Assessment Roadmap
The purpose is to foster a thoughtful and informed Concordia community by working to improve student learning.
Links
Spotlight on: Assessing Student Health
The ACHA-National College Health Assessment II (ACHA-NCHA II) is a national research survey organized by the American College Health Association (ACHA) to assist college health service providers, health educators, counselors and administrators in collecting data about their students' habits, behaviors and perceptions on the most prevalent health topics. In 2000, ACHA initiated the original ACHA-NCHA and the instrument was used nation-wide through the spring 2008 data collection period. The ACHA-NCHA now provides the largest known comprehensive data set on the health of college students, providing the college health and higher education fields with a vast spectrum of information on student health.
Director’s Notes
Last week, I was privileged to attend an assessment workshop presented by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). No doubt, some of you are wondering how I would consider an assessment workshop, especially one offered by HLC, as a privilege. However, my love of assessment coupled with the company of two great Concordia faculty members made the three days of assessment work both productive and enjoyable.
Did you know
The Office of Assessment has many resources available for you to use? Recent AACU publications added to our resources include the following: Assessing College Student Learning: Evaluating Alternative Models, Using Multiple Methods; Assessment in Cycles of Improvement: Faculty Designs for Essential Learning Outcomes; Assessing Outcomes and Improving Achievement: Tips and Tools for Using Rubrics; Five High-Impact Practices: Research on Learning Outcomes, Completion, and Quality. Contact Elaine Ackerman for more information.
Assessment Terminology
Alternative Assessment - Non-traditional forms of assessment; may include portfolios, observations, work samples, or group projects.
Assessment Humor
The following version has been provided by Mikel Olson -
A small child brags to her friend, "I taught my dog to whistle."
"Wow," says the other, "Let's hear!"
"Did you see that? He opened his mouth!" replies the first. "That's not whistling! I thought you said you taught him to whistle!"
"I did! I define whistling as opening of the lips and since I wrote the assessment instrument, the fact that he just opened his lips proves he can whistle and that I am a great teacher" said the first.
"Okay, I'll buy that. Just be sure you put all of your data into a 5-page report with lots of poorly defined assessment jargon and lots of graphs so we have plenty to talk about at all of our meetings," said the friend.
Assessment News
In his April 24, 2012 article entitled "Assessing Higher Education" found in the Other Views section of News & Observer, David Brooks writes:
"There's an atmosphere of grand fragility hanging over America's colleges. The grandeur comes from the surging application rates, the international renown, the fancy new dining and athletic facilities. The fragility comes from the fact that colleges are charging more money, but it's not clear how much actual benefit they are providing.
Upcoming assessment activities