Point Loma Nazarene University
Annual Assessment Report
Filing Guidelines
2004

Assessment Planning & Process

Plan: The Nichols Five Column Model

Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose

Program Intended Educational Outcomes

Means of Program Assessment and Criteria for Success

Summary of Data Collected

Use of Results

 

Annual Assessment Activities

1. August Workshop: Review results of assessment activities from prior year
2. September: Use results of assessment activities to propose program improvements
3. October: Review means of assessment (tools of measurement) for assessment plans for all programs and revise assessment plans accordingly
4. March-May: Conduct assessment activities (collect data)
5. June 1 (pending analysis of data): File annual assessment report

 

Annual Report

The annual report consists of a summary page in the five-column Nichols model format, with attachments containing the tools (survey instruments as appropriate), raw data (summary form), and evidence supporting the summary and conclusions. The summary page includes content that clearly explains all elements of the five-column model:

• Column 1: Program Mission (link to institutional mission)
• Column 2: Intended Educational Outcomes (student learning outcomes)
• Column 3: Means of Assessment & Criteria for Success (how you know students are learning, and to what degree you have been successful)
• Column 4: Summary of Data Collected (interpret data and analyze what you have learned at the program level)
• Column 5: Use of Results (howl you will improve your program)

 

Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC)

Expectations for Assessment

1. Student learning outcomes are identified, publicized and assessed at all levels: general education, majors, co-curricular, and broadly (broad university-wide educational outcomes)
2. Individual faculty members are involved in student learning assessment planning
3. Assessment is conducted in a systematic, continuous cycle, for the purpose of improving student learning
4. The assessment plan or system is reviewed and evaluated periodically for the purpose of improving the assessment system

Point Loma Nazarene University Re-accreditation Cycle

2005: Preparatory Review (capacity audit)
2006: Effectiveness Review (educational effectiveness audit)

 

Future Issues & Direction at Point Loma Nazarene University

• Where are learning goals published for each of your programs?
• How do courses feed into broad program objectives?
• How are you doing on progress toward goals over time (tracking data over time and interpreting trends)?
• What are other schools doing with respect to learning outcomes and assessment planning, and how do we compare to them (benchmarking)?