Transforming Oneontas Assessment Culture Assessing What We VALUE

Transforming Oneonta’s Assessment Culture: Assessing What We VALUE College Senate SUNY Oneonta September 22, 2008

Presenter Patty Francis Associate Provost for Institutional Assessment & Effectiveness

“…institutional assessment efforts should not be concerned about valuing what can be measured but, instead, about measuring that which is valued. ” - Banta, Lund, Black, & Oblander (1996)

Assessment for Accountability Vs. Assessment for Enhancement Assessment for Accountability ¨ Compliance with external accreditors, certification bodies, and other entities the major function ¨ Assessment activity more “stop and start” (i. e, frantic) in response to external requirements ¨ Assessment more “top down” than “bottom up” and overseen/conducted by small portion of campus community ¨ Not much institutional attention to assessment once external mandates are met

Assessment for Accountability Vs. Assessment for Enhancement ¨ Major impetus for assessment: How can we use data to get better? ¨ Assessment part of institution’s “SOP” – ongoing, not intermittent and intense ¨ Process more faculty- and staff-driven (but, with administrative support), with many individuals from across campus – including students – participating in process ¨ Assessment acknowledged by institution as valuable – and valued - activity

So, How Does Action Plan Promote Assessment as Enhancement? 1. Using Data to Get Better Focus on documenting assessment activity, linking that activity to objectives, and “closing the loop” ¨ Comprehensive review of institutional data sources in order to address important issues related to accuracy, availability, and access ¨ 2. Assessment as “SOP” Development of templates to guide units – academic and administrative – that need assistance as well as of ongoing assessment schedule ¨ Formation of standing committees to help in these efforts ¨

So, How Does Action Plan Promote Assessment as Enhancement? 3. Participatory Process with Clear Administrative Support Oversight committees comprised primarily by faculty and staff ¨ Ongoing outreach activity by APIAE Office (including workshops, orientation sessions, and meetings with faculty, staff, and students) ¨ 4. Assessment as Valued Activity Development and implementation of incentive grant programs ¨ Institution-wide assessment philosophy and resolution endorsed by College Senate ¨ Use of special events and media to recognize assessment activity (e. g. , Assessment Day, Web site) ¨ Constructing processes for linking good assessment, planning, and budgeting ¨

“…assessment for accountability may begin to complement, and even strengthen, assessment for improvement. ” - Banta (2007)

Important Questions 1. What are your biggest concerns about the action plan (or, about assessment more generally)? 2. What would alleviate those concerns?