Developing an Assessment Plan

3/17/2014 @ 2:35PM Brianna Moffitt

2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014

Outline
Learning Objectives Assessment - What? Why? Cycle for Continuous Improvement! Assessment Planning in 4 Steps

Review & Questions

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to

Determine pertinent information to collect for assessment. Develop an action plan for continuous improvement (Plan, Implement, Evaluate). Explain what it means to infuse our practice with assessment.

What is Assessment?
Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about [Insert your mission statement here] educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development.

Palomba, C., & Banta, T. W. (1999). Assessment Essentials: Planning, Implementing, and Improving Assessment in Higher Education. Adapted from (Marchese, 1987)

Why Do We Assess?
Determine Effectiveness Establish Accountability Enhance Efficiency Convey Impact

Source: Gall. M.D., Gall, J.P., Borg, W.R. (2010). Applying educational research: How to read, do, and use research to solve problems of practice (6th edition). Boston, MA: Pearson.

The point is to monitor progress towards intended goals in a spirit of continuous improvement!
(American Association for Higher Education, 1992, p. 2)

Cycle for Continuous Improvement

Implement

Plan

Evaluate

Supported by: Palomba, C., & Banta, T. W. (1999). Assessment Essentials: Planning, Implementing, and Improving Assessment in Higher Education.

Mapping
How do we use theory with assessment? Build From Theory (Deduction) Map To Theory (Induction) Theory & Practice

Plan
1. Collect 2. Create 3. Choose 4. Construct

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Collect
What questions will you ask to inform your research? What documentation will you gather to inform your research?
Sample Questions:
What relevant literature exists? What are our guiding documents? What are the educational trends related to our work/program? What best practices inform and guide our daily practice? Who are our collaborators? How can our relationships best support collaborative assessment? What are the expectations and needs of our stakeholders? How much will this project cost? What are other challenges we can anticipate?

Starting with Missions

Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about [Insert your mission statement here] educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development.

Palomba, C., & Banta, T. W. (1999). Assessment Essentials: Planning, Implementing, and Improving Assessment in Higher Education. Adapted from (Marchese, 1987)

Create
How will you create measurable objectives for your research? What will you measure? Attendance Learning Impact Attitudes Experiences
Prompting Questions :
What should participants be able to do as a result of your office? What should participants experience as a result of your office?

Choose
What tool(s) would best measure your defined objective?
Direct vs. Indirect Formative vs. Summative Qualitative / Quantitative Utilizing Triangulation

Examples
Needs Assessment Direct Observation External Data (IPEDS) Internal Data Participation Rates Document Analysis Surveys Tests & Quizzes Projects Performance Review Case Studies Interviews & Focus Groups Writing Samples

Construct
Youve done the work. Now, just let it roll!
General Tips: Be aware of biased wording.

Check for consistency throughout.

Dont go it alone: Collaboration. Collaboration. Collaboration. Pilot test your tool to ensure effectiveness.

Implement

Evaluate

Analyze & Reflect

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With whom will you share?

To whom will you brag?

Path to Continuous Improvement

Implement

Plan

Evaluate

Supported by: Palomba, C., & Banta, T. W. (1999). Assessment Essentials: Planning, Implementing, and Improving Assessment in Higher Education.

 |infyooz| verb [ with obj. ]

fill; pervade instill (a quality) in someone or something: he did his best to infuse good humor into his voice. soak (tea, herbs, etc.) in liquid to extract the flavor or healing properties: infuse the dried flowers in boiling water. [ no obj. ] (of tea, herbs, etc.) be soaked in this way: allow the mixture to infuse for 15 minutes.

Infuse

Assessment is everything

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to

Determine pertinent information to collect for assessment. Develop an action plan for continuous improvement (Plan, Implement, Evaluate). Explain what it means to infuse our practice with assessment.