Assessment Day is April 15, 1999

This is a day designed to provide academic departments time to engage in activities which will facilitate the implementation of their assessment plans. It is part of the Assessment Culture Plan developed by the Long Range Planning & Assessment Committee and approved by Faculty Senate in Spring, 1998.

By April 2000, each academic and non-academic department should be able to provide at least one example of how assessment has changed either a process or an outcome in the department so the example can be included in the NCA self study documentation.

Departments may chose to

(1) meet to work on assessment related activities,

(2) collect information, or

(3) analyze assessment data.

Information might be collected from a variety of sources (students, alumni, employers, parents, internship sites, K-12 etc.) using any number of methods (surveys, exams, interviews, etc.) which directly relate to one or more of the department's goals outlined in their assessment plan. (For instance, the department may chose to survey current students about a number of departmental processes such as instruction, advising, course availability, etc.).

Departments are encouraged to have students participate in their department's assessment activities.

Assessment Day should not be used as an 'exam day' in regularly scheduled classes.

Funding

will be available to each academic department that chooses to participate in Assessment Day. The funding (up to $250) may be used to purchase materials directly related to assessment day activities (standardized exams, etc.), duplication for assessment day materials, honoraria for outside speakers (employers, alumni, consultants, etc.), and refreshments. Funding may not be used for stipends to faculty members. Funding should be applied for (using the attached form) by February 15, 1999. Departments receiving funding will be required to file a report on the use of funds by May 15, 1999.

Ideas

Participants: Departmental Majors, Faculty, Alumni, and / or Employers

Sample Activities: Survey (nationally normed or locally developed), Interview (individual or focus group), 0ral exam, Presentation (research, portfolio), Exam (nationally normed or locally prepared), Transcript Analysis, Portfolio Review

Potential Topics: Results (student satisfaction, student learning); Processes (advising, studying, curriculum, instruction, student development, learning communities)

** Departments will be responsible for reserving appropriate classroom or meeting space for their assessment activities**

Schedule

9 a.m. until Noon, Thursday, April 15th

First Year Students complete expectations follow up study

Sophomores complete satisfaction survey

Selected sophomores participate in general education exam

Selected juniors participate in writing pilot exam

1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday, April 15th

Departments host majors for assessment day activities (to be determined by academic departments)

Student Information

The following information was provided to Student Senate on October 21, 1998. The Student Senate supported Assessment Day.

Which classes are cancelled?

All classes that meet before 4 p.m.

Students that have lab sessions on Thursday, April 15th should check with their lab instructor....some labs may meet on this day.

Which classes are NOT cancelled?

Classes that meet once a week, regardless of when they start.

Some labs -- check you your instructor.

What Happens on Assessment Day?

First Year Students will meet to follow up on an survey that you took earlier in the year.

Sophomores Selected sophomores will participate in a student satisfaction survey.

Other Selected Sophomores will participate in a general education exam.

Juniors Selected Juniors will participate in a writing exam.

Juniors and Seniors will participate in assessment activities decided upon by their major departments.

How will I know where I'm supposed to go?

Signs will be posted all over campus to help you figure out where you'll need to be.

If you've been selected as part of the random sample of students to participate in the General Education Assessment or the Writing Assessment, you will be notified by mail. Participants will receive a $20 bookstore voucher when you complete the assessment.

Academic Departments will announce where they will be meeting with their students. Ask one of your professors!

Why are we doing this?

Basically, Assessment Day is a way for us to identify what we're doing well, and figure out what we need to work on to improve. It is a chance for Winona State to find out what you are thinking and feeling about WSU and also how you are doing in general education and your major. Some activities will allow us compare WSU students to students across the country. Activities in your major will allow your home department a chance to assess how well they're doing in helping you understand the core concepts and develop the essential skills of your field.

We'll let you know what we find out -- and what we're going to do to try to improve!

return to lrp home page / return to milestones in quality enhancement page / assessment day funding form