Plan for Improved Student Learning and Assessment

The Assessment Plan Development Process

The Center for Assessment and Instructional Support developed the Missouri State University (Missouri State University) student outcome assessment plan in consultation with the advisory council and academic units. The plan provides for assessment and for the application of the assessment results to promote continuous improvement in undergraduate and graduate education. The comprehensive plan incorporates a wide variety of approaches to accommodate the scope of the central general education mission and academic areas of the University.

Planned measurements assess outcomes relative to the intended objectives expressed in the Missouri State University mission statement and the objectives of academic units within the University. The academic units within the University developed plans which were coordinated with the Center plan to provide University wide student outcome assessment.

Placing the responsibility for plan development in academic units provided opportunities for wide participation and for adapting methods to academic fields. This method of organization relied on the expertise of those faculty members and administrators most knowledgeable about the academic areas. This responsibility placement also provided for the identification of ways that the resulting information could be applied to improve teaching and student learning. Coordination with the Center ensured that the plan met reporting requirements for the University and the academic units. In addition, the Center would be able to serve as a focal point for campus wide state of the art instructional practices.