Revised Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Annual School Level Review Process (Fall 2006)

(Please confirm with the office of Research, Evaluation and Planning to include any subsequent revisions)

Introduction

Each department annually prepares a Student Learning Outcomes Assessment (SLOA) report. This report summarizes and analyzes: a) SLOA activity and methodology, and b) SLOA results. The section on activity and methodology reports the department’s annual progress on, and revisions to, its SLOA plan. The section on assessment results reports on what the department has discovered about student learning and how it has used or will use that knowledge to improve student learning.

The annual progress report is primarily a self-study used by the departments to ensure a rigorous and scholarly approach to evaluating student learning outcomes and the student learning experience. The progress report is an annual step in an ongoing process of planning for, acting on, and evaluating curriculum, pedagogy, and other factors that contribute to student learning. Secondarily, the annual progress report serves as an impetus for ongoing peer consultation and dialogue within the schools and across the college on student learning and outcomes assessment practices.

This document focuses on the school level review of the SLOA annual progress reports. Institutional Evaluation (IE) will prepare a status report on SLOA at Columbia at the end of each review cycle. In addition, Institutional Evaluation will develop a proposal for a structured college level dialogue about the SLOA process and outcomes.

The specific goal for annual school review of SLOA activity and methodology is:

a)  to conduct a collegial review and sharing of knowledge on student learning outcomes assessment practices with peers.

The goals for annual school review of SLOA results are:

a)  to fully integrate knowledge gained through assessment about student learning into curriculum planning and development

b)  to use knowledge about student learning to enrich inter-disciplinary discussion and collaboration on curriculum and pedagogy.

¥  The process for annual department progress reports are standard across the Schools.

ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT / The Director of Institutional Evaluation initiates this activity.
Reports are sent to the Dean and to the Director of Institutional Evaluation.
The department’s annual progress report is due by September 15th. / Annual progress reports include information on and analysis of SLOA methods, activity and results.
Assessment Coordinators write the report with input from department faculty.
Reports follow the Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: Annual Progress Report, page 47, Guide for Student Learning Outcomes Assessment.
Department Chairs submit the annual progress report to the Dean and Director of Institutional Evaluation.
The reports are used by the departments, Schools and the College as a tool for the ongoing improvement of student learning and assessment processes.
¥  The process for the annual review of SLOA methods and activity is standard across the Schools. The Director of Institutional Evaluation leads this process.

School of Fine and Performing Arts

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School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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School of Media Arts

ANNUAL REVIEW OF SLOA METHODS AND ACTIVITY / The Director of Institutional Evaluation initiates this review.
This review produces a short report that is sent to the Dean and the Assistant VP of Research and Evaluation.
The review report is due by November 15th. / Once a year, outcomes assessment coordinators in the school collectively review and critique the departments’ SLOA methodologies and implementation of each department’s SLOA activities.
The Reader’s Evaluation Rubric adopted in January 2005 guides these reviews.
The Director of Institutional Evaluation facilitates this review in collaboration with the Associate Dean.
The participants in this review produce a concise report for the Dean and the Assistant VP of Research and Evaluation.
Additionally, SFPA reviews the annual progress report of assessment methods and activities in the School Curriculum Committee. / Once a year, outcomes assessment coordinators in the school collectively review and critique the departments’ SLOA methodologies and implementation of each department’s SLOA activities.
The Reader’s Evaluation Rubric adopted in January 2005 guides these reviews.
The Director of Institutional Evaluation facilitates this review in collaboration with the Associate Dean.
The participants in this review produce a concise report for the Dean and the Assistant VP of Research and Evaluation.
Additionally, SLAS Dean conducts individual review of each department’s SLOA with Department Chair, Assessment Coordinator, and the Director of Institutional Evaluation. / Once a year, outcomes assessment coordinators in the school collectively review and critique the departments’ SLOA methodologies and implementation of each department’s SLOA activities.
The Reader’s Evaluation Rubric adopted in January 2005 guides these reviews.
The Director of Institutional Evaluation facilitates this review in collaboration with the Associate Dean.
The participants in this review produce a concise report for the Dean and the Assistant VP of Research and Evaluation.
¥  The Process for the annual review of SLOA results is determined by Deans following standard criteria. The Dean or Associate Dean leads this review.
The Schools are strongly encouraged to use SLOA annual progress reports as a resource for all discussions about curriculum, student learning and the student learning experience. At least once each year the Dean’s Office will convene a discussion on SLOA results in the context of evaluating and planning for curriculum and other factors that affect student learning such as advising, pedagogy and instructional resources. The Director of Institutional Evaluation will provide an optional discussion guide for the annual review of SLOA results.
Each School chooses its own venue for review of the SLOA results using the following criteria:
a)  the group represents all of the departments in the school;
b)  the group is not limited to SLOA Coordinators;
c)  ideally the group includes chairs, faculty and, where appropriate, academic staff; finally and most importantly;
d)  the composition of the group has links to the venues in the departments and the school that discuss and/or make decisions on curriculum and pedagogy.

School of Fine and Performing Arts

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School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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School of Media Arts

ANNUAL REVIEW OF SLOA RESULTS / The Dean or Associate Dean initiates this review.
This review produces a short report that is shared with the chairs and faculty of the school.
A copy of the report is sent to the Dean and the Assistant VP of Research and Evaluation.
The review report is due by May 1st. / This review focuses on: 1) SLOA results, both intended and unintended, and their implications for curriculum enhancement and other factors for improving student learning; 2) developing appropriate actions for integrating SLOA results into curriculum and pedagogy to improve student learning.
SFPA will use its Curriculum Committee as its venue for the annual review of the results of the SLOA. SFPA will use the SLOA outcomes in evaluating requests for program and other curricular changes. / This review focuses on: 1) SLOA results, both intended and unintended, and their implications for curriculum enhancement and other factors for improving student learning; 2) developing appropriate actions for integrating SLOA results into curriculum and pedagogy to improve student learning.
SLAS will convene an ad hoc committee of assessment coordinators and department chairs for the annual review of the SLOA results. / This review focuses on: 1) SLOA results, both intended and unintended, and their implications for curriculum enhancement and other factors for improving student learning; 2) developing appropriate actions for integrating SLOA results into curriculum and pedagogy to improve student learning.
SMA will convene assessment coordinators for an annual review of the SLOA results. The chairs will meet annually to review the SLOA results.

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Effective as of Fall 2006, Columbia College Chicago