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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Outcomes Assessment Advisory Committee (OAAC)?
- The Outcomes Assessment Committee is composed of faculty representatives from the schools and colleges and is given the responsibility of guiding programs at UCD in putting in place an outcomes assessment system.
- What is "outcomes assessment"?
- Outcomes assessment refers to the process of having programs:
- identify what they want their students to know and be able to do;
- draw on a variety of assessments to measure student learning; and
- use their assessment of student learning information to inform program improvement and advance student learning.
- Why is outcomes assessment important?
- Outcomes assessment is important for both accountability and improvement purposes. The university is accountable to the profession and to the public, and especially to students and their parents. Information about student learning collected through the outcomes assessment process provides all stakeholders with a way to evaluate the quality of university programs. High quality outcomes assessment also helps programs improve by providing clear information about what students are and are not learning.
- What role does university accreditation play in outcomes assessment?
- Most universities are accredited by an outside organization that vouches for its quality. The accreditation review is quite extensive and examines all important features of a university including its policies, administration, facilities, student services, and programs.
- Who accredits the University of Colorado?
- The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association is a regional organization that accredits a variety of universities and colleges, including the University of Colorado.
- What kinds of accreditations do programs at UCD undergo?
- Programs are typically reviewed by multiple accrediting bodies, including at the university level, school or college level, state level, and professional level.
- What are the benefits of outcomes assessment?
- The process of identifying student learning outcomes, assessing whether these outcomes are achieved, and using the information to improve learning experiences for students is a simple, yet productive process. When students and faculty share a clear understanding of what is important for students to learn, it is easier for students to hit the "achievement" target; while regular assessments of student learning provide information about students' level of achievement and can be used to guide faculty in designing more effective learning experiences for students.
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Upcoming Workshops
- Rubrics I
10/11/06 12:00-1:00
Links
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