University of Nebraska Kearney

Industrial Technology Assessment Plan

The Industrial Technology Department assesses its program effectiveness in keeping with the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) accreditation standards. The Department is currently accredited by NAIT. Assessment measures used are both direct and indirect. Direct measures include the Final Evaluation of Intern by Work Site Supervisor, and the Comprehensive Exam for each program. Indirect measures include the Employer Survey –ASM,CM,ID,TM, Graduate Survey –ASM,CM,ID,TM and the Student Confidence Scale –ASM,CM,ID,TM. The Student Confidence Scale correlates directly with the Student Outcome Matrix for each program. The data collected from each assessment instrument is evaluated by the ITEC faculty and staff, work site industry representatives and the ITEC program advisory committees as appropriate to determine what – if any – changes may be required in the curriculum.

Direct Measures

Final Evaluation of Intern by Work Site Supervisor

All CM, ID, TM students are required to participate in an internship and this evaluation is a required component of the internship. The intern's supervisor completes the evaluation at the end of 480 hours of work by the intern. The information is discussed with the intern and both parties sign the evaluation. The purpose is to document progress from the midterm evaluation and evaluate the training plan objectives set at the beginning of the internship as well as work performance. The information gathered through this instrument is summarized by degree program and distributed to faculty for review and is used to determine what – if any – changes may be required in the curriculum.

Comprehensive Exam

A comprehensive exam for each program is being prepared and will be implemented during the spring 2006 semester. This exam will be given to all graduating seniors to determine the knowledge level mastered, both technical and non-technical, during the students UNK experience. Feedback from this instrument will be used to determine what – if any – changes may be required in the curriculum.

Indirect Measures

Graduate Survey

The Graduate Survey –ASM,CM,ID,TM is sent to all graduates one and five years after graduation. The purpose of the survey is to determine the success of graduates in the workplace. Information is sought about how satisfied the graduates are with the quality of instruction received, quality of facilities, equipment and academic services. Employment status, salary and advancement information is also sought. Feedback from this instrument is used to determine what – if any – changes may be required in the curriculum.

Employer Survey

For every student returning the Graduate Survey an Employer Survey –ASM,CM,ID,TM is sent to the graduate’s current employer. Employers are asked to provide information about the graduate in terms of their initial hire position, current position, the degree to which they have increased responsibility, work performance, productivity, business techniques, personal characteristics, and the employers overall satisfaction with the graduate. Feedback from this instrument is used to determine what – if any – changes may be required in the curriculum.

Student Confidence Scale

The Department of Industrial Technology prepares students for successful careers in business and industry. The Student Confidence Scale –ASM,CM,ID,TM is administered just prior to graduation and helps the curriculum planners within the department gain an understanding as to how confident the students feel that they are prepared in terms of knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully enter the workplace upon graduation. The Student Confidence Scale correlates directly with the Student Outcome Matrix for each program. Feedback from this instrument is used to determine what – if any – changes may be required in the curriculum.

Reporting and Using the Results

All assessment activities are reported in writing to the Department of Industrial Technology. In order to assure a continuous cycle of improvement, the faculty associated with each program meets as needed, but no less than once a year, to assess the results of assessment data. An integral part of the continuous cycle of improvement is the advisory committee’s role in assessing the data and making recommendations to the faculty for program improvement. As a result of continuously assessing the data, recommendations are made to change the assessment methods/instruments and/or make changes to the curriculum.

Previous Plan, Replaced Spring 2006