Assessment
Assessment at Southeastern is an on-going, continuous quality improvement effort that has become a part of the institutional culture. The assessment cycle is tied to budgeting and strategic planning so that these three vital elements work in tandem to keep the institution focused on accomplishing its mission in every aspect of its operation. The process is led by the “A-Team”, a group of five faculty members and academic administrators. Southeastern’s assessment process has been working well for a number of years, and was described by the Higher Learning Commission’s peer review team in 2008 as “exemplary”.
This document describes the assessment process.
Annual Assessment Activity Report
Annual assessment reports will give a review of the assessment activities and progress that occurred during the specified academic year.
Assessment Mission
Southeastern's assessment committee is a major part of the institutional process and serves as regulatory and review committee whose responsibilities include the assurance that all aspects of the college are routinely and accurately assessed and evaluated. It also makes sure that the information, results, and data from the assessment processes are adequately disseminated and used for program and/or service improvement. The committee is a key one within the institution and is comprised of membership representing all areas of the college: Students, administration, professional staff, paraprofessional staff, academic faculty, student affairs staff, and support services.
The Assessment Committee is led by the "A Team", which is chaired by a faculty member (Cory Garmane), the Executive Dean of Academic Services (Dr. Tyler Billman), a Math/Science faculty member/Division Chair (Jason Fitzgerald), and a Applied Technology faculty member/Division Chair (Robbie Lindhorst). The Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs (Dr. Karen Weiss) serves as an advisor for the "A Team". This group provides direction and leadership for the committee, keeping the assessment process on track and ensuring quality.
Assessment Committee Membership
The assessment committee is a College-wide committee charged with the mission of reviewing the status of assessment procedures and making recommendations related to assessment of student learning. Each functional area designates a faculty or staff member as an assessment liaison. This liaison is responsible for:
- Attending all Assessment Committee Meetings, arranging substitute as necessary
- Helping to implement assessment activities
- Communicating with each division/department on a regular basis at departmental/division meetings
- Remaining current and knowledgeable regarding assessment issues and communicating that knowledge to the respective division/department
- Reviewing assessment plans and results and providing constructive feedback to divisions/departments
- Providing accurate information regarding your division/departments evidence of use of assessment results
Plans, Results, and Reviews
Internet Resources
Looking for innovative ideas? The following links contain valuable information to assist you with the assessment process.
- Course Based Review and Assessment
- Internet Resources for Higher Education Outcome Assessment
- Various Assessment Resources
- Self Assessment Resources
- More Classroom Assessment Techniques
Online information and resources for detecting plagiarism and cheating on the web are the following:
Terms and FAQ's
It is important to us to keep students informed about assessment issues at Southeastern. We have provided the following guide to update students on matters related to assessment activities. If you have additional questions, please contact an Assessment Committee member. For contact information, see the assessment home page.
Assessment is like an ongoing report card that involves everyone. It is our yardstick. It requires everyone to ask honest questions about performance and outcomes. This could take many shapes: Tests, questionnaires, surveys, discussions, reports, and portfolios. Southeastern's students, instructors, staff, and administrators can use the results of these instruments to make informed, educational decisions? (Laura Sigler, 2002). Assessment is a means of insuring the quality and integrity of educational programs.
Assessment is a way to insure that students are mastering critical core content. Has the student learned what it takes to be successful?
Assessment is not about grades. It is about measurement of core content.
The critical information obtained from assessment provides opportunities for students to give and receive feedback on their learning experiences before receiving a grade.
Pre-post tests, portfolios, journals, writing assignments, instructor-designed feedback forms, directed paraphrasing, e-mail feedback, Comprehensive Assessment Profile Exams, skills checklists, etc.
A method of determining what, how much, and how well students are learning. Have you learned what you need to know
EVERYONE - faculty, staff, administrators, students, community members.
The term assessment refers to the systematic gathering of information about component parts of the thing to be evaluated. The evaluation process is broader than assessment and involves examining information about many components of the thing being evaluated and making judgments about its worth or effectiveness.
Every degree has a general education component, such as English, Psychology, or Math. Each degree focuses on a specific subject. General education assessment involves examining all areas to determine if the general education content is integrated. For example, does the student use skills obtained from the English course to achieve success in Psychology?
A periodic peer evaluation of the effectiveness of an educational degree or certificate program. How well will the student do upon transfer to a university setting or entrance into the workforce?
Each department/division examines the effectiveness of the focus of its stated outcomes to determine ways in which it can most effectively serve the student population. This might be accomplished by the completion of a student satisfaction survey.
Accreditation means that you meet certain standards that demonstrate quality. It is similar to a "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval".
Assessment is the process that documents how well we are doing our job. A portion of the accreditation process is related to assessment.
The association is one of six regional institutional accrediting associations in the United States. It offers guidelines to assist faculty and staff in assessment so that we can provide our students with excellence in both, education and services. The association was founded in 1895 as a membership organization for educational institutions. It is committed to developing and maintaining high standards of excellence.
The website address for more information about this agency is: http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/You may also contact any Assessment Committee Member. Contact information is provided on the assessment website. There are also other resources listed on this page.