STUDENT OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT

References: Higher Learning Commission Program Review and Learning Outcome Requirements; Wyoming Community College Commission Rules; Policy 6130A

In conjunction with requirements published by the Higher Learning Commission, Western Wyoming Community College (the College) faculty are required to establish and publish learning objectives for all degree programs and certificates. In addition, the various academic and student services departments shall develop departmental plans for evaluating the extent to which students are achieving the objectives in all coursework and programs, regardless of the modality, i.e., face-to-face, hybrid, online learning or dual credit.

The faculty in all units must review their goals and assessment plans on a regular basis, and must publish updates through the centrally maintained assessment database, which can be accessed through the portal.  The Administration's role is to coordinate and document assessment activities taking place at the unit level as well as to conduct surveys and provide data of institutional scope.

The College President and the President’s Cabinet shall work with various  departments to ensure that:

1. Assessments will give students the opportunity to work towards achievement of the applicable institutional learning outcomes. Assessments may also be aligned with other profiles, e.g., for programs, majors or specializations.
2. Assessments will be relevant and measures will be taken to ensure that what is being assessed is clear to students.
3. Assessment criteria will be transparent and made available to students in a timely manner.
4. Staff will be encouraged to use a range of assessment methods to reflect different pedagogical approaches and strategies.
5. Assessment methods will ensure that students with disabilities are provided with appropriate opportunities to demonstrate their achievement of learning outcomes.

Specific units (departments or academic units) are responsible for assessing specific academic programs, and faculty groups responsible for assessing general education. 

Adopted: May 13, 2021

Procedure 6110C

STUDENT OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT

It is the expectation that all Western Wyoming Community College (the College) faculty (part-time or full-time) will participate in assessment of student learning activities.  All courses, regardless of modality, and programs are expected to following the general requirements:

Faculty Requirements
Faculty are expected to participate in the assessment activities of their units in the following ways:

1. Participating in regular  reviews of program goals and assessment plans;
2. Assisting with collecting and interpreting assessment data as required by assessment plans;
3. Participating in reviews of unit assessment results and resulting decision-making process

Faculty are encouraged to implement supplemental assessment strategies in their own classes as a means of improving teaching and learning. It is important that data gathered for the purpose of improvement not be used punitively, and there is no requirement that such data be made public.

Unit Requirements
Under the leadership of the School Chair, or designee, each unit must maintain an appropriate structure, which includes faculty participation, for managing unit assessment efforts.  This can be accomplished by including assessment in the charge of curriculum committees or by establishing separate assessment committees.  These committees are responsible for ensuring that assessment plans are carried out, that results are documented, and that the information is shared with the entire faculty for potential action.  Decisions based on assessment data are documented and included in the unit's annual report.  Committees are also encouraged to develop and document supplementary assessment plans to follow up on specific actions to monitor effectiveness.  School Chairs are responsible for updates on assessment results and for leading reviews of program goals and assessment plans.

Administration Requirements
The goal of outcomes assessment is program improvement. For assessment to be effective, faculty must document program weaknesses as well as strengths and use their findings to make program improvements.  Assessment results demonstrating the need for improvement should be viewed positively as an opportunity and should never be used punitively.  It is the assessment process, especially the documented use of data in subsequent decision-making-that is vital; assessment is not simply an effort to demonstrate success.   To ensure that assessment proceeds in accordance with the goal of program improvement, the Vice President for Student Learning, School Chairs, department heads, and discipline-specific Facilitators are expected to recognize and acknowledge participation in assessment activities through the annual review process at all levels. 

Adopted: May 13, 2021