Student Learning Assessment Goals

For the 2008-2009 academic year and beyond, the Office of Planning & Assessment has established the following goals:

1) Continue to support academic departments in the development of programmatic learning goals, assessment plans, and periodic assessment reports.

Rationale: Working with departments and programs in the development of assessment materials will ensure that learning outcomes are measurable and that a schedule for assessment is established for each discipline.

2) Develop strategies that foster a culture of assessment.

Rationale: By providing support and communicating the value of assessment at all levels of faculty and administration at FSU, the process of assessment will become ingrained in what we do.

3) Promote assessment of Basic Skills of General Education.

Rationale: The assessment of basic skills of general education is necessary for three reasons: (1) to improve students’ learning, (2) to adhere to institutional accreditation requirements, and (3) to provide data to the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

4) Establish a collaborative relationship between the Student Learning Assessment Advisory Group and the CLAS Assessment Council.

Rationale: Collaboration will ensure that FSU faculty have the information and support needed to move forward with assessment initiatives.

5) Develop operational framework for actual implementation of assessment efforts throughout all Colleges.

Rationale: The implementation of a comprehensive, campus-wide assessment program has very real resource implications.

6) Identify a central repository for assessment data.

Rationale: A central office will facilitate review, analysis, and publication of assessment material. This will also be integral for auditing purposes and cooperation with external agencies.

7) Continue participation in the Voluntary System of Accountability (VSA) Program, to include posting FSU information on the VSA College Portrait.

Rationale: The VSA program will address the public’s demands for openness, transparency, and consistency within higher education.