinators.
Please visit often for updated information and resources. Contact
IAS with your suggestions.
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