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Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 1 1 AGENTS OF CHANGE: EXAMINING THE ROLE OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 2 AND ASSESSMENT COORDINATORS IN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES 3 The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges 4 5 Janet Fulks, Bakersfield College, Chair Ad Hoc Accreditation and Student 6 Learning Outcomes Committee 2007-08 7 Angela Caballero de Cordero, Allan Hancock College 8 Marcy Alancraig, Cabrillo College 9 Kenneth Bearden, Butte College 10 Marybeth Buechner, Cosumnes River College 11 Scott Lee, Antelope Valley College 12 Robert Pacheco, Barstow College 13 Janice Tomson, Long Beach City College 14 Gary Williams, Crafton Hills College 15 Greg Gilbert, Copper Mountain College, Past Chair Ad Hoc Accreditation and 16 Student Learning Outcomes Committee 2006-07 17 18 Table of Contents 19 Abstract ................................................................................................................................. 2 20 Intoduction ................................................................................................................................. 3 21 Literature Review............................................................................................................................ 3 22 Background ................................................................................................................................. 6 23 Present Status of SLO Coordinators ............................................................................................... 8 24 Table 1: How long have you been SLO Coordinator/ Chair .......................................................... 8 25 Table 2- How many years does your role as SLO Coordinator last?.............................................. 9 26 Table 3 – How were you appointed to the position of SLO coordinator? .................................... 10 27 What Do Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators Actually Do? ................... 10 28 Table 4 – Various Models of Organizing the SLO responsibilities .............................................. 11 29 Criteria for the Position of SLO Coordinator ............................................................................... 11 30 Table 5 – Designing and Defining SLO Coordinator Responsibilities......................................... 12 31 How Are Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators Compensated? ................. 13 32 Table 6 – How much reassigned time does your SLO position provide? ..................................... 12 33 Table 7 – Colleges Reporting Multiple Reassigned SLO and Assessment Coordinators ............ 22 34 Training for SLO Coordinators ..................................................................................................... 14 35 Table 8 - Training Opportunities .................................................................................................. 15 36 Considerations and Recommendations ......................................................................................... 15 37 Table 9 - Summary of Recommendations for SLO Coordinator Positions .................................. 30 38 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 30 39 References ............................................................................................................................... 19 40 Appendices ............................................................................................................................... 22 41 Appendix A ............................................................................................................................... 22 42 Appendix B Survey Participants ................................................................................................... 32 43 Appendix C Survey and Non-Narrative Results ........................................................................... 47 44 Appendix D Sample SLO Coordinator Job Descriptions and Expectations ................................. 50 45 Appendix E Training Needs from SLO Survey and Regional Meeting Focus Groups ............... 48 46 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 2 47 Abstract 48 Formally stating and assessing student learning outcomes (SLOs) is a new focus for California 49 community colleges required by the 2002 Accreditation Standards. This paper, the first in a 50 series, explores one aspect of this sea change across the state: the emergence of a new group of 51 faculty leaders, Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators. Responsible for 52 guiding the SLO development and assessment efforts at their colleges, these faculty are charged 53 with designing and implementing assessment processes for instruction, the library, and student 54 services. In addition, they provide training for whatever assessment model the college adopts 55 and they must organize and report assessment data for accreditation. As assessment leaders, 56 they must balance the often differing concerns of faculty and administrators as well as deal with 57 any college resistance. Student Learning Outcomes Coordinators act as agents of change on 58 their campuses; not change for the sake of change, but change anchored in campus culture and 59 targeting improved learning. Unfortunately, many are working without clear job descriptions or 60 have not received training for this position. Some SLO coordinators shoulder this burden 61 without any reassigned time on top of a full teaching load. Until now, there have been few 62 opportunities for SLO Coordinators to network together and exchange ideas; they have been 63 undertaking their task in isolation. This paper, detailing research conducted by the Academic 64 Senate's Ad Hoc Accreditation and Student Learning Outcomes Committee, explores the current 65 status of California's SLO Coordinators and makes several recommendations to address the 66 challenges they face. 67 68 Introduction 69 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment are faculty tasks which reach from the core of our 70 classrooms to the public image of our profession. Some proponents claim that outcomes and 71 assessment are instruments to improve education, to repair our educational system, and to hold 72 institutions accountable to the public. While we do not agree that SLOs and assessment are a 73 panacea for all that ails education, the research indicates that they do have value. But who should 74 define these outcomes and carry out the assessments? This paper, the first in a series of papers on 75 student learning outcomes and assessment, emphasizes the centrality of the faculty role in 76 creating this process. It is up to faculty to create and assess outcomes (utilizing both 77 quantitative and qualitative measures) and to analyze that evidence to improve student 78 learning and teaching. Because meeting the assessment expectations of accreditation standards 79 requires knowledge and abilities beyond typical grading, faculty need training in many areas. 80 Student learning outcomes (SLO) coordinators are important leaders in staff development, 81 advocating faculty primacy in curricular issues, and supporting academic freedom. SLO 82 coordinators also handle responsibilities that produce reports to external agencies with an eye on 83 the validity and reliability of the reported data. As a related responsibility they must determine 84 where to house the data and create the conditions to make it safe to collect data without 85 inadvertently stepping on individual student, faculty or administrative rights. Subsequent papers 86 will address the effects of outcomes and assessment in the classroom, on our institutions 87 individually, and to our California Community College System as a whole. 88 89 To meet the challenge presented by the 2002 Accreditation Standards, a phenomenon occurred in 90 California Community Colleges; the rather rapid development of a new faculty position, the 91 student learning outcomes coordinator. In this role a faculty member looks beyond the 92 accreditation requirements and self study report, the direct responsibility of the accreditation co- Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 3 93 chairs and Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO). The SLO coordinator must look into long term 94 institutional assessment processes that are sustainable. The SLO coordinator evaluates the staff 95 development needs, trains faculty on assessment tools that provide reliable and valid data, and 96 motivates robust discussions that convert these data into positive changes to improve learning. At 97 its heart, outcomes assessment addresses the scholarship of teaching, and falls squarely into the 98 faculty domain. 99 100 Literature Review 101 The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western 102 Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) 2002 Accreditation Standards integrate outcomes 103 and assessment into every component of institutional responsibility. Recent accreditation actions, 104 found at the ACCJC WASC website (http://www.accjc.org/Actions_institutions.htm), make it 105 perfectly clear; an institution cannot be accredited without thoughtfully addressing and 106 using outcomes assessment in every course, program and student service. In addition, 107 evidence from outcomes assessment is supposed to drive budgeting decisions, address student 108 needs, improve student services and help students and faculty to continually ask, "Can we do this 109 any better?" 110 111 A secondary consequence to the focus on outcomes assessment is that it forces the institution to 112 clearly document what the results of a student's education should be. In other words, what can a 113 student do after he or she completes a course of study? What will a student, holding a degree 114 from a particular program at a particular institution, really be able to do and how do we know he 115 or she can do it? This type of questioning ultimately asks whether a degree, the grades from 116 courses to accomplish that degree, and the time and money spent in the classroom to support that 117 education, actually resulted in any qualitative difference. This corollary of outcomes assessment 118 embodies a public and legislative desire for accountability. There is a body of literature that 119 concludes that higher education has not been accountable or effective. This premise was first 120 documented and publicized in a paper by the National Commission on Excellence in Education 121 called A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform (1983). The report has formed 122 the basis of many external pressures upon educational practices. Accreditation practices are 123 supposed to guarantee quality education, but since A Nation at Risk, the public and the 124 legislature feel the process is inadequate and have published several attacks on the quality of 125 higher education and accreditation processes. 126 127 Recently, new external reports have found fault in the California Community College outcomes 128 and institutional practices. In Rules of the Game: How State Policy Creates Barriers to Degree 129 Completion and Impedes Student Success in the California Community Colleges Shulock and 130 Moore (2007) claimed the community college system has failed expectations for specific 131 outcomes. Some politically active organizations have taken aim at the process of peer review to 132 accredit institutions and guarantee quality outcomes. In a report by the Association Council of 133 Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) called Why Accreditation Doesn't Work and What Policymakers 134 Can Do about It (2007) the national process of peer review accreditation is referred to as a 135 broken and ineffective process. The Council on Higher Education Assessment (CHEA), which 136 overseas the regional accreditation processes, summarizes the claims of the ACTA paper by 137 stating, Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 4 138 Why Accreditation Doesn't Work offers breathtaking generalizations about accreditation, 139 buttressed only by a series of anecdotes and offering little or no evidence for its broad 140 condemnation of the enterprise. Accreditation, the paper says, is suffering from seven 141 deadly sins: It does nothing to assure quality; it examines inputs and not the outputs in 142 which the public is interested; it undermines institutional autonomy and diversity; it 143 contributes to rising college costs; it is an unaccountable, federally mandated monopoly; 144 it is largely a secret process and it is a "conflicted, closed and clubby system." In short, 145 accreditation is "bad education policy" and fails to assure quality. (Inside Accreditation 146 Vol 3 No. 3) 147 148 Are any of these conclusions founded on solid evidence? Do the conclusions focus on the wrong 149 type of measurement, of indirect and irremediable measures, paralleling yet separate from 150 measuring actual learning? Have educators honestly answered these questions and provided 151 either evidence to the contrary or plans to address issues that can be improved? Most certainly, 152 without a response or with a business as usual approach, we are looking at pressures from 153 external agencies and the federal government who feel they can do our jobs better or have 154 answers that work. 155 156 There are many examples where outcomes and accountability measures have been undertaken by 157 outside entities, other than faculty, and the results have not accomplished the desired effect: the 158 improvement of teaching and learning. An example of this kind of failure is large stakes testing 159 which results in comparisons between schools, as experienced by K-12 institutions through the 160 No Child Left Behind Act. Another example of external measures is the use of individual student 161 assessments, such as the SAT or GRE, which provide an amorphous measure of some aspect of 162 learning, but by no means provide data to improve learning or teaching. While large stakes 163 testing may measure something, this testing is not part of an assessment cycle and is not set up to 164 actually improve teaching or student learning. External measures often provide only superficial 165 information that is limited to comparisons of students or schools. In order to accurately assess the 166 dynamics of learning in all domains at all levels, assessment must be planned and implemented 167 in a scholarly fashion by faculty, the teaching experts. 168 169 Outcomes and assessment, that benefit student learning, must focus on the dynamic roles of 170 faculty and on the teaching-learning interface, emphasizing pedagogical techniques and 171 observable student learning. Important criteria for classroom assessment and the teaching- 172 learning interface have been emphasized by many authors (Angelo, 1995; Black & Wiliam, 173 1998; Brookhart, 1999; M. S. Miller, 1999: Suskie, 2000; Wright, 1999). Understanding the 174 power of assessment, that it is a two edged sword that can both improve education when done 175 correctly, but also has the power to reduce, mechanize and limit education on the other hand, is 176 essential. Boud (1995) raises an important consideration explaining that if faculty did not fully 177 understand the power inherent in assessment, it could serve as a real shortcoming. These 178 shortcomings involve overemphasizing single summative tests, high stakes testing, and 179 assessment that does not ultimately benefit students. These potential dangers are detailed at the 180 Fair Testing website (http://fairtest.org) and elaborated upon by Wiggins (1993) in Assessing 181 Student Performance: Exploring the Limits of Testing. 182 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 5 183 Having considered the potential difficulties with assessment, it is also clear that research 184 supports the fact that assessment can be a great tool to improve teaching and learning. In What 185 You Measure is What You Get (1994), Hummel and Huitt describe how the types of assessment 186 methods used determined how students learned and influenced how faculty taught. Boud (1995) 187 also explaines that the benefit of well defined assessment practices is the ability to prompt 188 learning both for the faculty member and the students. In other words, what we assess, acts as a 189 map to direct student learning, guiding them in their studies and time investment. Black and 190 Wiliam (1998) in Inside the Black Box: Raising Standards through Classroom Assessment 191 provide impressive data that proves formative assessment is one of the most powerful methods 192 known to improve learning. The focus of assessment must be directed at the correct venue, the 193 student-learner interface, as Wright claims, 194 195 Post secondary assessment done right must be rooted in the course and in the classroom, 196 in the individual cells, to speak metaphorically, where the metabolism of learning 197 actually takes place. (1999) 198 199 Building on this, Stiggins (2002) adds an additional perspective to assessment. He suggests that 200 the purposes of assessment are not only educational improvement and accountability but also 201 assessment for learning. Doing assessment that promotes success and informs learning, rather 202 than just measuring learning, requires using assessment as an instructional tool (Chappuis & 203 Stiggins, 2002; Travis, 1996; Wiggins, 1993). The principles discussed above suggest important 204 components necessary for faculty assessment training and underscore the importance of faculty 205 in driving this process. 206 207 Several authors highlight the importance of equipping faculty to clearly state outcomes about 208 what a student should be able to know or do at the completion of a course or program 209 (Friedlander & Serban, in press; Nichols, 1995; Volkwein, 2003; Walvoord & Anderson, 1998; 210 Wright, 1999). This is important because well-stated outcomes actually suggest the means or 211 method of assessment simplifying or directing faculty selection of assessment tools. 212 Nichols (1995) highlights the importance of training faculty to develop a limited number of 213 substantive outcomes. This entails reflective analysis of the complex skills, knowledge, and 214 abilities that students should be able to do as a result of the coursework (Brookhart, 1999; Huba 215 & Freed, 2000; Wright). Linkage of course outcomes to program outcomes, and program 216 outcomes to institutional level outcomes, is essential and occurs most easily after faculty have 217 developed the expertise within their own courses (Benander et al., 2000; Brookhart). Miller 218 stated, 219 Classroom assessment is the purest form of assessment-for-improvement, because the 220 information gleaned can be immediately used to improve teaching and learning …the 221 further away from the individual classroom you get, the harder it becomes to turn 222 assessment data into useable information. (1997) 223 224 Unfortunately, training on student learning outcomes, pedagogy, and assessment often occurs on 225 the run. Many faculty simply emulate the teaching practices of the most effective teacher in his 226 or her educational experience. Nevertheless, assessing student learning is not a new technique; it 227 is an integral part of the job when it comes to evaluating student work. Focusing on student 228 learning outcomes and assessment involves more explicit and purposeful activities with respect Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 6 229 to work faculty have always done (Walvoord & Anderson, 1998; Brookhart, 1999). The 230 difference in meeting the assessment expectations delineated in the new accreditation standards 231 requires conventions beyond typical grading and beyond faculty focusing on individual 232 classrooms. It requires that faculty become both discipline experts and skilled assessment 233 practitioners. This demands leadership and clearly defined tasks, plus well organized training to 234 make the process beneficial. In an extensive literature review by the committee there was no 235 evidence that any system of higher education has addressed an organized training plan for 236 Student earning Outcomes Coordinators. 237 238 Background 239 While career and technical education (vocational education) had been outcomes-based for years, 240 Student Learning Outcomes and assessment became a focus for all disciplines in California 241 Community Colleges in 2002 when newly adopted accreditation standards placed them at the 242 center of college life. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, 243 Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC) 2002 Accreditation Standards 244 require: 245 Standard I B. Improving Institutional Effectiveness 246 The institution demonstrates a conscious effort to produce and support student learning, 247 measures that learning, assesses how well learning is occurring and makes changes to 248 improve student learning. The institution also organizes its key processes and allocates it 249 resources to effectively support student learning. The institution demonstrates its 250 effectiveness by providing 1) evidence of the achievement of student learning outcomes 251 and 2) evidence of institution and program performance. The institution uses ongoing and 252 systematic evaluation and planning to refine its key processes and improve student 253 learning. See additional details in the Standards. 254 255 Standard II. Student Learning Programs and Services 256 The institution offers high-quality instructional programs, student support services, and 257 library and learning support services that facilitate and demonstrate the achievement of 258 stated student learning outcomes. See additional details in the Standards. 259 260 The Academic Senate for California community colleges had concerns about the implications of 261 the new standards and its emphasis on student learning outcomes. Though supportive of 262 authentic assessment, the Academic Senate feared that the new standards would lend themselves 263 to a "one size fits all" approach for all of California's 109 community colleges, similar to the 264 testing imposed on the K-12 system as part of the No Child Left Behind initiative. The 265 Academic Senate also worried that the cost of implementing the new standards was an unfunded 266 mandate, one that would place an undue financial burden on local colleges. Finally, the role of 267 faculty in meeting the new standards was also an area of concern; the Academic Senate feared 268 that work with SLOs and the design of assessment processes would not fall where it rightfully 269 belonged – in faculty hands. Many of these concerns have not materialized. 270 271 Since the implementation of the new standards, visiting accreditation teams have held the 272 colleges to higher and higher levels of compliance with a gradually increasing focus from the 273 writing and documentation of student learning outcomes to the assessment of those outcomes 274 and more recently to the tying of those outcomes to budgeting and planning. Although this focus Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 7 275 on student learning outcomes appears new to ACCJC/WASC accreditation, it has been the 276 standard in all the other regional accreditation commissions, most having begun in the early 277 1990's. Career and technical educational programs have been held to this high standard by 278 individual program accreditation organizations, such as the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). 279 But for many disciplines and institutions as a whole, the focus of accreditation standards on 280 teaching and learning outcomes as opposed to physical, financial and human resources moved 281 the measuring stick for quality higher education from inputs to outputs; this represented a 282 significant paradigm shift for California faculty. The new ACCJC standards moved the 283 evaluation of colleges from a focus on educational resources, faculty quality and curricular 284 content to new questions related to student outcomes. What can the student do as a result of their 285 education? How does the college document student learning? And how does the college use that 286 documentation in planning processes? 287 288 The focus on teaching and learning shifted the process of accreditation from administrative 289 summaries of existing facilities and organization to an evidence-based process that documents 290 the effectiveness of teaching and learning and improvements of that process. As a result, the 291 major responsibility for assessment rightly landed in the laps of the practitioners, the faculty. In 292 an attempt to meet the demands of the 2002 ACCJC Accreditation Standards, many colleges 293 created Student Learning Outcomes Coordinator positions. This person, most often a faculty 294 member, is asked to take charge of the college's efforts to examine existing processes and create 295 new ones to assess student learning. In addition, most coordinators also hold the major 296 responsibility for amassing evidence and reporting of assessment results for accreditation. 297 Recently, the role of the Student Learning Outcomes Coordinator has become even more vital 298 following the January 2007 implementation of mandatory annual reporting on the status of 299 Outcomes and Assessment for every level of college activity (see Appendix I). 300 301 However, to begin few faculty SLO Coordinators were trained in these areas outside of their 302 specific disciplines. At the national level, as faculty and institutions prepared to meet the need 303 for training and coordination, various conferences developed as a means to share processes, 304 ideas, and methodologies, such as the Indiana University-Purdue University Indiana (IUPUI) 305 Assessment Conference and American Association of Higher Education (AAHE) Assessment 306 Conference. The lack of professional development funding in California Community Colleges 307 made travel to these conferences difficult or impossible for many who would have benefited. The 308 few faculty that were able to go to these training opportunities returned to find no organized 309 follow-up and little support or infrastructure to enable them to move forward with SLO and 310 assessment issues. 311 312 Typical of California, innovative educators met this need with unique strategies. At the Fall 2004 313 plenary session the Academic Senate passed resolution 2.01, 314 315 Resolved, That we insist that SLO design and development remain exclusively a matter 316 for local faculty and senates; and that we insist that the designs of all processes for 317 measurable objectives and/or outcomes remain exclusively a matter for local faculty and 318 senates and that this principle be communicated to the Accrediting Commission for 319 Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), the system leaders of California's Community 320 Colleges, and all of our intersegmental partners, including the Intersegmental Committee Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 8 321 of Academic Senates (ICAS) and the California Articulation Numbering (CAN) Board of 322 Directors. 323 324 The process of developing student learning outcomes and assessment began to focus on faculty- 325 driven, locally appropriate methods. The Academic Senate began to offer training at the annual 326 Curriculum Institutes, addressing this issue from a curricular perspective. 327 328 Statewide training for SLO coordinators began initially through the Research and Planning 329 Group (RP) of California. They were instrumental in providing regional training for colleges and 330 quickly approached faculty to lead that training in instructional areas. Specific training for 331 faculty leaders took place at the "Assessment Worth Doing" summer institute in 2005, planned 332 and led by faculty in cooperation with some administrators and researchers. RP also organized 333 initial meetings for SLO Coordinators at their "Strengthening Student Success" conference in 334 2006 and developed an SLO listserv. Around 2004, the Academic Senate incorporated training 335 for SLOs into its Curriculum Institutes and IMPAC meetings. Faculty members increasingly 336 looked to their own organization, the Academic Senate, for support and guidance in these areas. 337 At the Fall 2006 Academic Senate plenary, more of the focus of the organizing effort moved to 338 the Academic Senate of California Community Colleges. Resolution F06 2.02 requested that the 339 Academic Senate, 340 341 Provide organizational support, including organizing regular meetings, providing faculty 342 training, and facilitating networking, for SLO/Assessment Coordinators throughout the 343 state; and encourage local colleges and their districts to provide financial support for their 344 SLO/Assessment Coordinators. 345 346 Responding to the resolution, the Ad Hoc Accreditation and Student Learning Outcomes 347 Committee, created by the Academic Senate in Spring 2006, undertook a study of SLO 348 Coordinators throughout the state. The committee conducted a survey, created an Academic 349 Senate SLO coordinators listserv and convened regional meetings, with help from the Research 350 and Planning Group. Information from the survey was reviewed, organized, and validated by 351 focus groups during the regional meetings. What follows is a discussion of the findings. 352 353 Present Status of SLO Coordinators 354 A survey conducted by the Academic Senate and the Research and Planning Group in the Spring 355 of 2007 collected information from 80 unduplicated respondents concerning their official or 356 unofficial role as SLO coordinator or chair (see Appendices II and III for Survey Respondent 357 Results; entire results are available at the Academic Senate website http://www.asccc.org). The 358 respondents represented 75 California Community Colleges, ranging from colleges with multiple 359 SLO coordinator positions to colleges where the workload was carried out by people with other 360 designations, such as curriculum chair, and colleges with no one carrying out this function. The 361 survey indicated that more than half the people acting as SLO coordinators in California 362 Community Colleges have no defined role, were appointed or chosen without any selection 363 criteria, and complained of a lack of clarity concerning duties and reporting responsibilities. 364 Given the huge institutional task that SLO Coordinators are attempting, this is troubling. 365 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 9 366 When asked how long the existing coordinators had been in their position, responses varied from 367 less than 4 days to 6 years. Details of the answers are included in Table 1. 368 Table 1: How long have you been SLO Coordinator/Chair? Time Number 0-1 semester 14 1 semester-1.5 years 19 2 – 4 years 37 5-6 years 4 No answer 6 Total Respondents 80 369 370 Even though the new accreditation standards requiring outcomes and assessment were adopted in 371 2002, the numbers in the table indicate that some SLO coordinators in California Community 372 Colleges began carrying out their responsibilities just prior to or just after the adoption of the 373 new standards. But the majority of coordinators have had very short tenures and 19 have been 374 only recently appointed to the coordinator position. Overall, this is a new group of faculty 375 leaders with little experience as SLO coordinators. 376 377 Of concern is the fact that the majority of faculty holding these positions have no written 378 definitions of the position. Many faculty explained that they were appointed as SLO coordinators 379 without a job description, term of service, position expectations, or criteria for their task. Most 380 felt that they were chosen to fill the position for an undetermined or indefinite period of time. 381 Table 2- How many years does your role as SLO Coordinator last? Length of Assignment Number 1year 5 2 years 13 3 years 4 5 - 6 years 3 Indefinite or Not Determined 39 Unofficial role or Other such as chair for another committee 4 that covers SLOs also Answers indicating position end date but no term length 6 Not Applicable 2 No Answer 4 Total Respondents 80 382 383 The method used to appoint the SLO coordinators varied a great deal as shown in Table 3 below. 384 By and large, the SLO coordinators reported ambiguity about their appointment process. 385 Approximately 50% of the SLO coordinators were chosen without any selection criteria and 386 another 8% simply morphed into the position from related roles such as curriculum chair or roles 387 associated with accreditation. Unfortunately, only 6% were appointed through joint academic 388 senate and administrative processes, which model the support and cooperative decision making 389 processes that contribute to the eventual success in implementing outcomes and assessment. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 10 390 Table 3 – How were you appointed to the position of SLO coordinator? Appointed by an administrator 17 Appointed or elected by the academic senate 16 Volunteered 8 Appointment was made by a committee, e.g. SLO or 8 accreditation committee Appointment was unique or unclear 8 Morphed into SLO role as part of another committee, e.g. 6 accreditation or curriculum Appointed by the senate and administration 5 No process 4 No response or not applicable 8 Total Respondents 80 391 392 The choice of an SLO coordinator and the direction of outcomes and assessment should have 393 administrative support, but must also have meaningful academic senate involvement due to 394 curricular and program implications, as well as the vital connection to accreditation, all areas of 395 faculty responsibility clearly defined in AB 1725. 396 397 What Do Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators Actually Do? 398 Many faculty assigned to the task of Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinator 399 would also like to know the answer to this question. The task of SLO coordinators was aptly 400 summarized by an English Professor and SLO coordinator at a California community college: 401 402 Look carefully at the no-longer-new accreditation standards. We're to define SLOs for 403 every one of our courses, complete assessment cycles for each of those courses, and use 404 assessment data in each of them to improve curriculum and/or pedagogy. We're to define 405 and assess GE outcomes, mapping GE courses to GE outcomes and (again) using data to 406 improve. All programs are to be similarly assessed. Student services and instructional 407 support are similarly to be assessed. Someone (or ones--there's something to be said for 408 splitting the position between two people) has to led this effort, and it is extraordinarily 409 demanding. 410 411 Our research revealed that very few SLO coordinators actually operated on written job 412 descriptions. Some faculty have compared it to the role of the Curriculum Chair. Yet, while there 413 are some similarities, the task of training everyone in the college in assessment methods, from 414 student services to instructional services, and bearing a major responsibility for the evidence and 415 reporting in accreditation, sets the SLO coordinator's duties apart from those of most curriculum 416 chairs. 417 418 Accreditation requires SLOs and regular assessment for all course level, program (including 419 instructional and student service programs) level, General Education, and college-wide student Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 11 420 learning outcomes. The purpose of these assessments is to guide changes and improvements in 421 those specific courses or programs and provide linkage and rationale for budgetary decisions. At 422 some colleges the outcomes and assessments task is shared between co-chairs or relegated to 423 committees, while other colleges have successfully designated multiple Student Learning 424 Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators with specific areas of responsibility. Models include co- 425 chairs from instruction and student services or from vocational and transfer education or co- 426 chairs with one taking the lead on SLOs and the other taking the lead on assessment. The job is 427 so large that some colleges have teams of faculty or committees with reassigned time that aid the 428 SLO coordinator in facilitating training and implementation. Table 4 provides a sample of the 429 variety of SLO coordinator models found in the colleges surveyed. 430 Table 4 – Various Models of Organizing the SLO responsibilities Some colleges have divided the SLO tasks and assigned specific duties in some of the following combinations: Student services SLO chair and instructional services SLO chair Vocational Instruction SLO chair and Non-vocational SLO chair Administrative and Student Services SLO chair and instructional services SLO chair Planning and research chair and SLO implementation chair SLO coordinator and small reassigned time for faculty SLO facilitators Combinations of Curriculum chair and SLO responsibilities Combinations of Program Review Chair and SLO responsibilities Triumvirates with chairs from curriculum, program review and SLO An SLO trainer and an SLO organizer One person to organize course and program outcomes and assessment and another to do institutional/ general education outcomes and assessment Combinations of SLO coordinator and Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) 431 432 A few colleges developed very specific job announcements, several of these are included in 433 Appendix IV. 434 435 Criteria for the Position of SLO Coordinator 436 As may be expected, with no official selection process and no designated terms of service, there 437 were many survey respondents that reported an absence of specific job requirements. Most were 438 unsure that any criteria for the position existed. Some open-ended comments ranged from criteria 439 such as "Willingness to serve" and "Find a sucker willing to do the work" to "Understanding of 440 assessment, (measurable) objectives, instructional design cycle, curriculum, student services" to 441 "Knowledge of SLOs as demonstrated by attendance at conferences, research, and departmental 442 leadership." 443 444 Regional meetings, supported by the Academic Senate and attended by over 100 SLO 445 coordinators, interested faculty, institutional researchers and administrators, were used to review 446 the potential criteria gleaned from the survey and develop a useable list of potential criteria for 447 the position of SLO coordinator. During the regional meetings, focus groups developed a list of 448 factors that are useful in describing the expectations for an SLO coordinator. Like any task, the 449 person doing the work is an important component in the success of this endeavor. No one could Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 12 450 fulfill the entire list; however, colleges can select from the list to describe the position that fits 451 their college culture and expectations. Table 5 displays how criteria were organized by the focus 452 groups so that colleges could look at the potential descriptions and develop a description 453 appropriate to their needs and to their local college culture. 454 Table 5 – Designing and Defining SLO Coordinator Responsibilities Design the Job 1. First acknowledge and distinguish the different tasks and potential job skill differences for Academic, Student Services and Administrative Outcomes coordinators. 2. Design the selection and reporting to be faculty-led; involve senate and coordinate with administration 3. Consider a combination of co-chairs from faculty or faculty and administration 4. Determine a structure to allow collaborative work or use a committee; this should not fall to a single individual 5. Design an SLO Coordinator description that matches local college needs, culture and organization Potential Descriptors for SLO Coordinator Knowledge and Abilities Knowledge of a. Accreditation Standards b. Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) definition and quality c. Curriculum content and processes for the college d. Assessment Practices and methods (including assessment cycle) e. Pedagogy – practice and study of teaching f. Institutional Practices (e.g. program review, ability to embed assessment, etc) g. College culture h. Diverse student populations i. Teaching expertise (including delivering modalities and sensitivity to program differences) j. Student service issues such as DSPS, EOPS and matriculation enrollment k. Basic descriptive statistics (e.g. sampling) Able to a. Motivate b. Facilitate – including groups of various sizes- Individuals/Dept/Division/Work group (whole college) c. Organize d. Problem solve e. Plan f. Communicate and present g. Provide resources h. Chair a committee i. Monitor assessment process j. Collaborate or Work well with others (all groups); build rapport Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 13 k. Coordinate – institutional (faculty and staff) l. Lead (research, faculty, administration) m. Analyze and interpret data n. Train others on complex processes 455 456 How Are Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators Compensated? 457 The myriad tasks undertaken by an SLO coordinator and the many qualities needed to 458 successfully accomplish them indicate that this is a demanding and challenging college position. 459 Surely, SLO Coordinators should be fairly compensated for their work. Yet when asked, "How 460 much reassigned time does your SLO position provide?" there were a wide variety of answers. 461 Collecting data about reassigned time is difficult. Each college refers to faculty load in different 462 ways. For instance, 3 hours of full time teaching or a single three-unit class reassigned may be 463 equivalent to 20% reassigned time, but three hours for a librarian or counselor comprises far less 464 than 20% of a full time load. Data from 80 respondents representing 75 colleges were analyzed. 465 These data are not exhaustive; in fact, the very act of surveying for information initiated new 466 reassigned positions and re-evaluation of existing reassigned time at some colleges. 467 468 These data represent a sample of reassignment patterns and reveal that most colleges with people 469 assigned as SLO coordinators do provide some reassigned time to complete the task. Seventeen 470 respondents (23%) were identified as coordinators with no reassigned time at the time of the 471 survey. Narrative information supporting this question indicated that some of the respondents 472 were not SLO coordinators and some carried out SLO duties but were reassigned through other 473 duties such as curriculum chairs, accreditation chairs, institutional effectiveness or research. Two 474 of these respondents were actually funded by Title V grants. The varying reassigned time for 475 SLO coordinator assignments displayed in Table 6 depicts the individuality and customization of 476 local college practices. 477 Table 6 - How much reassigned time does your SLO position provide? N=80 Compensated Compensated Compensated Compensation No reassignment by reassignment by reassignment by stipends subsumed into other or compensation as a part of load by hours per reassigned tasks week 20-30% = 17 3-5 = 3 $6,000 = 1 Accreditation = 1 Assigned but no 40-60% = 16 6-10 = 8 10,000 = 1 Research/Institutional compensation = 80% = 1 11-20 = 1 *some have Effectiveness = 2 17 100% = 3 combined a Curriculum = 3 No coordinator stipend with position = 5 reassigned time No response = 1 478 479 In addition to these figures, comments from the survey and focus groups during the regional 480 meetings indicated that some colleges have multiple people working either as co-chairs or 481 committees to accomplish the tasks as stated above. In many of these cases, more than one 482 person is given reassigned time. Table 7 provides specific examples of reassignment for 483 multiple coordinators as reported in the survey. 484 485 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 14 Table 7 – Colleges Reporting Multiple Reassigned SLO and Assessment Coordinators College Number of Reassigned Roles Reassign time Allan Hancock College Two Student Services 40-60% each Two Instruction (Total of four coordinators reassigned) Cerritos College Two Coordinators 40% each Chaffey College One Vocational Coordinator 25% each One Instructional non- vocational Diablo Valley College Two Coordinators 25% each East Los Angeles College One Coordinator 60% Three SLO facilitators 40% each total 180% El Camino College Two coordinators 33% each LA City College One Coordinator 100% Six faculty SLO team 20% each for six faculty (Total of seven reassigned) Mount San Antonio College One Coordinator 100% for implementation phase Two Facilitators 60% each San Diego City College Two Coordinators 8 hours each Southwestern College One Student Services 20% each Coordinator One Instructional Coordinator 486 487 Mount San Antonio College began its SLO process with 220% reassigned time, 100% reassigned 488 to the coordinator and 60% reassigned time to two additional support faculty. After several years 489 when the initial startup process was institutionalized, Mount San Antonio College re-evaluated 490 and reduced the reassigned time. A look at its outcomes and assessment processes show 491 extensive depth, breadth and sustainability because of the strong foundation and resources the 492 faculty received. Allan Hancock College organized around four SLO coordinators, two for 493 Student Services and two for Instruction with various reassigned time and stipends among the 494 four coordinators. East Los Angeles College began with 180% reassigned time, an SLO 495 coordinator who received 60% and three faculty mentors who receive 40% reassigned time each. 496 497 It has become clear that colleges attempting to meet the outcomes and assessment requirements 498 of the standards without a faculty designated position that includes reassigned time, report being 499 woefully behind. While reassigned time does not guarantee success, a lack of reassigned time or 500 some form of compensation appears to result in only superficial attention to the processes. 501 502 Training for SLO Coordinators 503 Both the survey respondents and the Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment coordinators 504 who attended regional meetings were adamant that training was extremely important. The 505 majority responded that their colleges were beyond simply writing student learning outcomes but 506 were having difficulties with designing meaningful assessment methods. About 50% of the Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 15 507 respondents felt confident with their knowledge about course outcomes, while many more 508 requested training for writing and assessing program outcomes. In addition, many respondents 509 felt their colleges had done little with General Education Outcomes and very few possessed a 510 plan for writing and assessing these General Educational or Institutional Outcomes. The 511 majority of the requests for training were focused on two topics: 1) documenting institution-wide 512 evidence and 2) completing the assessment cycle to improve teaching and learning. Improvement 513 is the most important aspect of outcomes and assessment. Table 8 indicates the frequency of 514 requests for training by SLO coordinators. The good news is that many SLO coordinators 515 reported that they felt competent to provide some help and training to their colleagues at other 516 institutions. 517 Table 8 - Which of the following training opportunities would assist you in your role as an SLO coordinator? Which would you be willing to assist others with? (Check all that apply) Want Give Want Give help help help help 10 33 writing student learning 44 7 general education outcomes outcomes basics 42 15 assessment basics 38 13 institutional outcomes 56 4 closing the assessment loop 59 5 documenting evidence 22 23 course outcomes 46 6 developing quality dialogue 38 14 program outcomes 518 519 Focus groups at the regional meetings confirmed the survey results and further discussed training 520 needs. The attendees organized training needs into four major topic areas: 1) assessment methods 521 and models, 2) processes and strategies, 3) working with faculty, and 4) tools for assessment. 522 See Appendix V for the detailed requests for training identified by SLO coordinators at the 523 regional meetings and on the survey. 524 525 Considerations and Recommendations 526 The research undertaken by the Ad Hoc Accreditation and Student Learning Outcomes 527 Committee reveals an emerging leadership group at community colleges, Student Learning 528 Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators. These faculty are attempting to undertake a huge task: 529 designing and implementing a sustainable, learning-centered, institution-wide assessment 530 process that addresses the expectations in the new ACCJC-WASC Accreditation Standards. The 531 enormous nature of the task is complicated by the variety of assignments, working conditions, 532 training and preparation of those serving in this position. These variations are not surprising 533 because they speak to the unique cultures, governance policies, and organizational structures of 534 the California community colleges. The Accreditation Standards state that no one method or 535 organizational strategy be used; colleges must create ones that suit their institutions and mission. 536 In spite of the local differences, a careful examination of the data gathered through surveys and 537 in the regional meetings, reveals a commonalities and areas of concern that local senates should 538 use when considering the role of the SLO coordinator and assessment oriented towards 539 processes, not products. The recommendations, in bold, are followed by considerations that 540 include questions and statements intended to help guide you in a manner appropriate for your 541 institution. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 16 542 1. In order for the SLO Coordinator position to be effective, its placement within the 543 college organizational structure must be adequately defined and carefully considered. 544 One way to begin this analysis is to define a college's assessment tasks and the best way to 545 organize them. Institutions beginning SLO and assessment work should scrutinize the strategies 546 used by other colleges across the state that may be further along. The SLO listserv created by 547 the Academic Senate, the ASCCC website, and the RP website, Center for Student Success 548 (http://css.rpgroup.org/) are sources to gather information, data and examples. Begin by 549 considering existing committees on your campus. Some colleges connect Program Review 550 committees with program outcomes; others connect Curriculum Committee work with course 551 outcomes, and still others create new committees that interface with existing college governance 552 committees. As always, individual college culture is the key. What will work at your college? 553 554 2. The college must determine how it will assign responsibility for the major areas of 555 assessment: student services, library, and instruction (courses, programs, General 556 Education and degrees). 557 Will it work best for your college to have only one person as SLO Coordinator, or two, or a 558 team? Should there be a committee with equal responsibilities? Who will guide and direct 559 student services areas? Will it be the same person coordinating instructional outcomes? Will 560 your campus include administrative services in creating and assessing outcomes? Is one person 561 able to bridge all these areas? What will be most effective considering your college dynamics? 562 563 3. A clear job description with expectations for the SLO coordinator position is 564 essential. 565 The local senate should be the principal author for the SLO coordinator description. What level 566 of authority will the SLO coordinator will have? Will he or she act as mentor or manager, as 567 SLO czar or outcomes facilitator? Does participatory governance flourish if the coordinator is 568 more a manager than a mentor or coordinator? Will he or she be the keeper of the data or trainer 569 of faculty chairs who instead will keep the data? Determine the importance of qualifications and 570 knowledge for the job, as well as scope of institutional knowledge and experience. Carefully 571 define the expectations for this position and then prudently determine how much time is required 572 to meet the task. Work cooperatively with administration to establish this important faculty role. 573 574 4. A clear selection process for the SLO Coordinator with a specified length of service 575 will assist in making the position viable. 576 In most cases, this position should be selected through a process which involves the senate in 577 order to establish early faculty buy-in. Since reassigned time and research resources are essential, 578 focus group members suggested that cooperation between the senate and the administration is 579 very helpful. Who will review the applications? Will this process include an interview? How will 580 the administration be involved in the selection process? 581 582 5. Clear lines of reporting and accountability make the position more successful. 583 There are many questions that must be clearly answered if the SLO coordinator position is to 584 work effectively. To whom does the SLO Assessment Coordinator report? Should there be 585 standing reports to the senate, the college Vice President, the Board of Trustees? When? How 586 often? If difficult suggestions or decisions have to be made (such as to meet accreditation Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 17 587 standards or recommendations) is it better coming from an individual or a committee or the 588 senate? 589 590 6. The SLO Coordinator should be fairly compensated in some way for this work. 591 Outcomes and assessment tasks cannot be accomplished by a faculty member in addition to a full 592 teaching load. Some colleges have advanced in limited areas without the reassigned position; 593 however, to cover the breadth of the accreditation requirements for assessment, some type of 594 reassigned time, equivalent to the job assignment, is essential. Local senates should help 595 determine these parameters in conjunction with the administration in a method similar to the 596 reassigned time for other faculty positions related to Senate and legally mandated faculty tasks 597 such as curriculum and program review. 598 599 7. The process will not be successful without other significant dedicated resources. 600 The implementation of student learning outcomes is not a trivial task. It cannot proceed without 601 the allocation of significant resources. It is necessary to determine accessibility and use of 602 research data and research staff and to clarify the administrative and clerical support that will be 603 available (e.g. to document evidence). How are institutional research data made available? 604 SLO coordinators need to be able to work with faculty in departments on an individual level to 605 write and develop SLOs and assessment. What resources are available for faculty training and 606 staff development? Is there a budget for outside speakers? Will stipends be given to faculty 607 doing pilot projects or special work? Is there funding to attend conferences? 608 609 SLO coordinators must also work with and educate administrators about outcomes and 610 assessment; most administrators have very little background in the process other than 611 accountability reporting. Working cooperatively with administrators is essential to assure 612 resources and authority. It is imperative that the SLO coordinator be a liaison to the local 613 academic senate as a whole. However, other considerations should also be examined, such as the 614 SLO Coordinator participating in or reporting to other operational and governance committees 615 such as the curriculum, program review, the institutional effectiveness, planning, or the budget 616 committee. The relationship and responsibility for work with the accreditation team and 617 Institutional Researcher should be understood by all. 618 619 8. SLO Coordinators need ongoing training in various aspects of their assignment. 620 The literature review provided in this paper describes the importance of ongoing training for 621 SLO and assessment leaders. The Ad Hoc Accreditation and Student Learning Outcomes 622 Committee, in cooperation with the Research and Planning Group, has held trainings for SLO 623 coordinators and will continue to provide more. A plan is being considered to develop a 624 statewide training process for SLO coordinators, perhaps with certification, to identify and 625 provide instruction in the core skills and issues necessary to accomplish and sustain this task 626 locally. After a literature review we believe this may be the first statewide attempt to train 627 faculty-leaders that are coordinating student learning outcomes and assessment efforts. 628 629 9. SLO coordinators and the assessment processes should be regularly evaluated. 630 Consistent with the intent of regular assessment and evaluation that leads to improved teaching 631 and learning, institutions should develop a regular evaluation process for the SLO coordinator 632 position coupled with an evaluation of the effectiveness of the institutional processes. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 18 Table 9 Summary of Recommendations for SLO Coordinator Positions 1. In order for the SLO Coordinator position to be effective, its placement within the college organizational structure must be adequately defined and carefully considered. 2. The college must determine how it will assign responsibility for the different major areas of assessment: student services, library, and instruction (courses, programs, General Education and degrees). 3. A clear job description for the SLO coordinator position is essential. 4. A clear selection process for the SLO Coordinator with a specified length of service will assist in making the position viable. 5. Clear lines of reporting and accountability make the position more successful. 6. The SLO Coordinator should be fairly compensated in some way for this work. 7. The process will not be successful without other significant dedicated resources. 8. SLO Coordinators need ongoing training in various aspects of their assignment. 9. SLO coordinators and the assessment processes should be regularly evaluated. 633 634 Conclusion 635 In conclusion, without adequate resources, organization and training, outcomes assessment will 636 not achieve its goal of improving teaching and learning. This institutional commitment is 637 essential, including commitment from the college administrators, Board of Trustees, and faculty 638 leaders. Without such a commitment, SLOs and outcomes assessment will become another half- 639 hearted effort memorialized by a dusty report on a shelf or another fizzled college effort or 640 another unrealized national or state initiative. The increasing focus on student learning outcomes 641 and assessment by the federal government, accreditation standards, and the newly instituted 642 ACCJC annual reporting format mandate the development of a complex, and potentially difficult 643 to implement, set of processes. Yet if Student Learning Outcomes coordinators continue their 644 efforts within their institutions with adequate support, our research and the testimony of regional 645 meeting attendees indicates that positive dialogue and curricular changes will result in improved 646 learning by both students and faculty. 647 648 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 19 649 References 650 Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of 651 Schools and Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges (2002) Accreditation 652 Standards. Novato: Author 653 654 Association Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA). (2007). Why Accreditation Doesn't Work 655 and What Policymakers Can Do About It Retrieved July 20, 2007 at 656 http://www.goacta.org/publications/Reports/Accreditation2007Final.pdf 657 658 Angelo, T. A. (1995). Improving classroom assessment to improve learning: Guidelines from 659 research and practice. Assessment Update, 7(6), 1-13. 660 661 Black, P., & William, D (1998). Inside the Black Box: Raising Standards Through Classroom 662 Assessment. Phi Delta Kappan, October. Retrieved July 19, 2007 at Phi Delta Kappa 663 International at http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/kbla9810.htm 664 665 Benander, R., Denton, J., Page, D., & Skinner, C. (2000). Primary trait analysis: Anchoring 666 assessment in the classroom. The Journal of General Education, 9(4), 281-302. 667 668 Boud, D. (1995a). Assessment for learning: Contradictory or complementary? Retrieved May 4, 669 2007, from University of Technology Sydney Web site: http://www. 670 education.uts.edu.au/ostaff/staff/publications/db_9_boud_seda_95.pdf 671 672 Brookhart, S. M. (1999). The art and science of classroom assessment: The missing part 673 of pedagogy (ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report [Vol. 27, No.1]). Washington, DC: 674 The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human 675 Development. 676 677 Chappuis, S., & Stiggins, R. J. (2002). Classroom assessment for learning. Educational 678 Leadership, 60(1), 40-43. 679 680 Council for Higher Education Accreditation. (2007) Inside Accreditation vol 3 no. 3 Here we go 681 again…sin, salvation and accreditation. Retrieved July 25, 2007 at 682 http://www.chea.org/ia/IA_072007.html 683 684 Flick, A. (2007) Research and Planning SLO Listserv communication. 685 686 Friedlander, J., & Serban, A. (in press). Status of assessing SLOs in community colleges. San 687 Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 688 689 Hummel, J., & Huitt, W. (1994, February). What you measure is what you get. GaASCD 690 Newsletter: The Reporter, 10-11. Retrieved January 20, 2006 at 691 http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/papers/wymiwyg.html 692 693 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 20 694 Huba, M. E., & Freed, J. E. (2000). Learner-centered assessment on college colleges: 695 Shifting the focus from teaching to learning. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and 696 Bacon. 697 698 Gilbert, G. (2003, October). SLOs: Considering the new standards. A presentation at the fall 699 Plenary Session of the Academic Senate of California Community Colleges. Retrieved 700 January 10, 2004, from the Academic Senate of California Community Colleges Web 701 site: http://www.academicsenate.cc.ca.us/Events/sessions/fall2003/ 702 presentations/BeenThere/LearningOutcomesNew%20Standards.doc 703 *note can't get here form link I recovered 2 years ago need help with link 704 705 Miller, M. A. (1997). Looking for results: The second decade. In American Association for 706 Higher Education (Ed.). Assessing impact: Evidence and action (pp. 23-30). Washington, 707 DC: American Association for Higher Education. 708 709 Miller, M. S. (1999). Classroom assessment and university accountability. Journal of 710 Education for Business, 75(2), 94-98. 711 712 Mixson, Frank (2007). Comment from April 13, 2007 Regional SLO Coordinators meeting 713 Chaffey College, Rancho Cucamonga. 714 715 National Commission on Excellence in Education. (1983). A nation at risk: The imperative for 716 educational reform. Retrieved August 22, 2007 at 717 http://www.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk/index.html 718 719 Nichols, J. O. (1995). Assessment case studies: Common issues in implementation with 720 various campus approaches to resolution. Flemington, NJ: Agathon Press. 721 722 Shulock, N. & Moore, C. (2007) Rules of the game: How state policy creates barriers to degree 723 completion and impedes student success in the California community colleges. CSU 724 Sacramento Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy. Retrieved August 20, 725 2007 at http://www.hewlett.org/NR/rdonlyres/A4DFB403-0374-4D07-A24E- 726 1F7619B66B22/0/Rules_of_the_Game.pdf 727 728 Stiggins, R. J. (1994). Student-centered classroom assessment. New York: McMillan. 729 730 Stiggins, R. J. (2002). Assessment crises: The absence of assessment for learning. Phi Delta 731 Kappan, 83(10), 758-765 732 733 Suskie, L. (2000, May). Fair assessment practices: Giving students equitable opportunities to 734 demonstrate learning. Retrieved May 31, 2003, from the American Association for 735 Higher Education, Bulletin Archives Web site: 736 http://www.aahebulletin.com/public/archive/may2.asp 737 738 Travis, J. (1996). Meaningful assessment. The Clearing House, 69, 308-312. 739 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 21 740 741 Volkwein, J. F. (2003, May). Implementing outcomes assessment on your campus. 742 eJournal of the Research and Planning Group of California Community Colleges, 1, 1- 743 22. Retrieved July 5, 2003, from the Research and Planning Web site: 744 http://www.rpgroup.org/publications/eJournal/Volume_1/volkwein.htm 745 746 Walvoord, B. E., & Anderson, V. (1998). Effective grading: A tool for learning and 747 assessment. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 748 749 Wiggins, G. P. (1993). Assessing student performance: Exploring the limits of testing. San 750 Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 751 752 Wright, B. D. (1999). Evaluating learning in individual courses. Retrieved June 10, 2003, from 753 California Assessment Institute Web site: http://www.cai.ca.cc.us/Resources/ 754 Wright2.doc 755 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 22 756 Appendices 757 Appendix A 758 759 Annual Report Update on Student Learning Outcomes 760 2006-2007 761 762 Dear Colleague: 763 764 This 2006-2007 Annual Report Update on Student Learning Outcomes is a new addition to the 765 Commission's annual reporting requirements. It is intended to assist you, in response to the 766 requests the Commission has received to provide institutions with a framework of what is 767 required for defining expected student learning outcomes, assessing learning, analyzing the 768 assessment results, and using the results to plan and implement changes to improve learning, 769 changes to pedagogy, facilities, etc. The 4-part template describes a framework for the process 770 of implementing student learning outcomes requirements of the Standards. This report will 771 provide the institution and the Commission with information about the degree of implementation 772 since the adoption of the 2002 Standards. If you have any questions or require assistance, you 773 may contact Deborah G. Blue, Vice President for Policy and Research at (415) 506-0234 or 774 email@example.com. 775 776 From the ACCJC 2002 Standards 777 Standard I B. Improving Institutional Effectiveness 778 The institution demonstrates a conscious effort to produce and support student learning, 779 measures that learning, assesses how well learning is occurring and makes changes to improve 780 student learning. The institution also organizes its key processes and allocates it resources to 781 effectively support student learning. The institution demonstrates its effectiveness by providing 782 1) evidence of the achievement of student learning outcomes and 2)evidence of institution and 783 program performance. The institution uses ongoing and systematic evaluation and planning to 784 refine its key processes and improve student learning. See additional details in the Standards. 785 786 Standard II. Student Learning Programs and Services 787 The institution offers high-quality instructional programs, student support services, and library 788 and learning support services that facilitate and demonstrate the achievement of stated student 789 learning outcomes. See additional details in the Standards. 790 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 23 791 2006-2007 Institutional Annual Report Update on Student Learning Outcomes 792 Part I: Student Learning Outcomes for Courses Percentage (%) of all Courses/Programs Disciplines Yes No courses/programs 1. Has the college Defining defined expected % of List the courses for List the disciplines for which Expected student learning Courses________ which identification of identification of expected Student outcomes for all expected student learning student learning outcomes is Learning courses? outcomes is complete. complete. Outcomes 2. Has the college Defining identified List the courses for List the disciplines for which Assessment of appropriate which identification of identification of appropriate Expected assessment % of appropriate assessment assessment methodologies for Student methodologies for Courses________ methodologies for courses with defined expected Learning defined expected courses with defined student learning outcomes is Outcomes student learning expected student learning complete. outcomes for all outcomes is complete. courses? 3. Has the college Assessing assessed student % of List the courses for List the disciplines in which Student learning outcomes Courses________ which assessment of assessment of student learning Learning for all courses? student learning outcomes is complete for all of Outcomes outcomes is complete. its courses. 4. Has the college Analyzing the analyzed assessment % of List the courses for List the disciplines in which Results of results for the Courses________ which analyzing analyzing assessment results for Assessment student learning assessment results for student learning outcomes is outcomes for all student learning complete. courses? outcomes is complete. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 24 793 794 Part I: Student Learning Outcomes for Courses 795 Percentage (%) of all Courses/Programs Disciplines Yes No courses/programs 5. Using Planning and assessment List the courses for implementing results, has the % of Courses_______ which the college has N/A changes to college planned used assessment results pedagogy, facilities, and implemented to plan and make etc. to improve changes to changes to improve learning. pedagogy, learning; and describe facilities, etc. to the changes improve learning implemented. for all courses? 796 797 798 799 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 810 811 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 25 812 Part II: Student Learning Outcomes for Programs leading to Certificates and Degrees Percentage (%) of all Courses/Programs Yes No courses/programs 6. Has the institution defined Defining Expected expected student learning % of Programs_______ List the certificate and degree programs for Student Learning outcomes for all programs which identification of expected student Outcomes leading to certificates and learning outcomes is complete. degrees? 7. Has the institution mapped Mapping expected programmatic Programmatic student learning outcomes to % of Programs_______ List the certificate/degree programs for Student Learning all the courses and other which mapping expected programmatic Outcomes to learning experiences (i.e. work student learning outcomes to all the Courses experience, internships, co- courses required to complete the curricular, etc.) required to certificate/degree program is complete. complete the certificate and degree programs? 8. Has the college identified Defining appropriate assessment Assessment of methodologies for the % of Programs_______ Expected Student programmatic expected List the programs for which identification of Learning student learning outcomes, appropriate assessment methodologies for Outcomes including summative courses required to complete the assessments where certificate/degree is complete. appropriate? 813 814 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 26 815 Part II: Student Learning Outcomes for Programs leading to Certificates and Degrees 816 Yes No Percentage (%) of all Courses/Programs courses/programs 9. Has the college assessed Assessing Student expected student learning List the certificate/degree programs for Learning outcomes for all courses % of which assessment of expected student Outcomes required to complete the Programs_______ learning outcomes for all courses required certificate and degree to complete the certificate/degree program programs? is complete. 10. Has the college analyzed List the certificate/degree programs for Analyzing the assessment results for all % of which analyzing assessment results for the Results of courses required to complete Programs________ expected student learning outcomes is Assessment the certificate and degree complete. programs? 11. Using assessment results, has Planning and the college planned and implementing implemented changes to % of List the certificate/degree programs for changes to pedagogy, facilities, etc. to Programs which the college has used assessment pedagogy, improve learning for all results to plan and make changes to improve facilities, etc. to certificate/degree programs? learning; and describe the changes improve learning. implemented. 817 818 819 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 27 820 821 Part III: Student Learning Outcomes for General Education Percentage (%) of all Courses/Programs Yes No Courses/Programs 12. Has the college defined expected Defining student learning outcomes for % of Courses________ List the general education courses for which Expected general education ? identification of expected student learning Student outcomes is complete. Learning Outcomes 13. Has the college mapped expected Mapping of general education student List the general education courses for which Programmatic learning outcomes to all the % of Courses________ mapping expected student learning Student courses and other experiences outcomes to the expected general education Learning (i.e. co-curricular, service student learning outcomes is complete. Outcomes to learning, etc.) required to Courses complete the general education requirements of the institution? 14. Has the college identified Defining appropriate assessment List the general education courses for which Assessment of methodologies for the expected % of Courses________ identification of appropriate assessment Expected student learning outcomes in methodologies for defined expected student Student general education courses? learning outcomes is complete. Learning Outcomes 15. Has the college assessed student List the general education courses for which Assessing learning outcomes for all courses assessment of expected student learning Student in general education? % of Courses________ outcomes is complete. Learning Outcomes Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 28 Part III: Student Learning Outcomes for General Education Has the college analyzed 16. assessment results for all courses List the general education courses for which Analyzing the in general education? analyzing assessment results for the defined Results of % of Courses________ expected student learning outcomes is Assessment complete. 17. Using assessment results, has the Planning and college planned and implemented List the general education courses for which implementing changes to pedagogy, facilities, the college has used assessment results to changes to etc. to improve learning for all % of Courses________ plan and make changes to improve learning; pedagogy, general education courses? and describe the changes implemented. facilities, etc. to improve learning. 822 823 824 825 826 827 828 829 830 831 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 29 832 833 Part IV: Student Learning Outcomes for Instructional Support and Student Support Services 834 Percentage (%) of all Courses/Programs Yes No Courses/Programs 18. Has the college defined expected % of Instructional List the instructional support courses or Defining student learning outcomes for Support Courses or other other experiences for which identification Expected Student instructional support ( i.e. library experiences________ of expected student learning Learning and learning resources, tutoring, outcomes is complete. Outcomes etc.) ? % of Student Support List the student support services courses or Services Courses or other experiences for which identification Has the college defined expected other experiences of expected student learning outcomes is student learning outcomes for ________ complete.. student support services? 19. Has the college mapped Mapping of expected instructional support List the instructional support services Programmatic student learning outcomes to all % of Instructional courses or other learning experiences for Student Learning the courses and other Support Courses or other which mapping expected instructional Outcomes to experiences ( i.e. co-curricular, experiences _______ support student learning outcomes is Courses service learning, etc.).? complete. Has the college mapped % of Student Support List the student support services courses or expected student support Services Courses or other learning experiences for which services student learning other experiences mapping expected student support services outcomes to all the courses and ________ student learning outcomes is complete. other experiences ( i.e. co-curricular, service learning, etc.).? Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 30 835 Part IV: Student Learning Outcomes for Instructional Support and Student Support Services 836 Percentage (%) of all Courses/Programs Yes No Courses/Programs 20. Has the college identified % of Instructional List the instructional support courses or Defining appropriate assessment Support Courses or other experiences for which identification Assessment of methodologies for the expected other experiences of appropriate assessment methodologies Expected Student student learning outcomes in ________ for defined expected student learning Learning instructional support courses or outcomes is complete. Outcomes other experiences? List the student support services courses or Has the college identified % of Student Support other experiences for which identification of appropriate assessment Services Courses or appropriate assessment methodologies for methodologies for the expected other experiences defined expected student learning outcomes student learning outcomes in ________ is complete. student support services courses or other learning experiences? 21. Has the college assessed student % of Courses or other List the instructional support courses or Assessing learning outcomes for all courses experiences in other learning experiences for which Student Learning or other experiences in Instructional assessment of expected student learning Outcomes instructional support? Support_________ outcomes is complete. Has the college assessed student % of Courses or other List the student support services courses or learning outcomes for all courses experiences in Student other learning experiences for which or other experiences in student Support Services assessment of expected student learning support services? _________ outcomes is complete. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 31 837 Part IV: Student Learning Outcomes for Instructional Support and Student Support Services 838 Percentage (%) of all Courses/Programs Yes No Courses/Programs Has the college analyzed % of Courses or other List the instructional support courses or 22. assessment results for all courses learning experiences in other learning experiences for which Analyzing the or other learning experiences in instructional analyzing assessment results for student Results of instructional support? support?________ learning outcomes is complete. Assessment Has the college analyzed % of Courses or other List the student support services courses or assessment results for all courses learning experiences in other learning experiences for which or other learning experiences in student support services? analyzing assessment results for student student support services? ________ learning outcomes is complete. 23. Using assessment results, has the List the instructional support courses or Planning and college planned and % of Courses or other other learning experiences for which the implementing implemented changes to learning experiences in college has used assessment results to plan changes to pedagogy, facilities, etc. to Instructional and make changes to improve learning; and pedagogy, improve learning for all Support?________ describe the changes implemented. facilities, etc. to instructional support courses or improve other learning experiences? learning. Using assessment results, has the List the student support services courses or college planned and other learning experiences for which the implemented changes to college has used assessment results to plan pedagogy, facilities, etc. to and make changes to improve learning; and improve learning for all student % of Courses or other describe the changes implemented support services courses or other learning experiences in learning experiences? Student Support Services? ________ 839 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 32 840 Appendix B 841 Survey Participants Q1_How long have you been SLO College coordinator? Q2_How many years does your role as SLO Coordinator last? Allan Hancock College 3 yrs tbd Allan Hancock College 1.5 years 2 years Antelope Valley College 10 Months Two Barstow Community College Informally for 5 y This has not been Berkeley City College 2 years indefinite right now Butte-Glenn Community College 6 months indeterminate Canada College 2.5 years indefinite? Cerritos College 2 years not yet defined Cerro Coso Community College 4 months Not sure Chaffey two years ongoing - year-by-year Chaffey College 3 Years ends this year Citrus College 3 years (informally) 3 years Coastline Community College 2+ years Indefintely College of Alameda 0, would like to be Unknown College of San Mateo 2 years undetermined CC Chairs serve 2-year terms--thought they may be asked to College of the Redwoods Curriculum Committee Chair, 4 years. serve more than one term College of the Sequoias April 2004 no limit College of the Siskiyous 2 years forever Contra Costa College 2 months 2 yrs plus possible 2 more years Cosumnes River College 2 years not defined Crafton Hills College Since Sept. 2006 Now until eternity Cuesta College 1 year annual reappointment Cuyamaca College 3 years Not sure--at least one more year Cypress College Facilitator since spring 2004 three years Diablo Valley College Two years* Ends this term El Camino Community College 1 semester; this is my second semester indefinite Feather River College 2 years Not sure Foothill College 2 months 2 years Folsom College One semester 2 years Glendale Community College since August 2005 2 Glendale Community college 2 years Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 33 Q1_How long have you been SLO College coordinator? Q2_How many years does your role as SLO Coordinator last? Golden West College 2years yearly terms Grossmont College 1 year I year Hartnell College 1 year open-ended Imperial Valley College 6 months Not determined L.A. Harbor 2 yrs. Negociated with senate and president LA City College 3 years Through Assessment/Improvement, around 2009? Lake Tahoe Community College 9 months not determined yet 3? Laney College 1.5 years Don't know Las Positas College since June 2006 2 years Lassen College 1 month June 2007 Long Beach City College 2 years Los Angeles Southwest College 3 years no existing limita Los Angeles Valley College 1 semester 2 years Merritt College 6 years This is not an official role. Mira Costa 2.5 years possibly up to 6 years Mission College 1.5 years indefinite Modesto Junior College 2 years Until May Monterey Peninsula College unofficially 5 years or so don't know Mt. San Antonio College 2 1/2 years 3 Mt. San Jacinto College 20 months annual appointments Napa Valley College three years until Sept. 2008 North Orange County Non-Credit Oxnard 1.5 years 5 years Palo Verde College not apply not apply Palomar Community College 1 year 2 years Pasadena City College 3 months not sure Pierce College 6 months not specified Reedley College Curric. Chair, 1 and .5 years curric chair is yearly position Rio Hondo College 1 1/2 years indefinite Riverside Community College District three years indefinitely San Bernardino Valley College 0 NA San Diego City College 2 years on-going San Diego City College 4 years Eternity Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 34 Q1_How long have you been SLO College coordinator? Q2_How many years does your role as SLO Coordinator last? San Diego Mesa College 18 months 2 not officially coordinator--chair the Teaching learning Committee, which i created at a sub-committee od teh Santa Ana College 5 years Curriculum and Instruction Council, which I chair Santa Monica College 2 years Indefinate Santa Monica College since Summer 2005 3 years Santa Rosa Junior College 1.5 years 2 Santiago Canyon college 4 yrs. 5 Shasta College NA NA Sierra College 3 years Indefinitely Solano Community College Southwestern College 3 years unknown Southwestern College 3 years unknown Victor Valley College 3 months undefined West Hills College 1 year until I tell them I'm not doing it any more! West Hills College-Lemoore approx. 1 year undecided at this West Los Angeles College 2 years 2 years Yuba College Three Years Good Question Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 35 Appendix C Survey and Non-Narrative Results Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) COORDINATORS/LEADERS SURVEY Name _ _________________College ___________________ Contact Phone Number _ ______ E-mail _____________________________ 1. How long have you been an SLO Coordinator and/or SLO Committee Chair? Table 1: How long have you been SLO Coordinator/Chair? Time Number 0-1 semester 14 1 semester-1.5 years 19 2 – 4 years 37 5-6 years 4 No answer 6 Total Respondents 80 2. How many years does your role as SLO Coordinator last? Table 2- How many years does your role as SLO Coordinator last? Length of Assignment Number 1year 5 2 years 13 3 years 4 5 - 6 years 3 Indefinite or Not Determined 39 Unofficial role or Other such as chair for another committee 4 that covers SLOs also Answers indicating position end date but no term length 6 Not Applicable 2 No Answer 4 Total Respondents 80 3. How much reassigned time does your SLO position provide? Comments:______________________________________________________________ __________________ 4. How is the SLO Coordinator/Chair selected? Table 3 – How were you appointed to the position of SLO coordinator? Appointed by an administrator 17 Appointed or elected by the academic senate 16 Volunteered 8 Appointment was made by a committee, e.g. SLO or 8 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 36 accreditation committee Appointment was unique or unclear 8 Morphed into SLO role as part of another committee, e.g 6 accreditation or curriculum Appointed by the senate and administration 5 No process 4 No response or not applicable 8 Total Respondents 80 5. Are any particular criteria used in the selection process? No 29 Yes 35 No Response 16 Please explain: 6. What criteria were used to select the SLO Coordinator/Chair position? If the criteria and/or duties are documented, would you please enter them here? ________________________________________________________________________ 7. Please evaluate the status of your campus, in your opinion, regarding the following student learning outcomes and student learning outcomes assessment benchmarks. Use 1 = not yet begun; 2 = beginning to develop; 3= developed on most of the campus; 4 = developed campus-wide; 5 = well developed and integrated into campus decision-making Your opinion of your campus regarding: 1 2 3 4 5 Avg. A. Course Level SLOs 6 34 26 14 3 2.7 B. General Education SLOs 18 33 11 17 1 2.4 C. Student Support Services SLOs 5 36 17 21 2 2.7 D. Institutional SLOs 16 22 13 24 7 2.8 E. The role of Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) in accreditation 3 30 25 15 7 2.9 F. Assessing the outcomes 13 59 8 3 0 2.0 G. The role of assessment as an aid to instruction 16 55 8 4 0 2.0 H. The use of evidence to support student learning 22 47 10 3 0 1.9 I. Using assessment to create venues for dialogue 20 40 15 4 3 2.1 J. Level of faculty buy-in or participation 2 3 31 5 2 3.0 8. Would it benefit you to work with other SLO Coordinators throughout the state? Yes =8 No = 1 No Response = 1 Please explain how: 9. Which of the following would provide beneficial support to your role as an SLO coordinator? (Check all that apply) a statewide listserv for SLO Coordinators/Committee chairs=64 regional meetings for Coordinators/Committee chairs=63 planned training institutes for SLO Coordinators/Committee chairs=76 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 37 a web page dedicated to outcomes and assessment resources=76 coordinated networking with other SLO Coordinators/leaders=60 access to local experts (faculty, researchers, etc) that can facilitate workshops on your campus=66 10. List any other specific things that would provide support for your role as SLO Coordinator: 11. Which of the following training opportunities would assist you in your role as an SLO coordinator? Which would you be willing to assist others with? (Check all that apply) Want Give Want Give help help help help 10 33 writing student learning outcomes basics 44 7 general education outcomes 42 15 assessment basics 38 13 institutional outcomes 56 4 closing the assessment loop 59 5 documenting evidence 22 23 course outcomes 46 6 Developing quality dialogue 38 14 program outcomes 12. List any other specific training that would be beneficial. 13. Do you have any comments concerning how the Academic Senate of the California Community Colleges and the RP (Research, Planning, and Assessment) Group of the California Community Colleges can meet these needs other than those mentioned above? 14. Would your college be willing to host a regional meeting? Yes 39 No 20 15. Do you know of faculty who might be presenters or workshop leaders on discipline- based SLOs or particular assessment strategies? Who ____________________ On What ___________________ 16. On which of the following dates would you be able to attend a regional meeting to gather ideas for your training needs? 17. We have planned an SLO coordinators training event and retreat on beginning the morning of Wednesday July 11 at Loews Coronado Bay in San Diego. This is the day preceding the Academic Senate Curriculum Institute Plan to attend the SLO coordinators retreat beginning Wednesday=38 YES Plan to arrive Tuesday afternoon=27 YES Do you plan to stay for the rest of the ASCCC curriculum conference July 12-14=27 YES 18. Would your position at your college be identified as: Full-time faculty=77 Part-time faculty=1 Admin=4 Please refer to the ASCCC website for the complete results including open-ended narrative responses. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 38 Appendix D Sample SLO Coordinator Job Descriptions and Expectations Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 39 Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 40 Pasadena City College Faculty Coordinator(s) of Student Learning Outcomes To improve learning and teaching, the Faculty Coordinator(s) of Student Learning Outcomes will, in conjunction with the Student Learning Outcomes Steering Committee and the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) Division Council, provide both guidance and leadership in ensuring the development, assessment, and review of SLOs at the course, program, and institutional levels. The coordinator(s) will be given a total of 100% reassigned time for the first year (ten months) of the assignment. At the end of the year the responsibilities of the coordinator(s) (listed below), the amount of time reassigned, and the length of the assignment will be reevaluated. The position(s) is/are open to all full-time tenured faculty members beginning the spring semester 2006. The coordinator(s) will be evaluated at the end of the fall semester 2006, by a committee composed of six members: the chairs of the SLO Steering Committee; the division dean and faculty member representing the Division Council on the SLO Steering Committee; and the Chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee (C and I). The position(s) of the coordinator(s) is/are within the responsibility of the Office of the President. The coordinator(s) will report monthly to the chairs of the SLO Steering Committee. Each faculty member applying will submit a letter indicating interest in the position and a resume in which he/she describes experience and education that qualify the applicant for the position. A committee composed of the chairs of the SLO Steering Committee (Vice President of Student and Learning Services, Vice President of Instruction, and President of the Academic Senate), the division dean and faculty member representing the Division Council on the SLO Steering Committee, the Chair of the C and I, and one faculty member appointed by the Academic Senate shall determine the successful applicant. Responsibilities: 1. Communication: a. Serve as a member of the SLO Steering Committee and as a member of C and I (resource) and as a liaison between/among the Steering Committee, the Division Council, the C and I, CAPM, and the Academic Senate Board.; b. Work on campus to promote SLOs as basic to the learning process. c. Serve as liaison and collaborate with non-instructional departments of the college as they develop SLOs. d. Work with faculty, deans, and administration to support the incorporation of SLOs and their assessment into the planning and program review processes. 2. Planning and implementation: a. Provide training opportunities for C and I so that its members have the knowledge to assess course and program student learning outcomes as they are presented to C and I for review. b. Encourage all faculty to be involved in the SLO process by: 1) Coordinating with the Academic Senate Faculty Development Committee to plan and implement formal and informal SLO and assessment development opportunities; 2) Planning and implementing SLO development activities specifically for adjunct faculty; 3) Serving as a resource for faculty, individually and collectively, as they develop written SLOs, assessment tools, evaluation processes, and data analysis for feedback Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 41 to improve each course and program, while ensuring the institutional SLOs are addressed. 4) Encouraging collaboration within and across departments/divisions. c. Work with the Institutional Planning and Research Office to develop institutional, program, and course SLO assessment data that can be used to improve learning and teaching , demonstrate linkages between/among the three SLO levels, and provide evidence of institutional effectiveness. 3. Resource Development and Usage a. Prepare an annual report/presentation that provides a summary, evaluation, and documentation of progress made on campus towards the integration of institutional, program, and course SLOs, and their assessment, into both the college's curricular and co-curricular areas. b. Collaborate with the Library and Media Center to create and maintain a collection of SLO and assessment resources. c. Stay current in SLO scholarship, including appropriately attending conferences, and ensure that SLO information is disseminated effectively through the campus community. d. Coordinate with the web developer to ensure that the college's SLO website is maintained to reflect the current state of SLOs on campus. e. Maintain a SLO office Desired Qualifications 1. Demonstrated knowledge of written SLOs and the SLO assessment and review process. 2. Demonstrated involvement in SLO activities, including off-campus conferences . 3. Demonstrated good organizational skills with experience in planning and coordinating activities, especially on campus. 4. Ability to work with various campus constituencies in planning, assessing, and reviewing SLOs. 5. Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills 6. Familiarity with office management: budgeting, supervisory, and record-keeping skills. 7. Commitment to ensuring that student learning outcomes are woven into the fabric of the college's learning process at every level. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 42 Sample SLO Coordinator Job Description Skyline College Prospectus on Student Learning Outcomes Coordination Introduction Skyline College has taken some initial steps toward developing and implementing Student Learning Outcomes at the course, program and college level. Division faculty and staff have held initial conversations regarding the new accreditation standards and the implications for curriculum and program development. The curriculum committee incorporated the content in the program review workshops to encourage faculty to incorporate student learning outcomes in their revised course outlines and their overall program review. The Curriculum Committee has revised the new course outline format and form to require student learning outcomes be included with the submission of new courses. Teams of faculty and administrative staff have participated in two University of California Convocations that introduced student learning outcomes and recommended approaches to implementation. A campus-wide forum was held to introduce the dialogue, generate interest and participation in the dialogue and provide an opportunity for inquiry regarding student learning outcomes, their etiology and the academic, social and political forces that accompany the nationwide accountability and assessment movement that resulted in the incorporation of student learning outcomes in the accreditation standards. A retreat of instructional and student service administrators and the Academic Senate President resulted in a collection of ideas on how to approach the large undertaking. Need One of the overall recommendations includes the appointment of an SLO Taskforce Chair. The chair would serve as a central point of campus-wide coordination of the activities necessary to expand the dialogue, implement the many ideas toward student learning outcomes and coordinate with existing efforts (such as faculty and staff development) to effectively implement student learning outcomes at Skyline College. Duties and Responsibilities of Student Learning Outcomes Coordinator Provide overall coordination and leadership for the SLO Taskforce to: Increase the awareness of the standards and expectations of student learning outcomes in the accrediting process at the college. Develop processes used to facilitate the development of student learning outcomes at the course, program and college level. Consider existing processes in order to place student learning outcomes at the center of the college's key processes and allocation of resources. Develop processes to assist the college to demonstrate its overall effectiveness in student learning outcomes and institutional and program performance in collaboration with responsible faculty and administration. Implement processes that will increase and enhance the communication and exchange of information during the campus-wide dialogue of student learning outcomes Collaborate with the Director of Planning and Research to address the approach to institutional assessment of student learning outcomes. Outcome Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 43 The successful outcome of implementing this position will be: A successful campus-wide dialogue on student learning outcomes. Student learning outcomes at the course, program and college levels. Institutional assessment of student learning outcomes. Process The Academic Senate has been asked to recommend one or more faculty members that have the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities to the Vice President of Instruction. In consultation with the Vice President of Student Services, a recommendation will be forwarded to the President. Compensation The faculty member will receive 40% reassigned time to serve as the coordinator of the Student Learning Outcomes Coordinator. Line of Reporting The Student Learning Outcomes Coordinator will work under the auspices of the Office of Instruction and report to the Vice President of Instruction. Sample SLO Coordinator Job Description Cabrillo College Learning Outcomes Assessment Coordinator Position Job Responsibilities 1. Train all Cabrillo faculty through on-going flex workshops (3-4 per each flex week – see attached list) and division and departmental meetings and individual sessions to: Assess class, program and institutional SLOs (the Core 4). Write SLOs for individual courses, degrees and certificates. Create assessment plans for occupational programs. Create rubrics to assess student work. Use assessment data in Instructional Planning. 2. Work intensively with departments undergoing Instructional Planning through departmental meetings and individual sessions to: Write SLOs for courses and occupational programs. Assess course and program SLOs and the Core 4. Use assessment data for planning. Example: the LOAC met with 75% of the groups who just completed Instructional Planning in sessions separate from the flex week trainings listed in #1 to help with at least one of above activities (and sometimes all): Etech, English, ESL, Geography, Meteorology, Learning Skills, Theatre Arts, Dance, CABT and History. 3. Work intensively with areas of Instruction that do not fall into already developed assessment modes to develop assessment plans, methods and reporting forms. Example: The LOAC helped Learning Skills develop assessment plans and the forms to record them for both its classes and its services through several individual sessions with the program chair. Example: The LOAC worked with the English program chair to develop assessment plans for the Writing Center. 4. Problem-solve issues that emerge through Instructional Planning assessment activities and present solutions to appropriate bodies. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 44 Example: When problems arose about the assessment of GE courses that comprise occupational degrees, the LOAC met with several occupational programs chairs individually, then worked with a small committee to propose a solution, met with the Occupational Council for approval of the solution and presented it for approval to CIP. Example: This semester, when departments who had just completed Instructional Planning found it difficult to begin their next assessment cycle immediately, the LOAC prepared a revision of the Instructional assessment cycle (the Revolving Wheel of Assessment) that will soon be presented to CIP for approval. 5. Serve on CIP. Read all plans. Work with any program chairs whose SLO portions of the plan need revising Example: The LOAC will meet individually with the CEM chair to write SLOs for all that programs certificates. Example: The LOAC will meet with the ETECH chair to revise one program SLO. 6. Work with faculty to revise SLOs in all course proposals seeking approval from the Curriculum Committee. Convene the SLO Subcommittee of the Curriculum Committee to evaluate all SLOs in courses before the Curriculum Committee each semester (currently ranging from 150-300 courses each time). Present suggestions for revision to the faculty who originated the course; work with them through individual sessions to complete those revisions. Write a report each semester that includes each course, its status and revision activities and present it to Curriculum Committee. 7. Educate the college community about SLO matters. Plan Flex activities to present assessment plans and get feedback on them Example: Chewing on Learning Outcomes and Digesting Learning Outcomes flex workshops. Make presentations to Governing Board, both unions, Senates, Divisions and departments. Example: This semester's presentations on the SLO Assessment Review Committee, currently planned for the Governing Board, CPC, both Unions, both Senates and Instruction Council. 8. Finish campus assessment plan. Work intensively with those portions of the campus that do not yet have assessment plans (President's component and Student Services) to develop them. Write descriptions of all new plans. 9. Produce materials for SLO web page. Prepare campus assessment plan for web posting. Revise training manuals to reflect current plans and to use current examples. Produce a training manual for Student Services assessment. Write any sections of the web page that are currently missing. 10. Assist with Accreditation Activities. Chair the Theme Team. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 45 Serve as a resource for any standard team writing about SLOs. Scrutinize portions of the self-study that deal with SLOs to check for accuracy and evidence. Write an introductory chapter that details Cabrillo's history with SLOs. Write a final chapter that deals with Cabrillo's dialogue practices and the results of the survey about it. 11. Work with non-Instructional portions of the college (Student Services, Administrative Services and the Library) to: Conduct assessments using appropriate assessment tools. Use assessment results in departmental planning. Example: the LOAC met with Library staff to develop assessment plans, produce an assessment calendar and look at assessment results. 12. Create reporting forms for all assessment activities on campus. Produce forms for Instruction, Student Services, Library and Administrative Services and present them for approval to appropriate bodies. Attempt to maintain some consistency in format and reporting. 13. Provide oversight for all campus assessment activities. Convene and chair, SLO Assessment Review Committee, beginning Fall 2006. Read campus assessment reports from all departments going through Instructional Planning or Departmental Review in Instruction, Student Services, Administrative Services (Business Services, President's Component and administrative areas of Instruction) and the Library (approximately 20 per year). Assemble and copy those reports for committee members; provide analysis. Write yearly report on campus assessment activities and present it to the Governing Board, CPC, Master Planning Committee, both Senates, both Unions, and other campus bodies. Archive these assessment materials for accreditation. Initiate dialogue process when needed: o Assemble evidence for 2-3 think tanks. o Write up think-tank findings. o Facilitate 2 campus forums. o Write up forum results in a report. o Present the report to the Governing Board, CPC, Master Planning Committee, both Senates, both unions, and other campus bodies. 14. Produce the annual Transfer Lunch Coordinate with Student Services, the Student Senate and the Transfer Center to fund, plan, publicize, cater and emcee the program. 15. Serve on Master Planning Committee. Provide overview on campus assessment activities and data for planning. 16. Archive all campus assessment activities. Keep written records. Archive activities on SLO web site. 17. Assist with Production of the Cabrillo Festival (whenever it happens). Coordinate activities with all departments. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 46 Help all those involved in producing the event to fund, plan, publicize, and hold this new assessment activity. Timeline August 2006 Convene SLO Assessment Review Committee. June 2007 Finish campus assessment plan. June 2008 Finish initial materials for SLO web page. October 2008 Finish assisting with Accreditation Activities. June 2010 Finish work with the final departments assessing and writing SLOs for the first time as part of their Instructional Planning process and presenting those plans to CIP. June 2010 Finish work with the final departments in Students Services, the Library, and Administrative Services assessing services for the first time as part of their departmental review process (This date is only an estimate as all components have not yet made up a schedule for departmental review and assessment). Sample SLO combined Job Desciption Cosumnes River College The CASSL faculty leader works under the Dean of Research and Planning on all CASSL tasks, which include SLO development as well as other functions. The roles and functions of CASSL are defined in the CASSL program review as follows: Center for the Advancement of Staff and Student Learning (CASSL) Roles and functions of the Program: 1. Campus Data- Institutional research development: Development of research providing data that will assist college staff in planning campus processes and improving the teaching/learning environment of CRC. The key functions of CASSL in this context will be to (1) disseminate the results of campus research to faculty members for use in activities such as program review and SLO assessment, and (2) train interested faculty to conduct practitioner-based campus research activates. 2. Professional Development – Linking research to PD and facilitating PD activities as recommended by the PD Committee: Support for professional development for all CRC staff that will assist college staff in improving the teaching/learning environment of CRC. This role has been filled by a variety of groups, most notably the Professional Development Committee along with efforts from several other sources (e.g. the Curriculum Committee). CASSL will assist in the overall coordination of these efforts. The key functions of CASSL in this context will be (1) Initiate professional development activities that link educational research and teaching practitioners, (2) Facilitate ongoing professional development activities in conjunction with the Professional Development Committee. 3. Educational Research – Information dissemination: The information from broad-based educational research sources can assist college staff in improving the teaching/learning environment of CRC. This is a new role that is currently occurring only as the result of occasional individual efforts. The CASSL will develop this role at the college by reviewing current educational research and disseminating summaries of relevant information to campus staff. We expect that CASSL will assist staff in finding and using information about the college, our students, our jobs, and ourselves by (1) providing professional Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 47 development on topics that will all staff to engage in effective interactions with students and colleagues, for example topics related to cultural competence and the use of SLOs, (2) assisting staff in finding and understanding information from external sources relevant to the improvement of the teaching/learning environment, for example by exploring model programs supporting cultural competence or assessing SLOs and (3) assisting the college in developing a research- based approach to the improvement of the college processes. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 48 Appendix E Training Needs Accumulated from the SLO Survey and Regional Meetings Training Needs from SLO Survey and Regional Meeting Focus Groups Assessment Different models for different courses/programs How to assess, especially beyond the course level; assessing institutional and general education outcomes Discipline specific and occupational outcomes. Discussions on movement from course level to program and then to AA/AS More training specifically focused on student services. Coordinating academic SLOs with Non-instructional and Student Services. Institutional Effectiveness Models Tips on accounting SLOs, Tips on how SLOs relate to grading system. Process and strategies How to work our way through the SLO assessment and instructional improvement cycle. 1) Models of the process used by other colleges would be helpful 2) Discussion of the challenges and opportunities faced in outcomes development would be helpful Strategies for successful implementation Establishing realistic and meaningful timelines (assessment) to achieve "full" coverage--and how to define "full" Work on accumulating data and assessing outcomes. What are quick easy methods which can be tied to grading and still cost and time efficient in our overworked understaffed system? How to institutionalize the process Analysis of common issues or themes and strategy development at all levels of the SLO paradigm, identifying resource tracks for disciplines and services A written outline of how some of the colleges have begun the process and any pitfalls they encountered. A kind of manual to follow, written by those who are a few steps ahead of us The organization of evidence. Training about how best to present findings and conclusions Training for ACCJC compliant models of assessment, Linkage with accreditation/Self-Study. Working with faculty How to overcome faculty fears of SLOs as evaluation tools. To help faculty buy-in, I would love to hear of examples where the SLO process actually benefited faculty. What benefits are there to faculty for engaging in this process? I need some specific (real) examples not theories. 2. A glossary of terms. Faculty/Staff "buy-in" and strategies to get them involved in SLOs. I would like to know more about approaches to taking the activities college-wide. How to do an all-college Flex Day training. How to begin with individual departments regarding courses. How to promote and support ongoing attention by departments/programs. How do I convince faculty who are accustomed to just teaching their classes and then leaving -- that developing and assessing program outcomes are a worthwhile activity? Successful strategies for getting faculty to follow-through with agreed-upon assessments documentation and use of results Tools for Assessment Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Coordinators 9/23/2007 Page 49 *ePortfolios: specifics about the technology and practical tips for implementing use of portfolios for program and degree-level SLO documentation *Classroom responders (clickers) and their use in assessing and tracking SLOs *Technology solutions to facilitate course, program, and degree-level tracking An opportunity to find out more about nationally normed GE assessments - even to have a side-by-side comparison of various features offered by the handful of assessments available Resources on program, general education, and institutional outcomes is of interest. I think all SLO coordinators need to get savvy about institutional data and its uses for outcomes purposes. I'm going to try to take some online classes in institutional research next year (via Penn State) while I'm on sabbatical, and I'm asking some of our researchers to give me some training in understanding IPEDS data, SPSS software, etc. Training of Trainers Training on how to give workshops and writing rubrics Different levels of SLOAC would need different levels of training. Make available training for varying levels of coordinators.
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