LEC ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT PROCESSES

Purpose Statement For Academic Assessment At Lake Erie College

In support of the College's mission to empower students to "lead lives of personal significance and professional success as global citizens," academic program and co-curricular assessments serve to help us understand the efficacy of our learning environment and progress toward our program learning objectives. Lake Erie college views program-level assessment as a means of improving student learning at the course or program activity levels. In contrast, the program review process serves as the opportunity to consider broader changes such as resource allocations, one-time or ongoing investments, and other aspects of program operations.

While the assessment of student learning can serve many functions at Lake Erie College, the below points are the primary areas of importance:

  • Curricular development

  • Guiding improvements and investments

  • Informing changes in pedagogical strategies

  • Highlighting program strengths

  • Ensuring alignment with the College’s mission.

 The six steps of assessment at LEC are as follows:

  • Program mission development

  • Development of learning objectives

  • Curriculum or activity mapping

  • Creating assessment methods

  • Data and information gathering

  • Action strategies for improvement

For more information, please see: Brief Overview of Assessment at LEC 

INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES

Guided by our institutional mission and vision, the broad learning outcomes are intended to provide a framework for the collegiate experience at Lake Erie College and are attributes, skills, abilities and attitudes that students are expected to develop and obtain during their learning experience.

As a result of a Lake Erie College education, students will:

  • Understand the value and processes of self-discovery

  • Engage in the development of strong personal attributes

  • Practice and apply creative problem-solving skills

  • Achieve a balance of personal and professional goals in relation to the needs of others to include the local and global communities

  • Analyze complex information and reach conclusions backed by credible and fact-based evidence

  • Apply quantitative methods to analyze, interpret and solve problems from a wide array of practical and applied contexts

  • Communicate in a clear, inclusive, engaged and well-reasoned manner

  • Critically reflect upon works of creative expression and create and think with innovation and imagination

  • Employ a cultural awareness to engage effectively in a variety of intercultural contexts

As a result of a Lake Erie College graduate education, students will:

  • Develop content mastery, independent thought in subjects of increased complexity and critical understanding of research

  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, about theories, arguments, methods and concepts related to the specific area of study

  • Demonstrate proficiency in the professional skills needed to participate in the intellectual and organizational aspects of chosen career field

ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT

For general purposes, the college uses the definition of assessment as found in the book "Assessment Clear and Simple: A Practical Guide for Institutions, Departments, and General Education" by Barbara E. Walvoord:

"Assessment is the systematic collection of information about student learning, using the time, knowledge, expertise and resources available, in order to inform decisions that affect student learning."

Learning outcomes assessment is conducted by the faculty and guided by individual school planning, regional and national discipline-specific standards, criteria for accreditation (both regional and programmatic) and institutional goals and priorities. As a collaborative effort, the Educational Policy and Planning Committee (EPP), Deans, faculty and the Chief Academic Officer coordinate to support tracking and reporting mechanisms and identify and offer assessment training and professional development opportunities. Each school's dean provides oversight of program-level assessment activities in coordination with the assessment liaisons, Chief Academic Officer, and other college personnel. The Assessment Liaison Committee consists of at least one liaison from each of the schools. It is charged with the following: dissemination of assessment planning updates (institutional or school), identification of assessment training needs and working with the deans to coordinate the collection of annual program-level assessment reports.

ASSESSMENT LIAISON COMMITTEE MEMBERS

PROGRAM LEVEL ASSESSMENT PLANS / PROGRAM REVIEW

Program Level Assessment Plan

 Program Level Assessment Plan Review and Submission Timelines 

Curriculum Map Template

Program Level Assessment Plan Rubric 

Program Review Template

Program Review Timeline and Cycle

Program Review Summative Rubric

External Review Process for Academic Programs

CO-CURRICULAR ASSESSMENT

Academic Affairs Co-Curricular Assessment Cycle

Co-Curricular Assessment Template 

CORE (General Education) ASSESSMENT

CORE Assessment Guide, Process and Cycle

ASSESSMENT RESOURCES

Common Resource: While there are many outstanding resources, at present, Lake Erie College uses Assessment Clear and Simple: A Practical Guide for Institutions, Departments, and General Education by Barbara E. Woolvard as a common reader. Faculty and staff may send an email one of the committee members to receive a book at no cost.

Assessment Professional Development Online Modules: The National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment has made available a series of online modules developed as a result of the grant-funded Learning Outcomes Resource Consortium. The modules may be found a the below link:

Supplemental Assessment Resources: Below is a list of books that are available in the Lincoln Library.

  • Banta, Trudy W. and Catherine A. Palomba.. Assessment Essentials: Planning, Implementing and Improving Assessment in Higher Education.

  • Jossey-Bass, 2014.Bresciani, Marilee J. Ludvik. Outcomes-Based Academic and Co-Curricular Program Review. Stylus Publishing, 2006.

  • Light, T. P., Chen H.L, & Ittelson J.C. Documenting Learning with ePortfolios: A Guide for College Instructors.

  • Jossey-Bass, 2011. Middaugh, Michael F. Planning and Assessment in Higher Education: Demonstrating Institutional Effectiveness.

  • Jossey-Bass, 2009.Walvoord, Barbara E. Assessment Clear and Simple: A Practical Guide for Institutions, Departments and General Education. Jossey-Bass, 2010.

As always, please contact the provost or your assessment committee representative if you need any assistance, have feedback, or would like to learn more about other resources. More specific professional development resources for assessment may also be found in LEO at the Faculty Resource Central (FRC) tab.