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 Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee Minutes

October 23, 2006

10:00 a.m.
Bridges Hall 250B

Present: Tim Borchers, chair; Ted Gracyk, Jody Mattern, Amy Phillips, Peggy Rittenhouse, Stacy Voeller

Absent: Alison Wallace

Minutes: Moved by Gracyk, seconded by Voeller to approve the September 11, 2006 minutes. The motion was approved unanimously.

Graduate Programs’ Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): Borchers noted that per a request from the NCA Steering Committee the Graduate Studies Bulletin list each program’s SLOs. A side-by-side comparison of the SLOs from approved assessment plans and those submitted to the Graduate Studies Office as Bulletin copy were reviewed. Phillips moved. Rittenhouse seconded to approve the SLOs as submitted to the Graduate Studies Office with the following suggestions. Borchers agreed to contact the Graduate Studies Office and each program, if necessary. The motion was approved unanimously.

  • Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: Remind the program coordinator of SLOAC’s suggestion from the April 10, 2006 minutes that the SLOs should be more specific.
  • Master of Liberal Arts / Master of Liberal Arts Hispanic Studies Emphasis: Need SLOs – two sets.
  • Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction: Request clarification of missing SLO between the comparisons.
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Clarify verb inconsistency.
  • Master of Science in Public Human Service and Health Administration: Suggest using action verbs.

Philosophy Plan:

  • Suggest consistency in language, use either “routinely” or “regularly.”

Health Services Administration Plan:

  • Suggest spelling errors be corrected;
  • Missing the Senior Assessment Instrument for SLO # 1;
  • Missing the assessment rubric for SLO # 2;
  • Clarify the level of expected student performance on SLO # 4. Does a student need to get 70 percent or better to pass, or is it 70 percent of those who take the test will pass on the first attempt.

MS in Curriculum & Instruction Report:

  • Report should be submitted on the new forms;
  • Missing assessment rubrics;
  • Does not address how the program will use the assessment for program improvement;
  • Do not include effectiveness comments from student evaluations of the program

Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences Plan (MS):

  • Last two SLOs address satisfaction and should not be included;
  • Missing Clinical Competencies Rating Form
  • Not clear if using two separate rubrics for the graduate research project/thesis or the oral examination;
  • Suggest consistency in language – Oral Presentation or Oral Examination

Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences Plan (BS):

  • Suggest reducing from a 1-10 scale to a 1-3 scale;
  • Missing Clinical Competencies Rating Form;
  • Expectations of performance levels are not specific to the outcome or measure, or clearly stated;
  • A GPA requirement for enrollment in the senior seminar is required, but not mention of an assessment measure for the course;
  • List the specific course(s) instead of using the phrase “throughout the curriculum.”

Overall the department has an extensive assessment plan. Is it required for accreditation?

Economics Report:

  • Need to define the rating scale with specific identifiers;
  • Results are stated, but it is unclear what the results mean;
  • Program does not address how the assessment results will be used to improve student learning;
  • Suggest department request an Instructional Improvement Grant to develop a meaningful rubric for the term paper and the Student Academic Conference presentation.

Instructional Improvement Grants: Gracyk moved. Voeller seconded to change the deadline for submission of Instructional Improvement Grants from October 31 to the last business day in January. This will allow time for departments/programs to prepare a grant request based on SLOAC feedback on the assessment report due on October 31. The motion passed unanimously.

SLOAC Chair: In light of the fact that committee appointments will soon be solicited Gracyk asked for clarification on who would be chairing SLOAC next academic year. Discussion ensued on the need for consistency in the leadership of SLOAC. Borchers agreed to report back at the next meeting.

Next Meeting: November 13, 2006 - Phillips will report on the Social Work Instructional Improvement Grant.

The meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.


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