Amid growing signs of America's weakening position in the global economy, federal and state policymakers and major foundations have set ambitious goals for increasing postsecondary attainment in the United States. Given changing U.S. demographics, it has become clear that these national goals are attainable only with vastly improved outcomes among…

Over the past few decades, deterioration in student achievement has provoked a pervasive public sentiment that American institutions are failing to meet the needs and expectations of society. The growing public demand for transparency and accountability has fueled the integration of state-mandated learning outcomes assessment into the standards…

"Assessment on college campuses has a sordid history, and it is fairly simple to find someone with a traumatic tale to tell. It is wise to respect that that reputation is deserved." "How do you modify the inner workings and culture of a massive institution with minimal resources and even less authority (other than GE course…

A study was conducted to determine whether the strategies and tactics employed in the implementation and continuation of well-established honors programs at selected community colleges followed the five stages that Martorana and Kuhns identified as phases in the life cycle of academic innovation (i.e., exploration, formulation, trial, refinement,…

An overview is provided of the Quality First Process Model developed by Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC), Wisconsin, to provide guidelines for quality instruction and service consistent with the highest educational standards. The 16-step model involves activities that should be adaptable to any organization. The steps of the quality model are…

Prepared by the Outcomes Assessment Task Force (OATF) at Owens Community College (OCC), in Ohio, this document describes the philosophy guiding assessment at OCC and provides a non-prescriptive guide for implementing an assessment plan. Part I provides an introduction to outcomes assessment at OCC, including OCC's assessment philosophy, a list of…

The criteria used for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award can provide community colleges with a strategic tool for college planning, management, assessment, and accreditation. The Criteria focus on two measurable objectives for institutional effectiveness: the delivery of educational value to current and future students through instruction…

Sir Sandford Fleming College in Ontario, Canada is in the process of transforming itself from a teaching-based college to a student-centered organization. Faculty-led teams are a critical element in this transformation. With active support from its faculty union, Fleming has reduced its administrative ranks by one-third and created a host of teams…

Suggests that college compliance with external accrediting agency policies regarding outcomes assessment will not necessarily affect the internal academic environment. Recommends that outcomes assessment be presented to faculty as a student success approach, which does not threaten academic freedom or job security. Discusses the politics of…

In California community colleges, state-mandated matriculation consists of services intended to enhance student success and processes to improve institutional effectiveness by developing capacities for evaluation, coordination, and training. Each year, the Chancellor's Office conducts evaluations to assess the extent to which matriculation is…

In California community colleges, state-mandated matriculation consists of services intended to enhance student success and processes to improve institutional effectiveness by developing capacities for evaluation, coordination, and training. Each year, the Chancellor's Office conducts evaluations to assess the extent to which matriculation is…

In California community colleges, state-mandated matriculation consists of services intended to enhance student success and processes to improve institutional effectiveness by developing capacities for evaluation, coordination, and training. Each year, the Chancellor's Office conducts evaluations to assess the extent to which matriculation is…

This report results from a self-study performed by Kishwaukee College in Illinois to prepare for a site visit from the North Central Association for accreditation. It details operations and goal outcomes of the college, and divides these data into eight sections: (1) an introduction, which contains an institutional profile, accreditation history,…

This paper describes the activities and thoughts that went into the development and implementation of Brazosport College's institutional effectiveness (IE) model. The Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CCSEQ) was used to collect data on student satisfaction, and to provide constructs to use as outcome indicators for evaluating…

Formally stating and assessing student learning outcomes (SLOs) is a new focus for California community colleges required by the 2002 Accreditation Standards. This paper, the first in a series, explores one aspect of this sea change across the state: the emergence of a new group of faculty leaders, Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment…