Student Outcomes Assessment at Harris-Stowe State University

The Hallmarks of Student Learning and Development [link: Hallmarks of Student Learning and Development] are the framework for student outcomes at Harris-Stowe State University.  Derived from the mission [link: HSSU Mission], the Hallmarks describe the University’s expectations for its graduating students.

Student learning outcomes assessment occurs at the institutional, program, course, and class levels for the purposes of accountability and improvement.  All academic programs and student support programs and services have developed and implemented assessment plans.  Planning materials include guidelines for academic units [link: SLOA guidelines] and for academic and student support units [link: SOA guidelines for student and academic services] and templates for the two areas [2 links: SLOA plan template, SOA plan template for student and academic services].

Each year, the Deans, Directors, and Chairs are asked to submit assessment reports that include:

• updated student outcomes assessment plans,
• summaries of the results of assessment activities, and
• changes made or planned as a result of assessment.

Assistance with Assessment

• Workshops are held each year to aid faculty and professional staff with activities related to assessment, such as developing effective student learning outcomes [link: Effective SLOs]. 
• TLA TIPS is an occasional newsletter with ideas on assessment. 
  Volume 1, Issue 1 dealt with student motivation and pre- and post-tests. [link: TLA TIPS March 2010 ]
  Volume 1, Issue 2 focused on using rubrics. [link: TLA TIPS May 2010]
• The Harris-Stowe Assessment Committee members [link: Assessment Committee Members 2009-2010] meet regularly [links: Assessment Committee Minutes 2-12-10; Assessment Committee Minutes 2-26-10; Assessment Committee Minutes 4-8-10] and are available to offer guidance with student learning outcomes assessment.