Assessment of Instructional Programs and Courses
Blinn College Administrative Regulations Manual
Subject: Assessment of Instructional Programs and Courses
Effective Date: November 28, 2022
Board Policy Reference: EFAA(LEGAL)
Purpose
Assessment of program and student learning is a critical component of institutions of higher education. With effective assessment processes in place, Blinn College District can better evaluate the extent to which we prepare students for future educational, employment and personal success. The College District is responsible for providing evidence of continuous improvement by way of systematic assessment of each program. This expectation applies to all awards granted by the institution.
Process Overview
Assessment of courses and programs at the Blinn College District happens throughout an academic year. This assessment process is outlined in five phases:
- Data collection
- Data entry into assessment platform
- Data analysis
- Implementation of action on results
- Assessment reporting to accrediting agencies
Course Level Assessment:
Each course offered at the Blinn College District contains course level student learning outcomes (CSLOs). These outcomes describe actions or behaviors a student should perform as a result of instruction delivered in the course. CLSOs allow the programs to evaluate the success of the curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment methodologies. Analysis and evaluation of data collected are used to introduce improvements in course curriculum and/or methodologies to promote student success.
Program Level Assessement:
Each program is required to enact assessment plans for both Program Level Outcomes (PLOs) and Program Level Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs). PLOs are required for each program in the College District program inventory, as these assist program administrators to better understand the program’s goal accomplishments. While PLOs are focused on program-level outcomes rather than course level outcomes, these are not directly tied to student learning. PLOs are focused on related goals such as increases in enrollment, graduation or transfer rate of students, student success in licensure examinations and other indicants of program success.
Each program will also develop and maintain PSLOs that measure student learning associated with successful program completion. Metrics for this type of assessment plan may include capstone projects, student portfolios, departmental examinations, external licensing examinations or other measures that can be attributed to student learning as a result of program completion.
Core Curriculum Assessment:
Each public institution of higher education, including a college district, shall evaluate its core curriculum through the assessment of the core objectives on an ongoing basis, reporting the results of the assessment to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board every ten years on the schedule that accords with the institution's accreditation reaffirmation to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) or its successor. EFAA(LEGAL)
Assessment Cycle
Each course and program outcome shall be measured twice in a five-year cycle. The details of program and course level assessments processes are outlined in the Blinn College Assessment Manual which is available online in the Institutional Research and Effectiveness webpage.
Program Definition, Southern Association of Colleges, and Schools Commission on Colleges
SACSCOC requires that institutions provide evidence for the establishment and monitoring of student learning outcomes for each of its educational programs (Resource Manual for the 2018 Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, Standard 8.2). SACSCOC defines Program as “A coherent course of study leading to a for-credit credential including a degree, diploma, certificate or other generally recognized credential.”
All courses of study leading to an Associate degree, Certificate, or an Occupational Skills Award (OSA) are considered programs by SACSCOC and are subject to the processes described in the Blinn College Assessment Manual. Only not-for-credit courses of study are exempt from assessment.