Southeast Missouri State University College Portrait

All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.

Southeast Missouri State University assesses students learning at both University and department levels throughout out their enrollment. A nationally recognized writing outcomes program evaluates student writing at three points in their course of study using holistically scored writing samples (http://ustudies.semo.edu/writing/wap.asp) . Students must demonstrate writing proficiency to graduate.  The Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress (MAPP) test is used to assess student competency in four core areas: critical thinking, reading, writing and mathematics. All incoming and graduating students complete all sections of the standard form (starting in academic year 09/10.) Each instructional unit files a tri-annual student learning outcomes report. In this report, the unit presents a detailed assessment plan including specific student learning outcome goals established by faculty in the discipline. These include both disciplines specific and general education goals. The plan also outlines the multiple methods of assessment that are used to measure these goals. In addition to the University measures, multiple disciplines specific measures are used. These include national and locally developed tests, licensure tests, internship/practicum reports, alumni, student and employer surveys, capstone projects, publication, presentation at professional meetings, and performance based evaluations. Some of the performance based measures, for example the Department of Art, are evaluated by external experts. External tests include NCLEX (nursing), PRAXIS (education), MFAT, Registration Examination for Dietitians, Certified Manufacturing Technologist Examination, NESPA (Speech Pathology), Comprehensive Professional Counseling Exam, CPA (Certified Public Accountant Exam), ACS (Chemistry), and ATAG (Accounting). The report contains data from all of the measures which is then analyzed and conclusions are formed on student progress on each goal. Finally, the unit is expected to demonstrate how it has used results from assessment to improve student learning and/or percent plans for future actions. These reports are reviewed by the appropriate academic Dean and then evaluated by the University Assessment Review Committee which reports its findings to the Provost. A number of programs are nationally accredited by discipline specific agencies some of which are have defined assessment requirements. For example, units within the College of Education must provide assessment data that shows their students meet Missouri Standards for Teacher Education Programs (MoSTEP) as well as respond to the NCATE mandate that they have processes that collect and analyze data on the performance of candidates and graduates. Units accredited by ABET (Computer Information Systems, Engineering Physics, and Engineering Technology), which accredits programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology, must engage in assessment programs that provide data to respond to the ABET evaluation criteria of the discipline. The units in the College of Business must engage in assessment practices to address the Assurance of Learning standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Learning Assessment Examples

Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.

This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.