New Faculty PowerPoint about Student Learning Outcomes
Where do I find the most current SLOs?
SLOs are found on the course outline of record (COR). Faculty can view the most up-to-date SLOs in CORs from https://marin.elumenapp.com/public/ Note: Click "Reconnect," then the Department and Course, and then on the blue Course Outline Report in the 3rd column to view current SLOs in the course outline of record.
When do I assess SLOs?
2023/24 is an assessment year. All courses and all sections of courses are assessed. 2024/25 is an analysis year and faculty will be analyzing their SLO data. No assessments are required in an analysis year. Best Practice: SLOs are assessed every semester.
What do I do with the results?
Faculty assess SLOs for their course using eLumen, which can be accessed through MyCOM.
Who develops the processes of assessment?
It is within the purview of the faculty of College of Marin to develop the criteria by which student progress may be evaluated. These ongoing processes are open to modification and improvement. Not all assessment need be done in individual classes, and not every faculty member need assess all of the core learning. Faculty shall maintain ownership of student learning outcomes and assessment processes.
What will assessment be used for?
At College of Marin, ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes helps us understand, and thereby improve, student learning through informed decision making and planning. More specifically, assessment helps us:
- Identify areas in our curriculum where student success rates are uneven amoung student subpopulations
- Improve services, feedback, guidance, and mentoring to students in order to help them better plan and implement their educational programs
- Design and improve programs and courses
- Plan at the department and program level
- Identify shared definitions and measurable benchmarks for evaluating student abilities
- Understand how groups of students experience the college differently and respond appropriately to the needs of all students
What will assessment NOT be used for?
Effective assessment relies upon a climate of trust and freedom of inquiry. As faculty at College of Marin, we perform assessments of student learning and control the results of our assessments. Data gathered in support of all learning assessment work shall be aggregated so as to remove the identity of any students faculty, and/or staff.
Therefore, College of Marin:
- Will not use assessment of student learning as an end in itself. Assessment that does not help us promote student learning is a waste of time.
- Will not use assessment of student learning punitively or as a means of determining faculty or staff salaries or rewards. The purpose of assessment is to evaluate student learning, not to reward or punish faculty or staff.
- Will not use any single mode of assessment to answer all questions or strictly determine program decisions.
- Will not use assessment in a way that will impinge upon the academic freedom or professional rights of faculty. Individual faculty members must continue to exercise professional judgment in matters of grading and discipline.
- Is not expected to assess ALL students in order to learn about the effectiveness of our programs and policies; a subset is sufficient.
- Will not assume that assessment is only quantitative. While numerical scales or rubrics (such as the four-point grading scale) can be useful, their accuracy always depends upon the clear understanding of the concepts behind the numbers. We will not assume that assessment is only grading.
- Will not use student learning outcomes for the evaluation of faculty.
- Will not use student learning outcomes data for program/discipline reduction or elimination.
What is the college's role in assessing student learning?
Assessment of student learning can significantly enhance the college’s ability to fulfill our mission and goals. Consequently, the college supports assessment of student learning as a valued and important activity.