Report Outline

Departmental assessment is an attempt 1) to set clear goals appropriate to an institution of our size, type, mission and resources, 2) to determine the means necessary to achieve these goals, 3) to determine if these goals are actually being achieved, and 4) to learn how we might be more successful at achieving these goals. Departmental reviews should be done every five years. The reports from them should be guided by the Strategic Plan and incorporate the following:

1. Report what you have learned from your last assessment and how you have acted upon what you learned.
2. Report what you have learned from your current assessment.
3. Review and revise if necessary the departmental curricular philosophy and goals as stated in the College Catalog.
4. Identify special initiatives for the next five-year period, including especially items that would contribute to the realization of the College's Strategic Plan.
5. Describe the departmental curriculum necessary to achieve your special initiatives, and your curricular and student learning goals.
6. Describe how your departmental curriculum depends on or facilitates other college curricula.
7. Determine what additional resources you need to achieve your goals.
8. Revise your assessment plan. Identify specific student learning goals and describe how you will measure the achievement of these goals.
9. The departmental assessment report should conclude with a summary paragraph that distinguishes its findings and recommendations according to the different offices and faculty committees empowered to act on them. For example, matters of curricular assessment should be directed to the Curriculum Committee. Recommendations relevant to the Strategic Plan should be directed to the Planning and Budget Committee. Recommendations about resources should be directed to the Provost's Office

The Assessment Committee and the Liaison to the Provost's Office will serve to help departments and programs develop assessment reports. It is advisable to seek the perspective of a faculty member outside the College who knows both the discipline and the institutional context to help the department think through the review. Funds are available from the Provost's Office to assist with the review.