10/13/97
ATHENS, Ohio -- Four departments and two schools will share $200,000 in Ohio University's annual recognition of outstanding assessment practices, according to Provost Sharon S. Brehm. Each unit will receive $33,333 for outstanding assessment practices and reports, according to Brehm.
Recipients and highlights of assessment practices include:
*School of Dance, used qualitative assessment of a performance-based program and had excellent use of external reviews and visiting artists to provide feedback.
*School of Interpersonal Communication, used an active committee to carry out assessment, developed competencies in a non-technical program and used an advisory board to provide feedback from external sources.
*Department of Chemical Engineering, excellent use of objective criteria to develop assessment of student outcomes.
*Department of Industrial Technology, detailed analysis using a variety of assessment tools.
*Department of Modern Languages, identified and assessed multiple goals for service role and strong assessment of language proficiency.
*Department of Sociology and Anthropology's sociology program, included a well-documented feedback process and assessment of student advising.
"I want to commend all of these departments and schools for their dedication and hard work in developing a process of assessment that is systematic, firmly tied to the academic mission of the university, and useful in constantly fine-tuning and improving the quality of the academic programs involved," Brehm said. "It is only by paying close attention to the effects of what we do that we can do it even better in the future."
A university Assessment Review Committee recommended the awards be granted to units demonstrating the best practices in areas such as clearly stating goals that match assessment activities; involving faculty in curriculum assessment and improvement projects; focusing on student outcomes; and planning for improvements based on assessment results.
In its second year, the program's funding came from the University Planning Advisory Council.
"Our academic assessment program, which examines student learning department by department, is fundamental to improving our effectiveness as a university," President Robert Glidden said. "I'm proud of these departments for their diligence and well-received plans."
Funds awarded may be spent or carried forward to the next year. Award funds were used in many different ways, ranging from the purchase of computers and video equipment to the funding of a new laboratory magazine.
"The whole point of these assessment reviews is to emphasize the importance of student learning," said Associate Provost Barbara Reeves, who chaired the committee that established the assessment program.
"I am grateful for Dr. Reeves' fine work in developing an assessment program at the university and I want to express my appreciation to the committee for their dedication and continuing efforts in the process they developed," said Brehm.
This year's assessment reports will be posted on the World Wide Web at http://www.ohiou.edu/~insres/pageasse.htm. A new Assessment Review Committee will include some former members and others from departments which won this year.
A symposium on the annual assessment program will be held Feb. 13 and will include workshops on assessment activities and guidance for departments regarding next year's reports.