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PVCC Assessment Initiative
 

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Learn - Measure - Plan


VISION of the Paradise Valley Community College Assessment Initiative

The PVCC Assessment Initiative will be a coherent, sustainable and overarching system for planning, developing and implementing strategies and practices that measure student learning. The Assessment Initiative will encourage academic programs, learning support services and administrative services to use assessment results to stimulate reflective thinking and conversation that will contribute to the continuous improvement of student learning.


MISSION of the Academic Assessment Team

The PVCC Academic Assessment Team, with representatives from each academic division, supported by the Office of Planning, Research and Assessment, recommends, facilitates and supports policies, processes and practices used by the College for assessing student learning. The Team is a resource for faculty and staff who undertake assessment initiatives and a clearinghouse and reporting agent for college-wide data on academic achievement. In collaboration with academic divisions, assessment methodologies are developed and specific requirements of content, form and timing are established to measure student learning. Assessment data will be used to inform and implement changes leading to improved student learning.



Assessment Handbook Draft as of 12/2008
Report Cover

Introduction

Assessment Basics

PVCC Applications

Assessment Structures

Levels of Assessment

Implementing Assessment

Assessment Results

Examples and Resources

Appendices


UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS of the Academic Assessment Team:

The academic assessment portion of the PVCC Assessment Initiative will be:
 The cornerstone of a commitment to become a more learning centered college;
 Focused exclusively on the continuous improvement of learning;
 Developed by faculty teams;
 Viewed as an essential element of the College's instructional program;
 Derived from District and College goals and measures;
 Focused on the core learning outcome of critical thinking;
 Tailored to the specifics of each course, discipline, or division;
 Considered to be in a state of continuous refinement and improvement;
 Conformed to the Higher Learning Commission accreditation requirements;
 Communicated in simple and clear ways;
 Implemented and sustained over time throughout the College.



RELATIONSHIP OF ASSESSMENT TO STRATEGIC ISSUES:

This Assessment Strategic Plan will address the Strategic Issue  #1:  What should PVCC do to become a more learning centered college?



RELATIONSHIP OF ASSESSMENT TO LEARNING CENTERED INDICATORS

This Plan will address four of the twelve indicators that PVCC is becoming a more learning-centered college.  This assessment process will show that:

 Indicator #1: learning outcomes have been identified and made explicit;
 Indicator #2: learning outcomes serve as the centerpiece for program and curriculum development;
 Indicator #3: learning outcomes are measured for the purpose of intervention, remediation and continuous improvement, and;
 Indicator #10: learning serves as the focus of the college's strategic planning, budgeting and institutional effectiveness processes.



PVCC ASSESSMENT COMMITEE 2004-2005

Bob Bendotti Dean of Learning
Committee Chair
Tom Butler
Faculty English/Reading
Nancy Kolakowsky Faculty Mathematics
Marilyn Cristiano Division Chair Communication
Dan Donahue Faculty EMT/Fire Science
Jane Marks Faculty Biology
Paul Marsh Director Planning, Research & Assessment
Patri Mays Faculty Business / CIS
Bethanne Newman Faculty Business / CIS
Rick Vaughn Faculty Math, Former Committee Chair
Fred Wieck Faculty Counseling
Shelle Witten Division Chair Library