Plan for Improved Student Learning and Assessment

Objectives

Assessment

• To communicate the purposes of student outcome assessment.
• To assist departments and colleges in the identification and delineation of academic program goals and objectives.
• To assist in the selection of appropriate measures and methods for assessing student learning outcomes.
• To assist in the selection of measures of instructional effectiveness for faculty members.
• To analyze and communicate the results of assessments conducted by the Center.
• To sponsor the development and implementation of assessments and evaluation of majors and programs through seed grants, compensation for release time, the purchase of printed materials, tests and other measures and materials related to academic assessment.

Instructional Support

• To assist faculty members in preparing for University wide programs, goals and objectives.
• To assist faculty members in keeping abreast of new instructional techniques and delivery methods.
• To provide opportunities to learn and implement appropriate assessments and evaluations of courses, student learning outcomes, and teaching techniques, methods and instruments.
• To furnish faculty members with individualized consultation about teaching effectiveness and instructional delivery skills.

Activities of the Center support the Missouri State University mission. The mission statement for the University expresses a "three-fold mission to provide quality instruction, to further research and scholarly inquiry, and to provide service."

The University is committed to academic quality and the pursuit of excellence with the primary academic emphasis on the cultivation of a common foundation of knowledge in each student and the achievement of competence in a discipline through the completion of an academic major. To meet its public responsibility, the institution has an obligation to support the education and research priorities of the state and to assess the quality and effectiveness of its programs and services.

Assessment of student outcomes and academic programs responds to the University commitment to academic quality. Assessment plan emphasis on exit assessment in general education and the academic majors contributes to the University pursuit of a common foundation for all students with competence in a discipline.

Assessment of student outcomes and provision of resources for instructional support maintain quality levels and improve areas of concern. Results of the Center program aid faculty in adjusting teaching methods and curriculum content to improve student learning.

Providing results of assessment studies helps satisfy the University obligation to assess the quality and effectiveness of programs and services. Assessment results and collaboration with faculty members in the design and implementation of strategies to improve academic programs are important resources for quality instruction.

The Office of Academic Affairs maintains a system whereby policies and procedures are in place to ensure that both learning and teaching are effective activities assumed by members of the office. These activities include assessing students, assessing the quality of teaching, and assessing the work success of graduates and employer levels of satisfaction with the performance of graduates.