Assessment at Texas Wesleyan

Assessment is a process through which academic programs and administrative departments determine whether the institution is effective in meeting its mission. To establish institutional effectiveness, academic and administrative departments identify expected student learning outcomes or service outcomes, and data is collected to assess whether departments meet their expected outcomes and engage in activities that result in institutional improvement.

Mission:

The mission of the assessment office at Texas Wesleyan University is to facilitate institutional effectiveness and improvement through the coordination of unit strategic planning and assessment for both academic and administrative areas.

Developing and Implementing Assessment Plans:

The assessment process is driven by the development of departmental strategic plans. All instructional and administrative departments at Texas Wesleyan University develop strategic plans linked to the University mission and the University strategic goals. Strategic plans are designed to assist departments in focusing on actions that support the long-term growth and improvement of the department and its mission in light of the University mission and University Strategic goals. 

To assess the effectiveness of degree programs more specifically, instructional departments develop student learning outcomes which are descriptions of the knowledge and skills that programs intend for students to have upon completion of a degree program. The General Education Curriculum is assessed through a similar process coordinated by the General Education Committee. Administrative departments develop service outcomes which are descriptions of the expected end-result of the services provided or functions performed.

Measurements or “criteria for success” are developed in order to assess whether the expected outcomes are, indeed, achieved, and departments assess their outcomes annually. If outcomes are not achieved, departments implement improvement plans.

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Periodic Audits:

All departments, academic and administrative, also engage in periodic “audits” on a 3-4 year cycle. These audits are designed to allow the department to assess its activities and student learning or service outcomes more in-depth than is possible during the annual assessments. Audits consist of a self-study, a departmental audit conducted by an outside reviewer invited by the department, and a departmental improvement plan. The deans determine the program audit schedule for each year.

Program Reviews:

Through the Program Review process, coordinated by the Provost Council, all University academic programs are assessed on a regular 3-5 year cycle in order to facilitate good decisions regarding the mix of programs that the University will offer in the future. The primary goal is to continually work toward enhancement of the academic programs offered at Texas Wesleyan and move the University forward into a future with more focused resources. The deans and the Provost Council, in consultation with the academic departments, determine the program review schedule each year.

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Planning & Assessment Cycle

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Summer/Early fall semester:

Departments and schools review and discuss assessment data from the previous year and discuss departmental improvement plans as a result of the data and information obtained. Strategic goals and/or actions are updated.

Mid-October:
Departments submit updated 3-year strategic plans and assessment plans to their dean/vice president.

October 31:
Deans/Vice-Presidents submit school- and division-level strategic and assessment plans to the assessment office.

Fall and Spring semester:

Departments engage in assessment by gathering data based on the means of assessment established in summer/early fall.

June 1:

Departments submit assessment reports to the dean/vice president.

July 1:

Deans/Vice-Presidents submit school- and division-level assessment reports to the assessment office.

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Academic Area Strategic Plan 2006-2007

Planning & Assessment Documents Fall 2007

• Instructions for the Academic Department
• Instructions for the Dean
• Instructions for the Administrative Department
• Instructions for Vice Presidents
• Academic Programs/Departmental Self-Study Audit Instructions
• Administrative Department Self-Study Audit Instructions

Assessment Reports due Summer 2007:

• Instructions for the Academic Department
• Instructions for the Dean
• Instructions for the Administrative Department
• Instructions for the Vice Presidents
  

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