MATRIX / PROGRAM OR SCHOOL
/ Assessment Coordinator for Program or School / Name: / Email: / Phone:
Program or School Mission Statement / The General Education Program at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is designed to provide an appreciation of the many fields of study that illuminate the human experience. The program develops in studentsessential foundational skills for professional success and transforms them into lifelong learners.
Program or School Goals / The goals of the GE program are to develop students who communicate effectively, apply basic mathematical principles, synthesize information and analyze it critically, apply appropriate methodology to a problem, recognize the implications of diversity in a global society and demonstrate an understanding of the human experience.
Learning Outcomes
What will students know and be able to do when they graduate? / Assessment Methods
How will the outcome be measured? Who will be assessed, when, and how often? / Standards of Comparison How well should students be able to do on the assessment? / Interpretation of Results What do the data show? / Use of Results/Action Plan
Who reviewed the finding? What changes were made after reviewing the results?
1. Students will be able to write clearly and effectively. / On a rotating six-year cycle, a committee of three composition faculty members will review a random sample of student writing from Comp II using a rubric accepted by the General Education Assessment Committee. / It is expected that 75% of the students will be competent and that 5% of these students will be proficient. / 48% of the essays assessed met the standard of “competent”. (This compares to 42.5% in the assessment conducted in spring 2009. / Review occurred with the Division of Communications and the Arts, Composition Program and GE Assessment Committee. Several changes to program are pending; however, none implemented as a new Director of Composition has been hired and will start fall 2010.
2. Students will demonstrate competency with practical computation. / On a rotating six-year cycle, a committee of three mathematics faculty memberswill collect a random sample of exams from a math competency course and assesses mathematical proficiency using a rubric accepted by the General Education Assessment Committee. / It is expected that 75% of the students will be competent and that 5% of these students will be proficient. / 79.2% of students tested were competent, 10.4% were proficient, and 10.4% were incompetent. Students scored highest in the areas of problem solving and quadratic equations. Students scored lowest in the areas of linear equations and graphing. / The findings were reviewed by the mathematics program director and math faculty and the General Education Assessment Committee. Based on the findings, no changes are recommended.
3. Students will locate, synthesize and critically analyze information. / On a rotating six-year cycle, the Academic Assessment Committee assesses a random sample of final work products from a random sample of capstone or UL writing courses using a rubric accepted by the Committee.
Additionally, the SAILS test administered by ULS will provide initial baseline data on students’ information literacy. / It is expected that 90% of the students will be competent and that 5% of these students will be proficient.
To be determined, based upon university data. / In progress: Spring term 2010
4. Students will be able to describe similarities and differences among people, cultures and/or societies. / On a rotating six-year cycle, the Academic Assessment Committee assesses a random sample of selected assignments from classes that address differences among people, cultures and/or societies; using a rubric accepted by the General Education Assessment Committee. Additionally, the General Education Assessment Committee may consider the use of the Intercultural Development Inventory. / It is expected that 75% of the students will be competent and that 5% of these students will be proficient. / Scheduled: Fall term 2010
5. Students will demonstrate competency in scientific reasoning. / On a rotating six-year cycle, a committee of science faculty will develop and imbed questions in a selected set of introductory science classes. The same committee will assess results, report to the General Education Assessment Committee, and make recommendations for modification of science classes fulfilling the general education requirement. / It is expected that 75% of the students will be competent and that 5% of these students will be proficient. / Scheduled: Fall term 2011
6. Students will be able to orally communicate clearly and effectively. / On a rotating six-year cycle, Freshman Seminar instructors will utilize a rubric (developed by the Academic Assessment Committee) when assessing final class presentations. The results will be reported to the General Education Assessment Committee. / It is expected that 75% of the students will be competent and that 5% of these students will be proficient. / Scheduled: Fall term 2012
The Assessment Matrix is based on the University of Virginia Assessment Matrix Template