J&W Art & Sciences | Outcomes Assessment

Assessment Theory
what it is
why it's needed
Assessment: A&S
For Students

Listed below are two sets of critical steps and phases of outcomes assessment.

Critical Steps of Assessment (Crossman & Pandolfini, 2003)
1. form committee(s)
2. develop/refine outcomes
3. develop/use outcomes statement
4. conduct a curriculum audit
5. design instruments and pilot studies
6. pilot instruments and refine as necessary
7. pilot initial studies
8. evaluate, report findings, refine studies
9. use findings to refine teaching and learning
10. continue assessment processes

The McCann Outcomes Assessment Cycle (Woldt, 2003)
1. determine the institutions, programs, or course's mission, goals or strategic plan
2. develop measures to assess goals
3. collect outcomes data
4. analyze the data in relation to the goals
5. share the results with appropriate audiences
6. develop recommendations for improvement
7. implement improvements
8. follow-up on improvements

Crossman, J. M., & Pandolfini, T.J. (2003). Assessing general education outcomes at a
career university: Theory and practice. Journal of Arts & Sciences in Career and Experiential Education, 2(1), 15-20.

Woldt, J., L. (2003, June). Obstacles in outcomes assessment: Identifying and
overcoming them. Presented at the Assessment Conference of the American
Association of Higher Education, Seattle WA.