Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Faculty-developed undergraduate and graduate Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) have been in place and assessed at FGCU since 2012. Academic programs align SLOs and discipline-informed objectives supporting each Outcome with overarching goals for the program and with the University’s goals, which are informed by FGCU’s Mission. The figure below reflects the process of identifying SLOs, their assessment, and their alignment to overarching FGCU processes.
Assessment Alignment
FGCU’s academic programs are housed within five academic Colleges and two Schools. Colleges and Schools develop SLO assessment plans to meet program, College or School, University, and, in some cases, external accreditation goals. On an annual or biennial basis (as determined by each College or School), academic program faculty participate in the formal assessment of SLOs to continuously improve student achievement. This regular review of SLOs is reflected in the Figure below.
Assessment for Continuous Improvement
Student Learning Outcomes assessment and the continuous improvements that result from this assessment become part of the program’s Seven-Year Program Review cycle and reaffirmation of external accreditation processes.
A meta-assessment of the Internal review and feedback are the responsibility of the Assessment Council. The Council utilizes the rubric below to conduct a meta-assessment and provide collegial feedback to academic programs.
Student Assessment
The office coordinates a systematic process of external student and faculty surveys including participation in the the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), and Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Index (SSI) to gauge student involvement that is complemented by its own studies of such issues as retention, climate, and residential life.
Assessment Plans and Annual Plans and Reports are gathered into our assessment and accreditation management system (Helio Campus) to allow easier accountability reporting to the Assessment Council, Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability Council (IEAC), our University Board of Trustees, and our regional and professional accrediting organizations.
Questions about Student Assessment should be directed to Merri Incitti, Director, Assessment and Accreditation or Alexis Arnow, Coordinator II, Planning & Institutional Performance.
External Assessment Best Practice Resources
Assessment Institute in Indianapolis
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)
Institutional Surveys
Questions about Helio Campus to build new assessments or modify current assessments should be directed to Alexis Arnow, Coordinator II, Assessment and Accreditation or Merri Incitti, Director, Assessment and Accreditation.
Examples
- Rubric Building
- Assessment Mapping
- PowerPoint Created for CAS
