Assessment Handbook

• Introduction
  • Characteristics of Assessment
  • Necessity of Assessment
  • Benefits of Assessment
  • Glossary

• Assessment at HCC
  • Future Direction
  • Flowchart of Assessment
  • Timeline
  • Evaluation
  • Principles
  • Grades and Assessment
  • Success and Retention

• Assessment of Learning Outcomes
  • Course Assessment
    • Course Outcomes
    • Verbs for Writing Outcomes Using Bloom
    • Assessment Instruments
    • Resources on Assessment
    • Evaluation Methods
    • Resources on Methods of Evaluation
    • Level of Achievement
    • Course Outcomes Matrix
    • Example of Completed Course Matrix
  • Program Assessment
    • Program Curriculum Map
    • Completed Program Curriculum Map
  • Institution-Wide Assessment
    • Institution-Wide Outcomes Matrix
    • Completed Institution-Wide Matrix
  • Reporting
    • Online Report of Outcome Assessment
    • Completed Online Reporting Form
  • Assessment Plan Checklist

Assessment Instruments

After determining what students need to know, be able to do, or think as a result of taking the course and writing student learning outcomes covering multiple levels of Bloom’s taxonomy and based on the SMART model, instructors will select ways to evaluate if students have achieved those outcomes. The first step in evaluating if students have met an outcome is to select or develop an assessment instrument. Instructors should realize that they do not necessarily need to add to what they are already doing in the course to assess students’ mastery of the material. Performances, presentations, assignments, test questions and similar class activities can be used to assess student learning on the established outcomes. Traditional testing methods alone are not always the most effective in evaluating course outcomes. Examples of assignments that could serve as assessment instruments to measure student learning on course outcomes appear below:

Basic Algebra

1. Outcome: Recognize and apply different methods of factoring.
2. Assessment: Examination asking students to factor several expressions

English Composition I

1. Outcome: Write research utilizing library facilities and research techniques.
2. Assessment: Research paper

Art Appreciation

1. Outcome:  Analyze works of art using the language of visual experience.
2. Assessment: Student’s participation in group presentation critiquing works of art