Winona State University
2007-2008 Challenge Grants:
Focus on Student Learning Outcomes
** Including Assessment Day Data Collection Funding**
DEADLINE: JANUARY 18, 2008
(Level One, Level Two, Level Three)
Additional Requirements for all Grant Recipients
These grants are offered to assist DPUs in the identification of student learning outcomes (level one and two grants), collecting data to demonstrate the degree to which students are achieving those outcomes using DIRECT measures (level three grants), and to make revisions to their curriculum, teaching and assessment strategies based upon what they've learned from the data that they have collected (level four grants).
Student Learning Outcomes should identify
--What students should KNOW as the result of study in the field (cognitive domain)
--What students should be able to DO as the result of study in the field (behavioral domain)
--What students should VALUE as the result of study in the field (affective domain)
Student Learning Outcomes should be
--STUDENT focused as opposed to INSTRUCTOR focused ("Students will be able to identify.." NOT: "Students will be taught..")
--ACTION oriented ("Students should be able to define, integrate, analyze, demonstrate (etc.)..." . NOT: "Students should learn.....")
--SPECIFIC ("Students should be able compare and contrast three different attribution theories" NOT: "Students should understand theories of attribution...")
Students Learning Measures should provide DIRECT EVIDENCE of student learning.
According to the Higher Learning Commission, DIRECT MEASURES OF STUDENT LEARNING include the capstone experience, standardized tests, performance on national licensure, certification or professional exams, locally developed tests, essay questions blind scored by faculty, qualitative internal and external juried review of senior projects, externally reviewed exhibitions and performances, and external evaluation of internships based upon program learning outcomes.
The Higher Learning Commission identifies the following as INDIRECT MEASURES of student learning: Alumni, employer, and student surveys (including satisfaction surveys), exit interviews of graduates and focus groups, graduate follow up studies, retention and transfer studies, length of time to degree, ACT scores, graduation and transfer rates, and job placement rates.
The Higher Learning Commission identifies the following as NON-MEASURES of student learning: Curriculum review reports, program review reports from external evaluators, faculty publications and recognition, course enrollments and course profiles, faculty / student ratios, percentage of students who study abroad, enrollment trends, 5 year graduation rates, and the diversity of the student body.
These grants will provide funding for Departments, Programs or Units (DPUs) to develop or implement their assessment plans.
These grants will provide funding for DPUs to develop or implement their assessment plans.
• Level One grants are to assist DPUs who have not yet identified their student learning outcomes or plan for assessing the outcomes. (Maximum Grant Award: $500).
• Level Two grants are to assist DPUs who have previously identified student learning outcomes and developed assessment plans, but whose plans require significant revision prior to starting data collection. (Maximum Grant Award: $250).
• Level Three grants are designed to provide assistance for DPUs to collect data on identified student learning outcomes. (Sliding grant award levels with maximum grant award of $1500) **THESE GRANTS MAY BE USED FOR ASSESSMENT DAY (February 12, 2008) ACTIVITIES!**
Academic and support DPUs are eligible to apply for Performance Funding Challenge Grants.
DPUs who have received previous challenge grants through the pilot program, acceleration grant program or challenge grant program but have not filed midterm and final reports on those awards are ineligible. DPUs uncertain of their eligibility status may contact Susan Hatfield (x5244) to confirm their eligibility.
Level One Eligibility: Development of Student Learning Outcomes.
All academic and support DPUs who have not yet identified student learning outcomes. Units that have been awarded funds under the pilot program or under previous challenge grants for the development of quality indicators are not eligible to apply for this grant.
Level Two Eligibility: Revision of Departmental Assessment Plans.
All academic and non-academic DPUs who have submitted complete departmental assessment plans (including student learning outcomes) or who have been awarded previous funds for the creation or revision of assessment plans.
DPUs who have received Level One funding in the 04-05 or 05-06 funding cycle or who have received previous Level Two funding in are ineligible.
Level Three Eligibility: Data Collection: These grants may be used for Assessment Day Activities.
Academic and support DPUs who have developed student learning outcomes.
Proposal must outline a new project and not an existing initiative or project.
DPUs may only submit one grant proposal in this category.
DPUs submitting proposals in this category are ineligible for funding in Level One and Level Two grant categories.
Three printed copies of each proposal and an electronic copy (Microsoft Word email attachment sent to SHatfield@winona.edu ) must be submitted by January 18, 2008. Proposals submitted by individuals must include a statement of DPU support.
Level One proposals (Creation of Assessment Plans - maximum award $500) must include:
1. Identification of the DPU members participating in the grant project.
2. Process and timeline for developing student learning outcomes and direct measures of student learning.
3. Strategy for implementing systematic assessment of the learning outcomes.
4. A discussion of the impact that the project will have on students.
5. An evaluation plan for the project.
6. A budget narrative and justification, indicating how each budget item relates to the activities outlined.
Eligible expenses include:
a. Professional development for faculty and staff to learn about assessment and the development of indicators.
b. Purchases of materials in support of DPU assessment activities.
c. Collection of information to establish benchmarks by site visits, purchasing materials and communicating with other institutions.
d. Expenses related for retreats for faculty, staff, students and/or alumni to work on the development of the plan.
e. Expenses related to evaluation of progress toward objectives.
See additional requirements for all grant recipients.
Level Two proposals (Revision of Assessment Plans - maximum award $250) must include:
1. A cover page indicating the title of the project and the proposal level.
2. A project abstract of no longer than 150 words.
3. Identification of the DPU members participating in the grant project.
4. Rationale for revision of existing plan: A critical evaluation of the current plan's strengths and weaknesses and the goals for the revised plan.
5. Process and timeline for revising indicators/goals and measures.
6. Strategy and timeline for implementing systematic assessment of the student learning outcomes.
7. A discussion of the impact that the project will have on students.
8. An evaluation plan for the project.
9. A budget narrative and justification, indicating how each budget item relates to the activities outlined.
Eligible expenses include:
a. Professional development for faculty and staff to learn about assessment and the development of indicators.
b. Purchases materials in support of assessment activities.
c. Collection of information to establish benchmarks by site visits, purchasing materials and communicating with other institutions.
See additional requirements for all grant recipients.
1. A copy of the DPU's assessment plan, including student learning outcomes. (Please call x5244 to see if a copy of your most recent plan is already on file -- in which case another copy is not required).
2. A cover page indicating the title of the project and the proposal category.
3. An abstract (no longer than 150 words).
4. Identification of the student learning outcomes to be measured and the direct measures by which you will be assessing the outcomes.
5. A statement of how student learning outcomes will be measured.
6. Number of students expected to participate.
7. Means by which student participation will be facilitated or required (and the plan / penalty for non-participating students if the activity is required)
8. A timeline for the project or outline of the Assessment Day Activities. DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITIES ON ASSESSMENT DAY (February 12th, 1-4 p.m.) ARE ENCOURAGED.
9. A plan for how data collected will be analyzed and what methods of follow-up might be considered.
10. A budget narrative and justification, indicating how each budget item relates to the activities identified.
Reports on previous grant funding must have been received prior to additional funding. See Additional requirements for all grant recipients.
Available funding is dependent upon whether the data gathering activities are held on Assessment Day (February 12th) and whether students are required to participate.
| Required Student Participation on Assessment Day (February 13th, 1-4 p.m.) | Student Participation Optional on Assessment Day (February 13th, 1-4 p.m.) | Required Student Participation (NOT on Assessment Day) | Student Participation Optional (NOT on Assessment Day) | |
| Food ** |
$3 per
faculty / student participant $600 maximum |
$2 per faculty /
student participant $100 maximum |
No funding for food | No funding for food |
Other eligible expenses |
a. printing b. postage c. software to assist in data collection and analysis d.standardized exams e. facility rental ($60 max) $900 maximum |
a.
printing b. postage c. software to assist in data collection and analysis d.standardized exams e. facility rental ($60 max) $700 maximum |
a.
printing b. postage c. software to assist in data collection and analysis d.standardized exams e. facility rental ($60 max) $600 maximum |
a.
printing b. postage c. software to assist in data collection and analysis d.standardized exams e. facility rental ($60 max) $400 maximum |
| Total Maximum Funding | $1500 | $800 | $600 | $400 |
** requires a special expense form and 1400 form with the grant application.
NOTE: Following the grant award, funds may not be shifted between budget items without prior approval from the Assessment Office.
See additional requirements for all grant recipients.
Additional requirements for all grant recipients
All grant recipients must submit a final report outlining the results of the grant project to the Assessment Coordinator by December 15, 2008. Reports should be submitted as an email attachment formatted in Microsoft Word.
This report must contain:
a. goals of the grant and the rationale for any changes made in grant goals.
b. methods used to achieve each grant goal.
c. progress made toward achieving each goal utilizing the evaluation plan as identified in the grant proposal.
d. remaining work to be completed (if any) and a timeline for completion (if the project is not complete, an additional report will be due upon completion).
e. the impact of the grant on:
1. Expectations: What do you expect your graduates to know and to be able to do, as new professionals in the discipline? (academic programs) OR How does your program or area support WSU¹s mission? (support programs).
2. Preparation: How does your curriculum and teaching methods (or program) help them to meet those expectations?
3. Assessment: How do you know whether students are progressing appropriately toward meeting those expectations?
f. report on budget expenditures.