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ASSESSMENT PLAN

UNIVERSITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE & RIO GRANDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

(This Page was last updated: December 03, 2007)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.     THE MISSION
2.     NCA CRITERIA ON ASSESSMENT
3.     PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT
4.     EXIT OUTCOMES FOR UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE GRADUATES
5.     RIO DEFINITION OF ASSESSMENT
6.     ACADEMIC STRUCTURE
7.     RIO GRANDE ASSESSMENT PLAN

The Mission for the University and the uniqueness of the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College serves as the bases for the University Assessment Program Mission.  Criteria Three and Four from Criteria for Accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), Commission on Institutions of Higher Education provide guidelines for the development of the Principles of Assessment of the University Assessment Program.  The Assessment Plan consists of  the following: an assessment flowchart for the institution, the General Education Program Assessment Plan, plans for Major Program Assessment, assessment in other areas, and procedures for assessing the University Assessment Plan.

MISSION STATEMENT

The University of Rio Grande provides programs in the liberal arts, sciences, business, teacher education, fine and performing arts, nursing, and technologies. The University has a diverse curriculum and offers a range of educational opportunities with open access at a reasonable cost. The University grants Associate, Bachelor, and Master degrees. Rio Grande Community College offers a variety of credit and non credit courses, seminars, workshops, and events as part of life-long learning and enrichment. Historically, Rio Grande’s primary focus has been students from the Appalachian region. The institution is now more cosmopolitan with enrollments from states outside the region and foreign countries.

The University provides non discriminatory educational opportunities for the pursuit of academic excellence. The educational experience provides opportunities to develop a balance of intellectual, aesthetic, social and physical qualities that characterize the total human experience, and challenges students’ thinking and abilities. The University emphasizes learning that prepares students for the many occupations and professions necessary to live and work in a global community. (p. 7, Course Catalog 1999-2001)

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THE CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION (NCA)

CRITERION THREE:  The institution is accomplishing its educational and other purposes.

CRITERION FOUR:  The institution can continue to accomplish its purposes and strengthen its educational effectiveness.

(pp. 34-35,  Handbook of Accreditation, 1994-96)

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PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT

The following principles be adopted to guide the University Assessment Plan:

1. Assessment must develop from genuine institutional concerns, as a means of an educational purpose, not an end in itself.
2. Faculty should be involved in every step of assessment. Faculty should be responsible for planning, designing, and implementing any assessment program.
3. Faculty evaluation and promotion are not to be linked in any way to the University Assessment Plan.
4. The University must have clearly articulated outcomes.
5. The plan must be practical, not too time consuming nor too expensive.
6. The plan must be flexible, changing as needs, concerns, and interests warrant.
7. The University must recognize that the data will be imperfect, but the dialogue and reflection that are generated are what is important.
8. The University must communicate the Assessment Plan to its constituencies.
9. The widest range possible of assessment techniques should be utilized to provide a strong basis for decisions. Measures should include quantitative and qualitative data. Outcomes should be presented in proper context.
10. The Assessment Plan must be a visible part of the curriculum. Outcomes and measures of evaluation should be publicized.

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EXIT OUTCOMES FOR UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE GRADUATES

Upon completion of a degree program a graduate of the University of Rio Grande will have had opportunity to:

1. Demonstrate effective communication skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of mathematics and science, analytical ability, problem solving capacity, and the use of the scientific method.
3. Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the arts and the humanities.
4. Demonstrate a scientific knowledge of human behavior and cultural diversity and respect for different peoples of the world.
5. Demonstrate and value individual thinking, self-awareness and ethical behavior in civic and community responsibility.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of behaviors that will promote physical and psychological wellness over a lifetime.
7. Demonstrate mastery of prerequisite abilities for successful performance in occupations, graduate school, or other post college roles.

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RIO DEFINITION OF ASSESSMENT

Assessment is an integral part of teaching that provides an on-going process where information of student academic performance is collected (through multiple measures), analyzed against established expectations as described in goals/objectives/mission statements, and utilized at various levels to document, explain, and improve student performance.

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ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

(insert structure flow-chart)

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RIO GRANDE ASSESSMENT PLAN

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The General Education Program Assessment

General Education Mission Statement for Baccalaureate Degree Programs

The General Education Program provides liberal arts and science-based awareness, knowledge and skills as an integral part of students' ongoing learning experience and educational goals.  The Program offers opportunities for students to become literate, self-directed, committed to excellence, aesthetically aware and ethically responsible individuals concerned with integrity and respect for people.

Goals for General Education

Upon completion of the General Education Program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate effective communication skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. [skills, literate]

2. Demonstrate a scientific knowledge of human behavior and acknowledge cultural diversity of different peoples of the world. [liberal arts and science-based knowledge, respect for people, integrity]

3. Use an understanding of the historical and philosophical development of current cultures to demonstrate respect for human values and perspectives. [liberal arts, literate, respect for people]

4. Demonstrate and value individual thinking, self-awareness and ethical behavior in civic and community responsibility. [self-directed, ethically responsible, concerned with integrity, respect for people]

5. Demonstrate appropriate technological literacy and skills for personal and professional use. [knowledge and skills, literate]

6. Demonstrate an understanding of behaviors that best promote personal health and psychological well-being.  [ongoing learning experience, self-directed, committed to excellence]

7. Identify and appreciate artistic expressions from historical, philosophical, and cultural perspectives. [liberal arts,
   aesthetically aware]

8. Use appropriate critical thinking skills to solve problems.  [literate, ongoing learning experience]

9. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of mathematics and science, analytical ability, problem-solving capacity, and the use of the scientific method. [science-based awareness, ongoing learning experience, literate]

Goals for General Education for Associate Programs

For students pursuing an associate degree, the General Education requirements vary depending on the program content.  The faculty in the associate programs have designated the General Education outcomes which apply to the General Education requirements within their specific program:

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Major Program of Studies Assessment

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Assessment in Student Services

(insert the information when it is updated.)

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Procedures for Assessing the University Assessment Plan

(insert the information when it is updated)

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