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A core function of any
university is the production of student learning. Courses, curricula, and
teaching techniques all contribute to a complex array of student learning
outcomes (SLO). The purpose of this committee is to coordinate across the
various levels of SLO assessment to support and assure continual assessment and
improvement of student learning.
Key Assumptions and Goals
- Each degree,
concentration, and minor has a group of faculty members who assume
responsibility for the curriculum and the integrity of the degree or
program.
- Most degrees,
concentrations, and minors have faculty committees within departments or
schools. Some interdisciplinary programs have specially constituted faculty
groups. The general education requirements fall under the responsibility of
the Faculty Senate and its designated committees.
- In all cases, the faculty
groups with responsibility for the degree, working collaboratively with
administrators, share responsibility for the assessment of student learning
outcomes for the program, the review of the assessment information, and the
use of that information to improve the programs as appropriate.
Membership
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the three associate
provosts
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an associate dean, or other
designee, appointed by each dean (including the Honors College)
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the chair of the Academic
Affairs Committee of the Senate
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five faculty nominated by
the Senate and reflecting diverse disciplines (performing arts, humanities,
social sciences, technical sciences, professional schools)
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Director of the Office of
Institutional Studies
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the committee will be
co-chaired by the Director of the Office of Institutional Studies and the
chair of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Senate.
Committee Charge and
Timeline
The Director of the Office
Institutional Studies, in collaboration with the Committee, will take
responsibility for organizing all student learning outcomes assessment and
documentation (see College Annual Reporting below) and, in turn, identify areas
of excellence and needed assistance. The Committee will meet quarterly to
develop and implement a process to support the assessment and use of student
learning outcomes for improved learning at the various programmatic levels. The
Committee will also work with IT and others as necessary to develop department
friendly ways of organizing, documenting, displaying, and storing information.
Each September, the Committee will prepare a report that includes (a) the status
of the process and documentation for each program, (b) challenges encountered
and support needed/provided, and (c) recommendations toward effecting the full
implementation of outcomes-based assessment at UMaine.
The Committee will prepare a
draft plan of action for the Provost by March 2008.
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College Annual Reporting
Each college was asked to
provide the following report by the end of the Fall semester:
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Goals and
student learning outcomes for all degree programs in the unit
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For each
degree program, (a) the assessment plan for student learning outcomes, (b)
the results of assessments, (c) evidence
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of review
of assessment results by the unit, and (d) evidence of the use of assessment
results for program improvement
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Evidence
that curricula are periodically reviewed and revised as needed to maintain
currency in the discipline and program
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quality
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All
course syllabi (note that syllabi should explicitly list the student
learning outcomes associated with the course)
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A matrix
for each degree program showing the relationship of courses in the program
to the program’s student learning outcomes and, if applicable, to general
education student learning outcomes
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The two
year schedule of course offerings
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Study
plans for each degree program (i.e., four-year plan of courses a student
would take to complete the degree on schedule)
Beginning in Summer 2008 and
every year thereafter, deans have been asked to provide the following as part of
their annual report:
- Report on oversight of
student learning outcomes assessment and improvement at the program and
college level
- For each degree program,
(a) the assessment plan for student learning outcomes, (b) the results of
assessments, (c) evidence of review of assessment results by the unit, and
(d) evidence of the use of assessment results for program improvement
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