Assessment
What is Assessment?
Data is often collected in higher education to make improvements, inform practice, and understand patterns, all in an effort to better the student experience. Assessment is the intentional and systematic process of data collection, review, and use of information for the improvement of programs, services, and facilities.
Assessment involves two primary components: (1) the gathering of student information or measurement; and (2) the use and application of information to influence decisions about our work with students.
The data collected in Student Affairs through assessment can take multiple forms both qualitatively and quantitatively though tracking use, understanding the needs of students, measuring satisfaction, exploring impact, and measuring student learning, to name a few.
Often assessment is described as a process that is enacted through cycle of continuous improvement with individual components that inform the next step in the process. Assessment does not end with a report of findings, but continues with further conversations and assessment on any improvements made.
The primary steps involved in assessment are as follows:
- Establish goals and outcomes
- Deliver purposeful programs and services
- Collect data associated with programs and services
- Review, interpret, and share the results
- Apply the results in decision making processes to improve programs and services
Assessment and Social Justice Committee
The Student Affairs Assessment and Social Justice Committee facilitates assessment activities in the Division of Student Affairs and collaborates with the Director of Co-Curricular Learning, Educational Equity, and Assessment to:
- Provide staff leadership for development and support of assessment of programs reaching undergraduate and graduate students.
- Help each unit align with CSU system priorities, meet higher education standards, and adhere to compliance, benchmarking, and best practices.
- Promote a culture of inquiry and reflection of student learning outcomes in each unit that centers educational equity while advancing knowledge of assessment techniques.
Assessment Resources
The NASPA Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Knowledge Community encourages and supports student affairs professionals as they assess learning, evaluate programs, and research theory and practice.
The ACPA Commission for Assessment and Evaluation promotes assessment skills and knowledge to facilitate and support student learning, development, and effective student affairs practice.
The Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) provides both General Standards and Learning and Developmental Outcomes to guide practitioners in improving programs and services with the goal of enhancing the quality of student learning and development.
The National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) provides resources and tools to assist with the discovery and adoption of promising practices in the assessment of college student learning outcomes.
