One of the most durable lessons in the assessment literature is that meaningful program assessment is never the work of a single person or office. It depends on bringing many voices to the table and keeping them there. As the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) found in its study of institutions that use […]
Program assessment activities and data are intended to inform regular faculty reflection and discussion about teaching, learning, and curricula, ultimately contributing to decisions that support student learning. While assessment can provide valuable information about many aspects of a program, using evidence related to program-level student learning outcomes to inform decision-making is particularly important for supporting […]
Effective program-level assessment relies on meaningful evidence of student performance on program learning outcomes. Direct evaluation of authentic student work provides rich evidence of student learning while helping faculty identify opportunities to strengthen curriculum, instruction, and assignments. Recent work in the Department of Sociology offers an example of how faculty can develop and implement an […]
WSU’s undergraduate degree programs report annually on their system of assessing student learning, a practice begun in 2009. Again this year, ACE is providing 2025 annual undergraduate program assessment reporting summary dashboards for the university using Tableau, including a WSU-wide and College View and an Individual Program View, available to WSU employees (log-in required). A WSU-wide executive summary for […]
ACE is delighted to recognize Clif Stratton, Associate Professor in the Department of History, with the 2026 Assessment Champion Award in recognition of his sustained, exemplary contributions to undergraduate program assessment across multiple roles and at multiple levels of the university. The Assessment Champion Award honors faculty and staff members who promote meaningful undergraduate program […]
Effective program-level assessment is grounded in clear learning outcomes, aligned measures, and intentional use of results to support student learning. Recent work in the Department of Anthropology offers a strong example of how faculty-led assessment can drive meaningful improvements in curriculum design, instructional practice, and student engagement. Five practices in particular stand out: revising student […]
Key principles of effective program-level assessment include intentionally aligning activities and measures with program-level student learning outcomes (SLOs) and engaging faculty in meaningful reflection and decision-making. When these elements are in place, assessment becomes more than a reporting requirement—it becomes a tool for continuous improvement that supports student learning and curricular coherence. The School of […]
Effective degree programs are guided by clearly defined program-level student learning outcomes (SLOs), or the core skills and knowledge that students are expected to achieve upon successful completion of the degree program or major, which help faculty design an intentional and coherent curriculum and undergraduate educational experience. At WSU, undergraduate programs and faculty are responsible […]
WSU’s undergraduate degree programs report annually on their system of assessing student learning, a practice begun in 2009. Again this year, ACE is providing 2024 annual undergraduate program assessment reporting summary dashboards for the university using Tableau, including a WSU-wide and College View and an Individual Program View, available to WSU employees (log-in required). A WSU-wide executive summary for […]
The Office of Assessment for Curricular Effectiveness (ACE) and the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) are delighted to recognize Samantha Swindell, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences and Career Track Professor in the Department of Psychology, with the inaugural Assessment Champion Award. Presented at the DAESA […]