Minutes of the Meeting of the Assessment Committee
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Academic Affairs Conference Room (2147), Founder’s Hall 3:30 p.m.
Present: Jeanne Butler, Greg Anderson, Paul Bishop, Karin Covalt, Ron Crocker, Jessy Hansen, Mary Kommers, George Lawson, Tami Moore, Sarah von Schrader and Gloria Vavricka
Absent: Scott Unruh
The meeting was called to order by Director of Assessment, Jeanne Butler, at the above time and place.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
- Cultural Diversity Survey:
The CD survey received a respectable number of responses, given that the survey was quite lengthy: 839 students started the survey, but the number dwindled toward the end. The last six items on the survey were also on the GS pilot test and are a direct measure of CD knowledge. The CD survey is a partial requirement for CD assessment. It may be revised in the future as we evaluate the responses and the instrument. There was a significant difference in performance on the direct measure items in the GS pilot between students who have completed the CD requirement versus those who have not. Hopefully this will hold true for the results of the survey. A comparison of freshmen to seniors will also be done to identify differences in performance.
We began administering the ACT CAAP exam this week and it is being given to freshman and seniors in randomly selected classes to test their critical thinking and writing skills. ACT is trying to create a national norm, so the opportunity was offered to us at no cost rather than the $10,000 usual cost. If we continue to give this exam, it will be incorporated into Capstone courses for seniors, or the First –Year Program for freshman.
- Status of Assessment Reporting:
By the deadline of October 1, 2007, every department and program either submitted an assessment report to the Assessment Office, or in a few instances, asked for short extension of time to submit their reports. Assessment Coordinator von Schrader distributed a handout showing the departments, dates reports were received, confirmed, and feedback was given. Departmental reports with significant need for revision or clarification of data were returned with suggestions for improvement.
- WEAVEonline Implementation and Information:
Our contract with WEAVEonline has been signed, sealed and we will begin to use the software in the next few weeks. When programs and departments are given access to WEAVEonline, they will find that their previous assessment data has already been loaded for them which should make data comparison and reporting easier. Data will be stored and readily accessible. Courses will be able to be traced to General studies, WI, CD, and other learning objectives. Department assessment reports will continue to be put in PDF files on the assessment website. The Office of Assessment is now working with Glen Powell, COE, to utilize WEAVEonline in conjunction with NCATE requirements and with Max McFarland for Counseling and School Psychology accreditation. The College of Business & Technology may also want to use WEAVE in their accreditation process.
- Other:
Next week Director Butler and Jessy Hansen, Assessment GA, will be traveling to Reno for the NSSE Assessment Workshop and Hansen will attend an SPSS session to assist us with collecting and analyzing data.
When NCA comes to UNK for the focused visit in April, they will be having separate meetings with the Assessment Committee, the WI/CD Committee, and the General Studies Council, among others. This Committee will discuss our strategy for that meeting at a later date. Some departments have already begun planning for the NCA visit, i.e., the Music Department has come up with “Talking Points” for their faculty to help understand assessment and convey their experiences with assessment concisely and enthusiastically. Hopefully other departments will soon follow suit.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. The next meeting of the Committee will be Thursday, November 8, at 3:30 p.m. in FNDH Room 2147.