Assessment of Student Learning

AN INSTITUTION-WIDE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Formal definition of Assessment
Assessment of student learning is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning.  Thus, assessment reflects an understanding of learning as multidimensional, integrated, and revealed over time.

In other words……
How do we know that we know that they (students) know what they are supposed to be learning?

Importance of Assessment of Student Learning:
NJC was last granted accreditation by North Central Association -- Higher Learning Commission in 1998 with a focused visit scheduled for 2001-02 examining assessment of student learning.

As a result of that focus visit, a monitoring report was prepared December 2004 to ensure progress toward implementing the assessment plan for student academic achievement.  The monitoring report was approved by HLC in early 2006.

NJC is currently preparing for our re-accreditation visit in 2008-09, beginning with the self-study process to determine if we are meeting the needs of our students and constituents.

Ultimately, accreditation stands as Northeastern Junior College’s most visible symbol of achieving and maintaining our goal of excellence in education!

The Underlying Principles
Assessment is a central element in the overall quality of teaching and learning in higher education.  It provides the administration and faculty of educational institutions opportunities to monitor the attainment of learning outcomes and to receive feedback for ongoing improvement of academic programs.  The overall goal of assessment is to improve student learning.

The following underlying principles of assessment of student learning are widely accepted:

1. Faculty should have primary responsibility for the development, implementation, and maintenance of assessment activities.
2. Programs need to have visible, clearly stated purposes.  Defined learning outcomes are essential.
3. Statements of intended student learning outcomes should originate with the faculty in those areas.
4. The work of students gathered for assessment purposes should remain confidential and be used only for the purposes of assessment (unless explicit permission is granted by the student).
5. Assessment of student learning is about improving learning, not about evaluating faculty.
6. Assessment is systematic, ongoing, and cyclical.
7. Assessment should be logical, attainable, and consistent with the institution’s mission.

Assessment of Student Learning
The goal of assessment of student learning at Northeastern Junior College is to improve student learning and thus help the college fulfill its educational mission.  Assessment provides evidence of how well NJC is meeting its objectives and helps identify areas for improvement.

Assessment of student learning at NJC is coordinated by the Assessment Steering Committee.  To facilitate assessment in programs and disciplines, the Assessment Committee has been working toward devising a process whereby each program designs and implements an assessment plan each year, analyzes and discusses the data collected, and uses the results to devise action plans aimed at improving student learning.
    
Assessment at the Institutional Level

Through their course of study at Northeastern Junior College, students develop competence in four skills faculty has identified as the foundation of education.  Students who graduate from NJC will demonstrate proficiency in the following core competencies:

Communication

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to read, write, and speak effectively.

Upon completion of their course of studies, students will be able to effectively express and exchange thoughts, opinions and information both orally and in writing.  The successful student will be able to:

• Construct effective written and oral communications using content, organization and delivery techniques that convey accurate, concise and complete information appropriate to topic, audience, occasion and purpose.
• Create written communications using grammar, sentence structure, mechanics, spelling skills and content appropriate to defined standards or criteria.
• Adapt listening behaviors to provide accommodation to the listening situation and offer appropriate and effective feedback.

Critical Thinking

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to interpret, evaluate, and analyze and
synthesize information.

Upon completion of their course of studies, students will be able to examine and utilize reasoning strategies in order to select, apply and evaluate evidence in multiple disciplines.  Students will be able to reason and draw logical conclusions from numerical information.  The successful student will be able to:

• Illustrate basic mathematical functions, i.e. addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; estimate and judge the reasonableness of numerical results, and think proportionally, and analyze statistically.  
• Interpret and apply data in various forms, e.g. charts, graphs.
• Formulate solutions to problems by separating information into component parts, determining the relevancy of data, evaluating facts and inferences and recognizing logical fallacies in reasoning.
• Evaluate alternative viewpoints, arguments and belief systems.
• Gather and assess relevant information after generating vital questions and problems.

Technology

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to use technology to achieve educational objectives.

Upon completion of their course of studies, students will be able to make use of various technology-based applications.  The successful student will be able to:

• Investigate and use technology to access information and to assess its reliability.
• Construct completed work that demonstrates competency in the operation of applicable equipment and software in various programs of study.
• Utilize technology to complete various tasks applicable to lifelong skills of communication and critical thinking, thriving in a global community.

Ethics / Diversity / Globalization

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to analyze and accept responsibility for personal behaviors
and interactions; graduates will possess the ability to reflect on individual and societal ethical standards and values. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to honor diversity.
Graduates will recognize the value of their individual roles in the increasing globalization of their world. 

Upon completion of their course of studies, students will be able to identify characteristics of ethical behavior and define qualities that signify the integrity of a project, person, or society. Students will be able to recognize and respect the importance of diversity and working cooperatively on situations and issues that affect all communities and individuals in a changing world. The successful student will be able to:

• Analyze and accept responsibility for personal behaviors and interactions that reflect individual and/or societal ethical standards and values. 
• Analyze the divergent views of others and interpret behaviors without making stereotypical or prejudicial judgments
• Determine appropriate ways to work respectfully in both leadership and team roles with people of various capabilities and orientations.
• Appreciate the integrity and uniqueness of interactions among diverse social and cultural groups.

Assessment measures how well students are learning and developing these important skills.  Assessment allows us to strive for continuous improvement of education and to communicate with students, employers, and other stakeholders about how well learning is taking place at NJC.