Glossary for Outcomes & Assessment

The following is a glossary of working definitions adopted by the Outcomes and Assessment Committee.  Their purpose is to provide a common vocabulary that will help frame our discussions and guide our decisions. 

As we gather information about their usefulness, these definitions will be revisited and, when appropriate and allowable, revised.

Working Definitions

OUTCOME

Knowledge, skills, and abilities that a student has attained at the end (or as a result) of his or her engagement in a particular set of collegiate experiences. WASC

OUTCOME STATEMENT

Statements describing what students should know, understand, and be able to do with their knowledge when they complete courses, degrees, certificates, or enter employment, or transfer to other higher education institutions or programs.”  Modified from Huba and Freed.  Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses (9-10).

ASSESSMENT

“Methods that an institution employs to gather evidence and evaluate quality.”  WASC

The systematic collection of information about student learning that informs decisions about how to improve learning.  Modified from Walfvoord. Assessment Clear and Simple.  (2)

Note: We evaluate individuals.  We assess groups.

PROGRAM

Instruction in recognized and emerging fields of study that culminate in identified student outcomes leading to degrees, certificates, employment, or transfer to other higher education institutions or programs.  Modified from ACCJC.

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last updated 03/07/2006