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Criterion Four: AssessmentSoutheast Missouri State University documents the academic achievement of its students through a multi-component assessment program. Analysis of the direct and indirect indicators gathered in assessment activities documents that students have mastery of the level of knowledge appropriate to the degree attained and efficiency in the skills and competencies essential for college educated adults. The assessment program at Southeast Missouri State University significantly pre-dates the mandate by NCA , growing out of commitments dating from 1967, when the University’s Office of Institutional Research was founded. From the middle to late 1970’s, the University collected information relating to student academic achievement and institutional effectiveness. Assessment activities increased gradually in the early to middle 1980’s. In November 1984, the Board of Regents approved a graduation requirement that all students must pass a writing proficiency test after completing 75 credit hours. From 1985 on, the University’s involvement in assessment grew rapidly. Assessment of student achievement received a formal focus in 1986, when an outcomes assessment task force, including representatives from the community, faculty, and students, was charged with developing an institutional outcomes assessment plan. The Board of Regents approved the plan in May 1987 (see exhibits). From 1986 through 1990, the Office of the Provost initiated a variety of assessment activities. In spring 1990, the University Planning Committee published a document, Institutional Goals and Objectives for 1990 1995, which formally acknowledged an institutional planning goal of implementing a systematic plan of assessment for all University programs. In summer 1990, the position of Director of Assessment was created in the Office of the Provost. From 1990 through 1993, the Director of Assessment identified areas for improvement in assessment of the major and general education, offered workshops on assessment, assisted departmental assessment efforts, published a campus assessment newsletter (Accent on Assessment), and developed a statement of Student Assessment Principles (see exhibits). The University Assessment Review Committee was appointed in spring 1993 to evaluate and revise the University’s assessment plan and develop a revised assessment plan for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (see exhibits). This plan was accepted by NCA in 1994 without stipulations. A review of departmental assessment activities was conducted in fall 1993. An Inventory of Departmental Assessment Activities, 1993 94 (see exhibits), was developed and reported, along with the results of the interviews, to the University Assessment Review Committee. In 1999 the committee approved assessment plans for Student Services departments in the areas of Enrollment Management and Student Development. |
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