Program Evaluation and Outcomes Assessment: Channels to Quality Assurance February 9, 2008 ACCA 4 th National Conference Savannah, GA PRESENTER Laura A. Dean, Ph.D., NCC University of Georgia ACCA Representative to CAS
Jan 21, 2016
Program Evaluation and Outcomes Assessment:
Channels to Quality AssuranceFebruary 9, 2008
ACCA 4th National Conference
Savannah, GA
PRESENTER
Laura A. Dean, Ph.D., NCC
University of Georgia
ACCA Representative to CAS
Determining Quality in Higher Education
Rankings and Ratings Accreditation Licensure – Certification Follow-Up Studies Self-Studies Program Review/Evaluation Outcomes Assessment
Assessment/Evaluation/Research
Assessment is a snapshot of current data – what is happening?
Evaluation involves a judgment – is that good or does it need improvement?
Assessment & evaluation are focused on improvement of local situations
Research is designed to be generalizable to other settings
Program Evaluation
Is the program or service functioning effectively to achieve its mission?
What evidence is available to support the determination?
How is evidence used to make program decisions?
CAS as one tool for self-assessment of programs and services
Outcomes Assessment What is the effect of our work on students? How are they different as a result of
interacting with our programs or services? How do we demonstrate their learning? Need to develop measurable learning
outcomes Sources include CAS standards, Learning
Reconsidered, locally identified goals & outcomes
Comprehensive assessment plan
A comprehensive plan includes assessment of programs and services and of student outcomes
Outcomes are one element of a program evaluation
Why use CAS for program evaluation?
Nationally developed and endorsed standards
Approved by consortium of 35+ professional associations in higher ed.
Don’t reinvent the wheel – the work has been done for you
Materials support the process
CAS Standards Format 13 Component Parts
1. Mission 2. Program 3. Leadership 4. Organization & management 5. Human resources 6. Financial resources 7. Facilities, technology, & equipment 8. Legal responsibilities 9. Equity and access
10. Campus and community relations
11. Diversity12. Ethics13. Assessment & evaluation
Counseling Services Standard
& Guideline Example
STANDARDBOLD TYPE; AUXILIARY VERBS MUST & SHALLCounseling services must be a) intentional, b) coherent, c) based on theories and knowledge of counseling, learning, and human development, d) reflective of developmental and demographic profiles of the student population, and e) responsive to the needs of individuals within a higher education setting.
GUIDELINE LIGHT- FACED TYPE; AUXILIARY VERBS SHOULD & MAYCounseling services should provide consultation, supervision, and in-service professional development for faculty members, administrators, staff and student staff members, and
paraprofessionals.
The CAS SAG: A Self-Assessment Guide Translates CAS standards into an
effective workbook format
Promotes program self-assessment and development
Informs on program strengths and weaknesses
Supports professional staff development
Leads to enhanced student learning and development
Conducting the Self-Assessment Process: Team
Actions Decide whether to include guidelines or other
measures that go beyond the standards Gather and analyze relevant quantitative and
qualitative data Individuals rate each and every criterion measure Obtain additional documentary evidence if
required to make an informed team decision
Complete the assessment, ratings, & action plan worksheets
Criterion Measure Rating Scale
ND 1 2 3 4 NRNot Done Not met Minimally Well Fully Not Rated
Met Met Met
Using this scale, consider each criterion statement and decide…
•The extent to which each criterion measure has been met by the Counseling Service
Assessment Criteria Example
Part 6: FINANCIAL RESOURCESCounseling Services (CS) must have adequate funding to accomplish its mission and goals.
Funding priorities must be determined within the context of the stated mission, goals, objectives, and comprehensive analysis of the needs and capabilities of students and the availability of internal or external resources.
CS must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and cost effectiveness consistent with institutional protocols.
ND 1 2 3 4 NR Not Done Not Met Minimally Met Well Met Fully Met Not Rated
PART 6. FINANCIAL RESOURCES (Criterion Measures) Rating Scale NOTES6.1 The program has adequate funding to accomplish its mission and goals. ND 1 2 3 4 NR
6.2 Funding priorities are determined within the context of program mission, student needs, and available fiscal resources. ND 1 2 3 4 NR
6.3 The program demonstrates fiscal responsibility and cost effectiveness consistent with institutional protocols. ND 1 2 3 4 NR
Part 6: Financial Resources Overview Questions
A. What is the funding strategy for the program?
B. What evidence exists to confirm fiscal responsibility and cost-effectiveness?
Examples of Evaluative Evidence
STUDENT RECRUITMENT MATERIALS: Brochures & other program information Participation policies & procedures
PROGRAM DOCUMENTS: Mission statements; program purpose & philosophy statements Catalogs & related materials Staff & student manuals; policies & procedures statements
ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS: Organization charts; student & staff profiles Financial resource statements & budgets Annual reports
STAFF ACTIVITY REPORTS: Curriculum vitae & resumes; professional activity Service to other programs, departments, or community
STUDENT ACTIVITY REPORTS: Portfolios, developmental transcripts, resumes Reports of student service
RESEARCH & EVALUATION DATA: Needs assessments & self-studies Program evaluation; graduate & follow-up studies
Qualitative Data
Focus group information
Written summaries of responses to open-ended questions in interviews and on evaluations
Client satisfaction surveys, self-reports, and written comments, both solicited and unsolicited
Quantitative Data
Summaries of objective responses on a questionnaire or program evaluation
Statistics about use by students and various population subgroups
Needs assessments, follow-up studies, and self-study reports
Institutional research reports and fact books
Complete Each Work Form
Work Form A: Assessment, Ratings, and Significant Items
Work Form B: Follow-Up Actions
Work Form C: Summary Action Plan
Action Plan Components
Program Action Plans Identify responsible parties to
complete the action steps & timeline Summary action plan creates an
overview of the work to be done
PLAN For the Future
Closing the loop Purpose & scope of study is defined Self-study team is trained Self-study is conducted Evaluative evidence is collected Discrepancies are identified Appropriate actions are determined Special actions for program enhancement
are recommended Action plan is developed and communicated
Outcomes Assessment May be various kinds of outcomes Learning outcomes are the primary
emphasis of the field currently, driven by pressures for accountability
If goal is reaching more students, then tracking participation may be useful
Important to map desired outcomes to institutional mission, division mission & goals, department mission & goals
Map the linkages
Developing learning outcomes
Define the broad goal Define the objective Define the criteria Identify strategies Assess the results
Learning Outcomes Students will develop intrapersonal competence Students will demonstrate enhanced self-
esteem Students will recognize and demonstrate
appropriately assertive behavior Workshop on assertive behavior will be offered
twice this semester; attendance goal is 30 students total; attainment of the objective is defined as 80% of participants correctly identifying examples of assertiveness and being able to role-play successfully
continued
Assessing Outcomes Assessment:
Formative - recording % of participants who correctly identify examples and role-play successfully, as observed by workshop presenter
Summative - responses to an evaluation form that includes self-report of learning
Follow-up - observations, self-reports, or later survey
Program: Learning and Development Outcome Domains
Intellectual growth Effective communication Enhanced self-esteem Realistic self-appraisal Clarified values Career choices Leadership development Healthy behavior Meaningful interpersonal
relationships
Independence Collaboration Social responsibility Satisfying and
productive lifestyles Appreciating diversity Spiritual awareness Personal and educational
goals
Identify areas of focus for the program or service
Learning Reconsidered Outcome Domains Cognitive complexity Knowledge acquisition, integration,
& application Humanitarianism & interpersonal
competence Civic engagement Intrapersonal competence Practical competence
Frameworks for Assessing Learning and Development Outcomes
“FALDOs” – companion to CAS standards book
Chapters for each CAS learning outcome domain with a theoretical description of the domain (e. g., leadership development, social responsibility, career choices), assessment examples, list of possible instruments, and additional resources
Published as book & CD set
Where to start?? Start small Start doable Start narrow Start targeted Start.
One program, one workshop, one desired outcome, one measurement tool
Mapping Outcomes
In a more developed approach, a department or division may adopt a set of desired outcomes
Each specific department, program, etc. plays a role in contributing to the overall achievement
A chart can be developed to map where each of the desired outcomes will be targeted and assessed
The goal is not that everyone individually does everything; the goal is that everyone collectively addresses everything
Another approach is to develop a sequence of outcomes across several years, so that all are addressed in that span of time
Additional CAS Resources
www.cas.edu Standards book – revised in 2006
Prologue & Context with “How to” information CAS Statement of Shared Ethical Principles Characteristics of Individual Excellence Glossary & FAQs
FALDOs – book & CD formats as package SAGs – CD or individually