16.01   Background

Western Carolina University developed a formal assessment program in 1987.  The assessment system that evolved is characterized by its close tie to strategic planning and its incorporation of University of North Carolina assessment and performance measures and standards.  The system is designed to meet the assessment expectations of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools http://www.sacscoc.org/.

16.02   University-wide Assessment and Surveys

Evaluation of progress toward achieving the Strategic Vision of the university is embedded within the strategic planning process.  This includes annual evaluation of action plans as well as progress toward selected performance indicators.  For information on planning and effectiveness see http://www.wcu.edu/12829.asp.

Western, as a part of the University of North Carolina, conducts periodic surveys of entering freshmen , sophomores and seniors , and alumni .  These surveys cover all aspects of the university, and results are benchmarked against those of other UNC component institutions.  In addition, the university conducts a variety of locally developed and national surveys on a regular cycle including the National Survey of Student Engagement, the Faculty Survey of Student Engagement and the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement.  Survey results are reviewed by the Chancellor’s Executive Council, the Council of Deans, the Provost’s Council, and appropriate units within each division.  Results from all surveys are summarized and provided to participants at http://www.wcu.edu/12829.asp

16.03   Principles of Academic Assessment

Eight guiding principles underlie academic assessment at Western Carolina University:

1.   The primary aim of assessment at WCU is to involve faculty in the evaluation of academic programs in order to (a) provide evidence of program quality, (b) permit documentation of changes in program quality, (c) establish a longitudinal data base documenting consistently high academic standards, and (d) show evidence of student learning.

2.   The WCU assessment program is designed to measure the skills, knowledge, and accomplishments specified in our strategic vision.

3.   Assessment is an on-going process designed and implemented by the faculty in keeping with the role and mission statements of the university, and the school and departments in which the programs are located.

4.   Defining goals for each program area is the most important step in establishing an assessment program. For each academic major, goals are defined, students’ progress toward these goals is monitored, and results are used to continue, modify, or reinforce aspects of the program to ensure continuous advancement in program quality.

5.   No single approach to assessment is universally accepted. Therefore, different methods of assessment are appropriate for different programs. The faculty for each program is responsible for determining the methods and appropriateness of the assessment measures used. Possible methods include the following:

a.   Faculty-developed, criterion-referenced, end-of-program measurements. Several approaches to end-of-program assessment may be appropriate including tests, performances, exhibits, and portfolio measurements.

b.   Credit-bearing seminars designed to help students synthesize their learning in the major. Faculty members are responsible for demonstrating how these seminars are appropriate program assessment vehicles and for reporting student achievement in these seminars to the Office of Assessment.

c.   Student performances on licensing examinations and other certifying measures. These may be used to supplement the broader assessment process but the passing rate on such examinations should not be used as the only measure of program effectiveness. Similarly, results from external program accreditation or certification bodies may be used in support of program assessment. Multiple measures of effectiveness should be identified.

d.   Related course sequences. Faculty in programs containing two or more groups of related courses may choose to measure the body of knowledge in each set of related courses.In this case, such assessment might be carried out in the final courses of each sequence; for example, measurement may be made of a concentration within a major as well as a second measurement of the basic major itself.

6.   Although students’ performance on assessment measures will be used to evaluate programs, scores on assessment measures may  not by themselves be used to impede student progress toward graduation.

      7.   Assessment will focus on programs rather than individual faculty performance.

8.   Program evaluation measures will be considered confidential. Identities of individual people will not be released.

16.04 Academic Program Assessment

All academic programs are required to engage in ongoing program assessment. Faculty in each program are responsible for developing a program assessment plan that is appropriate for their discipline. Plans reflect the strategic vision of the university and the mission and goals of the unit. Each assessment plan includes a listing of the intended program outcomes (including student learning outcomes) and the means for determining whether the desired outcomes are being achieved. The Office of Assessment collects and maintains copies of all assessment plans and reports. Links to program assessment plans, annual assessment reports, assessment resources and support are available at http://www.wcu.edu/12881.asp.

In addition to assessment planning and reporting, all academic programs undergo comprehensive program review on a five-year cycle. During review, programs prepare a self-study document, are evaluated by an external team, and produce a program development plan to address all recommendations. Procedures for academic program review are available at http://www.wcu.edu/12880.asp.  See Section 16.06 below for additional information on Academic Program Review.

    16.05   Liberal Studies Assessment

   Assessment of the Liberal Studies program is the responsibility of the Liberal Studies Oversight Committee.  See  http://www.wcu.edu/22967.asp for additional information on the assessment of the Liberal Studies program.

16.06   Academic Program Review

In addition to outcomes-based assessment of student learning, all academic programs are subject to comprehensive program review. The primary purpose of program review is to advance the quality of teaching and learning, research, professional/creative activity, and public service/academic outreach functions through a periodic system of review at the unit level (i.e., department or program). To that end, each program assesses its mission, curriculum, operations, and resources relative to the same core effectiveness standards understanding that these standards have varying degrees of relevance and applicability across programs/departments. It is the intent of the program review process that members of each academic program will have the opportunity to articulate their goals and to explain how the program's current curriculum and activities support their  aspirations.

The goals of the academic program review process are to:

1. Maintain high-quality programs that are competitive and consistent with the University's mission.

2. Encourage and support program self-improvement by:

•  highlighting strengths of programs,
•  identifying opportunities for strategic change, |
•  validating that programs are meeting the changing needs of stakeholders,
•  identifying areas for improvements and supporting improvement changes
•  providing data necessary in the process of allocating resources

3. Advance the mission of Western Carolina University by:

   •  reaffirming the relationship between the mission of the program and the mission of the University
•  fostering cooperation and collaboration between departments and programs
•  meeting the region's educational and workforce needs.

4. Provide a formative and summative review of academic programs.

See http://www.wcu.edu/12880.asp for additional information on academic program review.

All support units within the university engage in ongoing program assessment. All units maintain mission and goal statements that reflect the strategic vision of the university. Action plans and action plan evaluations are developed annually as a part of the strategic planning process. Units also identify specific outcome objectives, measure progress toward these objectives, and implement improvements based on findings. Academic support units and units within Student Affairs include student learning outcomes among their objectives.

Support units submit their action plans and evaluations, and assessment plans and reports to their division on an annual basis. Reports are maintained by the division and the unit.