OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT MEASUREMENT TOOLS
The Westcliff University Academic Leadership Team consisting of Deans, Program Chairs, Faculty, and administration, as well as the Assessment Coordinator, Institutional Research department, and Faculty Senate Performance Assessment Committee, review the overall programs and individual courses in conjunction with specific assessment tools/measurements to determine whether or not outcomes are being achieved and, if not, how the programs, courses, and methodologies can be subsequently improved. Westcliff University has established several educational goals and objectives that are aligned with its mission. The need for a more comprehensive assessment strategy required the use of two measurement tools to determine program and course effectiveness. At Westcliff University, two different types of measurement tools, direct and indirect are utilized for measurement of outcomes assessment.
The direct and indirect outcomes measurement tools areas are used to assess the following areas:
- Student Achievement
- Student Satisfaction
- Completion/Graduation Rates
DIRECT MEASUREMENT TOOLS
The following direct outcomes assessment measures are utilized by Westcliff University’s administration and faculty to measure student performance:
- Professional Assignments (PAs)
- Comprehensive Learning Assessment #1 (CLA 1)
- Comprehensive Learning Assessment #2 (CLA 2)
- Quizzes
- Projects
- Presentations
- Discussion Questions and Responses
- Mid-Course Evaluations
- End-of-Course Evaluations
These direct measurement tools are used on a continual basis. Periodic reviews by the Academic Leadership Committee, Assessment Coordinator, and Performance Assessment Committee, are performed. During the review process, student performance is assessed to determine if educational learning outcomes have been met. To assist and facilitate assessment, Westcliff University has developed Comprehensive Learning Assessments (CLA’s) and Professional Assignments (PA’s) that are embedded in the curriculum. The CLA’s and PA’s are linked to course learning outcomes and serves as a direct measurement of student achievement.
Professional Assignments and Comprehensive Learning Assessments
In the curriculum for each course, both PAs and CLAs measure student performance as they move through their respective programs. The PAs are typically case study/theoretical-based assignments with emphasis on comprehension and an introduction to application concepts. CLAs are more comprehensive in rigor and ask students to perform analysis, synthesis, and application. CLAs measure student achievement of learning outcomes in a way that goes beyond rote memorization and gauges a more in-depth understanding and mastery of course content. CLAs include assignments such as case study analyses, research papers, and/or student presentations. Comprehensive Learning Assessments (CLAs) are typically more detailed case studies and require additional research on the part of the student; two CLAs are assigned per class and together reflect the assessment of all learning outcomes for the course. CLA 1 focuses on assessing course foundations and the student’s ability to define and understand its main concepts. CLA 2 measures the student’s competency and mastery of the course concepts, particularly the application of those concepts.
Rubrics
There are various types of grading rubrics used to assess different types of course assignments. Specific rubrics are embedded in each course syllabus and allow for an objective interpretation of student work and provide consistency in student grading as well as directed feedback to the student.
Grading rubrics consist of:
| College of Business | College of Education |
| Participation rubric
Discussion Question rubric PA rubric CLA rubric Presentation rubric |
Participation rubric
Discussion Question rubric Presentation rubric (Theoretical and Teaching Demo) Lesson Plan rubric Research/Reflective Paper rubric Annotated Bibliography rubric Teaching Materials Development rubric Portfolio rubric |
Learning outcomes rubrics consist of:
| College of Business | College of Education |
| BBA
ILO 1 Written Communication ILO 2 Oral Communication ILO 3 Interpersonal Skills ILO 4 Critical Thinking ILO 5 Ethics ILO 6 Information Literacy ILO 7 Quantitative Reasoning
PLO 2 Written Communication PLO 3 Oral Communication PLO 4 Information Literacy PLO 6 Critical Thinking PLO 7 Ethics
MBA ILO 1 Written Communication ILO 2 Oral Communication ILO 3 Interpersonal Skills ILO 4 Critical Thinking ILO 5 Ethics ILO 6 Information Literacy ILO 7 Quantitative Reasoning
PLO 2 Written Communication PLO 3 Oral Communication PLO 6 Critical Thinking PLO 7 Ethics PLO 8 Information Literacy
DBA ILO 1 Written Communication ILO 2 Oral Communication ILO 3 Interpersonal Skills ILO 4 Critical Thinking ILO 5 Ethics ILO 6 Information Literacy ILO 7 Quantitative Reasoning
PLO 1 Written Communication PLO 5 Critical Thinking PLO 7 Ethics PLO 8 Information Literacy
|
BAEd
ILO 1 Written Communication ILO 2 Oral Communication ILO 3 Interpersonal Skills ILO 4 Critical Thinking ILO 5 Ethics ILO 6 Information Literacy ILO 7 Quantitative Reasoning
PLO rubrics currently being developed MA TESOL ILO 1 Written Communication ILO 2 Oral Communication ILO 3 Interpersonal Skills ILO 4 Critical Thinking ILO 5 Ethics ILO 6 Information Literacy ILO 7 Quantitative Reasoning
PLO 1 Principles PLO 2.1 Written Communication PLO 2.2 Oral Communication PLO 3 Pedagogy PLO 4 Theories PLO 5 Interpersonal Skills PLO 6 Ethics PLO 7 Technology PLO 8 Quantitative Reasoning PLO 9 Information Literacy PLO 10 Critical Thinking |