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Assessment is a process whose ultimate goal is to improve student learning. According to the Middle States Association of Higher Education, "the purpose of assessment is to engage the campus community collectively in a systematic and continuing process to create shared learning goals and to enhance student learning."
Delaware Technical & Community College has a firm foundation for assessment of student learning outcomes. Program Graduate Competencies and Core Curriculum Competencies are the College student learning goals.
The focus or intent of assessment is often misunderstood. Nichols and Nichols (2000) state that it is easy to assume that individual students or graduates are the focus of assessment efforts since the data collected is derived from individuals. But the emphasis needs to be concentrated on program results and the aggregated data collected from individuals to improve education, training and services. Assessment is not an evaluation of individual students, faculty or staff.
The Middles States Commission on Higher Education has established Characteristics of Excellence relating to assessment and student learning. These standards are as follows:
Standard 7 - Institutional Assessment
The institution has developed and implemented an assessment plan and process that evaluates its overall effectiveness in: achieving its mission and goals; implementing planning, resource allocation, and institutional renewal processes; using institutional resources efficiently; providing leadership and governance; providing administrative structures and services; demonstrating institutional integrity; and assuring that institutional processes and resources support appropriate learning and other outcomes for its students and graduates.
Standard 14 - Assessment of Student Learning
Assessment of student learning demonstrates that the institution's students have knowledge, skills, and competencies consistent with institutional goals and the students at graduation have achieved appropriate higher education goals.
