General Assessment Resources
In CARS, we think of the assessment process as an ongoing cycle, in which assessment of student learning outcomes is used to improve programming. Student learning outcomes are things we want students (or program participants) to know, think, or do upon completing the offered program. For more information on the assessment cycle, see the resources below. The following sections include resources for each step of the cycle.
Assessment Cycle
Video: An Overview of the Assessment Cycle
Slides: Workshop on the Assessment Cycle
Webinar: One Size does not Fit All: Developing Custom Assessment Solutions
Step 1: Writing Learning Outcome Objectives
Video: Writing Objectives
Handout: Writing Clear Objectives, the ABCD Method
Handout: Common Mistakes in Writing Objectives
Handout: The Do’s and Dont’s of Objective Writing
Handout: Checklist for Effective Objectives
Slides: Objective Writing Workshop
Step 2: Mapping Objectives to Programming
Video: Program Theory
Video: Mapping Objectives to Program Components
Step 3: Selecting and/or Designing Instruments
Video: Selecting/Designing Instruments
Handout: Overview of Selecting/Designing Instruments
Handout: How to Find Pre-existing Instruments
Handout: Comprehensive Guide to Selecting and Designing Instruments
Slides: Overview of Writing Instrument Items
Slides: Item Writing Workshop
Video: Designing and Using Rubrics
Step 4: Collecting Data on Learning Outcomes and Implementation Fidelity
Video: Collecting Data on Learning Outcomes
Video: Evaluating Implementation Fidelity
Video: Introduction to Implementation Fidelity
Slides: Implementation Fidelity Workshop with an Applied Example
Article: Measuring Implementation Fidelity (Gerstner & Finney, 2013)
Article: Practical Approach to Assessing Implementation Fidelity
(Swain, Finney, & Gerstner, 2013)
Article: Importance of Implementation Fidelity (Fisher, Smith, Finney, & Pinder, 2014)
Step 5: Analyzing Data
Video: Analyzing Student Learning Outcomes Data
Step 6: Using Assessment Results to Improve Programming and Learning Outcomes
Video: Using Assessment Results
JMU Rubrics
Please see our Examples of Learning Improvement for examples of how JMU programs have used assessment result to improve their courses, activities, and other programming components.
Academic Degree Programs
*For resources on the assessment process and each step of the assessment cycle click here.
*For an example of learning improvement from one of the Academic Degree Programs at James Madison University click here.
The Assessment Progress Template (APT)
The APT is to be submitted by the program with Department Head approval on or before June 1.
Program Assessment Coordinators are typically the leading authors of the APT. Submit the APT for departmental review. In order to access the APT submission system, a program username and password must be entered. This information is provided in an email sent out on March 1.
Department Heads review and approve program APTs under the department site. This site requires a username and password, which is provided in an email sent out on March 1. Some department heads may also choose to co-author program APTs.
Example APTs
The purpose of the template is to provide the most current assessment-related information for each of JMU's academic programs. A separate template is completed for each academic and certificate program offered at JMU.
Exemplar APT: College of Business
Exemplar APT: College of Science and Math
Exemplar APT: College of Health and Behavioral Studies
Exemplar APT: College of Visual and Performing Arts
Exemplar APT: College of Arts and Letters
Resources
APT Rubric
General Information for Contents of Each Section of the APT
Including Tables and Graphs in the Report
Complete How-To for the APT
Update to Rubric Rationale
APT System Guide for Dept. Head
APT System Guide for Assessment Coordinators
It is highly recommended the APT be drafted in Microsoft Word before it is then copied and pasted in APT submission system as a final version (i.e., a version that department heads will review). Drafting the template in Word makes it easier to edit and work with others. Additionally, the Word document can serve as a backup copy.
Alternative Option Information
These example APT alternatives can help guide your program in designing an alternative year project for learning improvement, or the assessment process, in your program, as well as guide the writing and submission of the one-page alternative. The APT alternative is to be submitted by the program with Department Head approval on or before June 1.”
Alternative Option Information Sheet
80's Pop Culture Alternative Example - Assessment Process
80's Pop Culture Alternative Example - Learning Improvement
CBIS Alternative Example - Assessment Process
CBIS Alternative Example - Learning Improvement
Overview of Meta-Assessment
Meta-assessment is the process of evaluating and providing diagnostic feedback to academic degree program’s assessment plans. The following presentation, given at SACSCOC in December 2016, provides a brief overview of the meta-assessment process at JMU. Please contact Program Assessment Support Services with further questions. A shorter webinar of the presentation can be found here.
SACSCOC Meta-Assessment JMU Workshop (ppt)
The APT Template
We understand that writing and organizing the APT can be difficult and that it may be unclear as to what exactly to include in the APT. PASS has developed a template for the APT that may be helpful in this regard. The APT Template has been designed to make your reporting as streamlined, efficient, and organized as possible. For every element of the APT rubric, there is a corresponding section on the APT Template. Tables are provided for many of the sections in the APT Template. You may use these specifically, or adapt them how you see fit. The APT template is completely optional, but we encourage you to examine it and determine if it would assist you in the reporting process. If you have any questions about the APT Template, please feel free to contact PASS (programassessment@jmu.edu).
Student Affairs Resources
*For resources on the assessment process and each step of the assessment cycle click here.
*For an example of learning improvement in Student Affairs at James Madison University, see the Examples of Learning Improvement click here.
StudentAffairs Assessment Reports
Reporting Template: The LADOR
General Education
*For resources on the assessment process and each step of the assessment cycle, see the General Resources section above.
*For an example of learning improvement in General Education at James Madison University, see the Examples of Learning Improvement tab under General Education Assessment.
Examples of Cluster Reports
Cluster 1, Skills for the 21st Century:
- Critical Thinking Report 2016
- Critical Thinking Report 2015
- Information Literacy Report 2016
- Information Literacy Report 2015
- Human Communication Report 2016
- Human Communication Report 2015
- Writing Report 2016
- Cluster One Assessment Timeline
Cluster 4: Social and Cultural Processes: Fall 14-Spring 15 Report
Cluster 5: Individuals in the Human Community: Fall 13-Spring 15 Report
Summer Assessment Fellows
During the month of June, The Center for Assessment & Research Studies, with the support of University Programs, hosts a summer fellowship program where faculty and administrators from across campus can come to learn about Assessment in a focused environment. The program is lead by Assessment Specialists, and Graduate Student Consultants within CARS. The program typically ranges from 2-4 weeks and has evolved in structure over the years to best accommodate the training needs of the University. For more information please click here.
Assessment Advisory Council
The current Assessment Advisory Council Charge is:
This body is charged with advising the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs regarding procedures and practices of assessment across the campus. The Provost has charged every member with reporting back to their constituents on current JMU assessment practice and policy.
The AAC should periodically:
- Review the procedures and processes pertaining to first year and late sophomore/early junior assessment days;
- Review the procedures and processes pertaining to assessment in academic and degree programs and certificates;
- Review the procedures and processes pertaining to assessment in library and educational technologies;
- Review the reporting of assessment data to students;
- Review external reporting (e.g. SCHEV) of assessment data off-campus;
- Suggest ways for better use of assessment data in APR, accreditation, C&I processes;
- Review implementation of competency requirements for on-campus applications such as General Education and for off-campus such as for community college articulation agreements;
- Suggest ways for better display of JMU program learning objectives, description of assessment instruments, results, and reported uses of results;
- Offer general recommendations regarding improvements to campus assessment practice.
- Work closely with the Student Affairs & University Planning Assessment Advisory Council pertaining to assessment in student affairs.
Assessment Advisory Council 2016 – 2017
Chair: Dr. Herb Amato
Associate Vice Provost , University Programs
Council Members listing can be found here.
