Assessment of Student Learning at Salish Kootenai College
Salish Kootenai College assesses student learning in many ways. Assessment provides the College with a means to determine whether students are learning the expected knowledge and skills to become competent in their chosen field of study or career. Documentation of assessment processes and results is an important part of SKC’s continuous efforts to improve student learning. Through these efforts, SKC demonstrates accountability to our stakeholders as well as compliance with the standards of the accrediting organizations, including the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Definitions:
Assessment refers to the methods that an institution or program employs to gather evidence of student learning.
Student learning outcomes are defined and measured in terms of the particular levels of knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes that a student has attained as a result of his or her participation in a particular curriculum.
Methods of Assessment:
- The General Education Outcomes are measured through a written essay that is required by students who are graduating from an Associate degree program, and may be required of upper division students in some majors. At the discretion of the academic program, the essay may also be used to assess students who are transferring into an upper division program (junior/senior level) from another college. The written essay is administered outside of regular class time. Further information about the assessment is provided in an email in winter quarter. The essay is given during a two-week period at the end of winter quarter. Scores on the essay are NOT used to delay individual student graduation or progress toward degree completion. Student achievement on the essay IS used to improve the general education program. However, student scores may lead to a recommendation to take additional support courses in writing or use other methods to improve the student’s learning of the general education outcomes.
- Learning Outcome Assessment Program (LOAP). SKC’s Learning Outcomes Assessment Program is designed as a continuous process for improvement of student learning. Each academic department has defined a set of learning outcomes for each degree program. Student achievement of these outcomes is determined through a systematic process of collecting evidence about how well students demonstrate the expected learning outcomes. Each department submits an annual report documenting student achievement of the student learning outcomes, as well as actions that the department will take to improve student achievement over the coming year.