The following examples are taken from actual University of Pittsburgh program assessment plans.
Learning Outcomes
(Given a complex factual situation) students will be able to identify and articulate the legal issues the situation presents; identify, accurately formulate, and apply the rules or principles of law pertinent to the situation . . .
[Students will be able to] evaluate and apply research methods, research findings, and related tools to evaluate practice interventions
[Students will] know how to design and perform an experiment to address a specific biological problem
[Students will] demonstrate a solid working knowledge of basic principles and vocabulary of micro and macro economics
Students will be able to effectively communicate mathematical research knowledge and teach mathematics at a university level
Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of clinical performance skills to provide safe, competent care
Students will be able to appropriately interpret results from diagnostic audiologic tests (behavioral and physiologic)
Assessment Methods
A committee of three faculty members will review the exams and papers of a sample of [20] students from across the core courses biannually
A three-member faculty committee will conduct an exit interview. A sample of [15] graduating seniors during their last semester will be assessed. The assessment will take place every three years.
Faculty will evaluate a sample of [20] student assignments from the writing intensive course using a standardized scoring rubric that will be developed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. This exercise will be completed each year.
[Each year,] the number of conference papers published and the number of journal papers published and/or submitted at time of the defense [will be tabulated for all defending students]
Review anonymized graduates’ results on the practice portion of the PA bar examination [every three years]
Conduct a graduate survey one year post graduation, all classes, first survey due April 2008
Analysis by a team of faculty of a sample of [20] papers from PIA 2501 – Development Policy and Administration and PIA 2307 Human Security [every five years]
PRAXIS II Social Studies Exam, [all students] senior year
Alumni surveys sent to first-year and third-year graduates
[Each year] programs will evaluate peer-reviewed publications by their [doctoral] students [at the time of graduation]
Standards
80% of those students seeking graduate education should be successful
100% of evaluated drug log assignments score at or above 80%
We have not established the baseline as we have not tested our students. It is expected that 50% of our graduating seniors are expected to be highly competent, 85% will be competent of better, 95% will be minimally competent or better.
90% of papers demonstrate that the topic was researched, developed, and presented with a high degree of relevance in terms of policy implications and/or practice applications
[All] students must achieve successful state mandated passing scores on PRAXIS exams
Within one year of graduation, more than 90% of alumni employed in a teaching or teaching related position or enrolled in graduate school; after three years, more than 85% of alumni indicate satisfaction with various elements of their total program and of required courses.
90% of first-time takers are expected to pass this portion of the bar exam
It is expected that each student will publish at least one paper as a primary author. An aggregate index of student publications will be assessed in terms of impact factors and citations.