Black Hills State University
General Education Assessment Plan
System General Education Goal 1
Goal: Students will write effectively and responsibly and will understand and interpret
the written expression of others.
Schedule:
Program review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter
Outcome
Assessment Method
Data / Results
Responsible Party
Write using standard
American English,
including correct
punctuation, grammar, and
sentence structure
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Writing
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement Gains
(Writing)
1. Writing Rubric
Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added,
student gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. English Faculty
2. Director of Institutional
Research in consultation
with selected faculty
Write logically
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Writing
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement Gains
(Writing)
1. Writing Rubric
Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added,
student gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. English Faculty
2. Director of Institutional
Research in consultation
with selected faculty
Write persuasively, with a
variety of rhetorical
strategies (e.g., expository,
argumentative, descriptive)
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Writing
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement Gains
(Writing)
1. Writing Rubric
Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added,
student gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. English Faculty
2. Director of Institutional
Research in consultation
with selected faculty
Incorporate formal research
and documentation into
their writing, including
research obtained through
modern, technology-based
research tools.
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Writing
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement Gains
(Writing)
1. Writing Rubric
Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added,
student gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. English Faculty
2. Director of Institutional
Research in consultation
with selected faculty
Actions
(TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
System General Education Goal 2
Goal: Students will communicate effectively and responsibly through listening and
speaking.
Schedule:
Program review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Assessment
Method
Student
Performance
Data / Results
Responsible Party
Oral
Presentation
Rubric Scoring
Results
Speech Communications
Faculty and Director of
Institutional Research
Demonstrate speaking
competencies including
choice of language usage,
presentational aids, and
delivery.
Student
Performance
Oral
Presentation
Rubric Scoring
Results
Speech Communications
Faculty and Director of
Institutional Research
Demonstrate listening
competencies by
summarizing, analyzing,
and paraphrasing ideas,
perspectives, and emotional
content.
Student
Performance
Oral
Presentation
Rubric Scoring
Results
Speech Communications
Faculty and Director of
Institutional Research
Prepare and deliver
speeches for a variety of
audiences and settings.
Actions
(TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
System General Education Goal 3
Goal: Students will understand the organization, potential, and diversity of the human
community through study of the social sciences.
Schedule:
Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Identify and explain basic
concepts, terminology, and
theories of the selected
social science disciplines
from different spatial,
temporal, cultural and/or
institutional contexts.
Assessment
Method
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP
Reading Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Data / Results
Responsible Party
1. Comprehension
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gain
4. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
1. Social Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
Apply selected social
science concepts and
theories to contemporary
issues
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP
Reading Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
1. Comprehension
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
1. Social Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
Identify and explain the
social or aesthetic values of
different cultures
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP
Reading Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
1. Social Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
The origin and evolution of
human institutions
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP
Reading Subtest
1. Comprehension
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
1. Comprehension
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
1. Social Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
Actions
(TBD)
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
3. Value added, student
gains
4. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
faculty
The allocation of human or
natural resources within
societies
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP
Reading Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
1. Comprehension
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
1. Social Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
The impact of diverse
philosophical, ethical or
religious views
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP
Reading Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
1. Comprehension
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
1. Social Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
General Education Assessment Plan
System General Education Goal 4
Goal: Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience
through study of the arts and humanities.
Schedule:
Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Demonstrate knowledge of
the diversity of values,
beliefs, and ideas embodied
in the human experience.
Assessment
Method
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Identify and explain basic
concepts of the selected
disciplines within the arts
and humanities
.
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Identify and explain the
contributions of other
cultures from the
perspective of the
selected disciplines within
the arts and humanities
Demonstrate creative and
aesthetic understanding
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Explain and interpret
formal and stylistic
elements of the literary or
fine arts
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Demonstrate foundational
competency in reading,
writing, and speaking a
non-English language.
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Data / Results
Responsible Party
1. Arts & Humanities
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
1. Arts & Humanities
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
1. Arts & Humanities
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
1. Arts & Humanities
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
1. Arts & Humanities
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
1. Arts & Humanities
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National and system
comparisons of student
perception of diversity
exposure
1. Arts & Humanities
Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Arts & Humanities
Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Arts & Humanities
Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Arts & Humanities
Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Arts & Humanities
Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Arts & Humanities
Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
Actions
(TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
System General Education Goal 5
Goal: Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and
reasoning.
Schedule: Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Use mathematical symbols
and mathematical structure
to model and solve real
world problems
Assessment
Method
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Math
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Math )
Demonstrate appropriate
communication skills
related to mathematical
terms and concepts
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Math
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Math )
Demonstrate the correct
use of quantifiable
measurements of real world
situations
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Math
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Math )
Data / Results
Responsible Party
1. Math Rubric Scoring
Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. Math Rubric Scoring
Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. Math Rubric Scoring
Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. Mathematics Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Mathematics Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Mathematics Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
Actions
(TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
System General Education Goal 6
Goal: Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and
apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.
Schedule:
Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Demonstrate the scientific
method in a laboratory
experience
Gather and critically
evaluate data using the
scientific method
Identify and explain the
basic concepts,
terminology and theories of
the selected natural
sciences
Apply selected natural
science concepts and
theories to contemporary
issues
Assessment
Method
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Science
Reasoning Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Science
Reasoning)
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Science
Reasoning Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Science
Reasoning)
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Science
Reasoning Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Science
Reasoning)
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Science
Reasoning Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement
Gains (Science
Reasoning)
Data / Results
Responsible Party
1. Science Reasoning
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. Science Reasoning
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. Science Reasoning
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. Science Reasoning
Rubric Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added, student
gains
4. Course GPA
averages
1. Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
1. Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research in
consultation with selected
faculty
Actions
(TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
System General Education Goal 7
Goal: Students will recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate,
organize, critically evaluate, and effectively use information from a variety of sources
with intellectual integrity.
Schedule: Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Assessment
Method
Student
Performance
Data / Results
Responsible Party
Information Literacy
Rubric Scoring Results
Access the needed
information effectively and
efficiently
Evaluate information and
its sources critically
Student
Performance
Information Literacy
Rubric Scoring Results
Student
Performance
Information Literacy
Rubric Scoring Results
Use information effectively
to accomplish a specific
purpose
Use information in an
ethical and legal manner
Student
Performance
Information Literacy
Rubric Scoring Results
Student
Performance
Information Literacy
Rubric Scoring Results
General Education
Committee and Director
of Institutional Research
General Education
Committee and Director
of Institutional Research
General Education
Committee and Director
of Institutional Research
General Education
Committee and Director
of Institutional Research
General Education
Committee and Director
of Institutional Research
Determine the extent of
information needed
Actions
(TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
Institutional General Education Requirement 1: Behavioral and Social Science
Goal: Students will more fully understand the processes and perspectives of the human
community through a broader study of the behavioral and social sciences.
Schedule:
Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Demonstrate an
understanding of the
responsibilities of
citizenship and how
to implement those
responsibilities
Assessment
Method
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Reading
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement Gains
(Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Examine human
behavior and mental
processes in different
multicultural,
historical, biological,
social, or
environmental
contexts
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Reading
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement Gains
(Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Demonstrate a more
global perspective
when viewing social
issues
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Reading
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Achievement Gains
(Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Explain how a value
system of a person, or
group, impacts
decision-making
1. Student
Performance
2. CAAP Reading
Subtest
3. ACT – CAAP
Data / Results
Responsible Party
1. Behavioral &
Social Sciences Rubric
Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added,
student gains
4. National and system
comparisons of
student perception of
diversity exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
1. Behavioral &
Social Sciences Rubric
Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added,
student gains
4. National and system
comparisons of
student perception of
diversity exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
1. Behavioral &
Social Sciences Rubric
Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
3. Value added,
student gains
4. National and system
comparisons of
student perception of
diversity exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
1. Behavioral &
Social Sciences Rubric
Scoring Results
2. National
comparisons
1. Behavioral & Social
Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
selected faculty
1. Behavioral & Social
Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
selected faculty
1. Behavioral & Social
Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
selected faculty
1. Behavioral & Social
Science Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
Actions (TBD)
Achievement Gains
(Reading)
4. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
3. Value added,
student gains
4. National and system
comparisons of
student perception of
diversity exposure
5. Course GPA
averages
selected faculty
General Education Assessment Plan
Institutional General Education Requirement 2: Fine Arts and Humanities
Goal: Students will more fully understand and appreciate the varieties of human
experience and creativity through a broader study of the fine arts and humanities.
Schedule: Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Demonstrate the
ability to understand
and interpret the
formal and stylistic
elements of the
humanities and/or the
arts
Demonstrate
knowledge of various
forms of arts and the
social contexts in
which they arise
Demonstrate
knowledge of the
range of values,
beliefs, and ideas that
shape cultures and
how they change over
time
Assessment
Method
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Data / Results
Responsible Party
1. Arts & Humanities
Rubric Scoring results
2. National and system
comparisons of
student perception of
diversity exposure
1. Fine Arts &
Humanities Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
selected faculty
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
1. Arts & Humanities
Rubric Scoring results
2. National and system
comparisons of
student perception of
diversity exposure
1. Arts & Humanities
Rubric Scoring results
2. National and system
comparisons of
student perception of
diversity exposure
1. Fine Arts &
Humanities Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
selected faculty
1. Fine Arts &
Humanities Faculty
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
selected faculty
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Actions (TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
Institutional General Education Requirement 3: Wellness
Goal: Students will attain the knowledge, assessment, and application skills necessary to
develop and maintain physical and mental wellness.
Schedule: Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Knowledge of
wellness content
Assessment of
wellness practices
Application of
knowledge and
assessment
Assessment
Method
Internal Expert
Achievement Pre- /
Post-Testing
Internal Expert
Achievement Pre- /
Post-Testing
Internal Expert
Achievement Pre- /
Post-Testing
Data / Results
Responsible Party
Wellness Rubric
scoring results
Wellness faculty and
Director of Institutional
Research
Wellness Faculty and
Director of Institutional
Research
Wellness Faculty and
Director of Institutional
Research
Wellness Rubric
scoring results
Wellness Rubric
scoring results
Actions (TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
System Graduation Requirement 1: Globalization/Global Issues
Goal: Students will understand the interconnectedness of the human experience by
investigating diverse international and cultural issues.
Schedule: Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Demonstrate their
awareness of
international connections
in issues such as ecology,
business, aesthetics,
politics, immigration,
literature, technology,
economics, etc.
Relate non-western
perspectives and
experiences to those of
the west so that both the
awareness of their
interrelatedness and the
breaking down of
barriers between them is
evident.
Identify and compare
western knowledge with
non-western paradigms
to clarify the cultural
constructs inherent in
intellectual and aesthetic
expressions.
Assessment
Method
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
Data / Results
Responsible Party
1. Globalization
Rubric Scoring
results
2. National and
system comparisons
of student perception
of diversity exposure
1. General Education
Committee
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
selected faculty
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
1. Globalization
Rubric Scoring
results
2. National and
system comparisons
of student perception
of diversity exposure
1. General Education
Committee
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
selected faculty
1. Student
Performance
2. BCSSE and
NSSE Survey
Results
1. Globalization
Rubric Scoring
results
2. National and
system comparisons
of student perception
of diversity exposure
1. General Education
Committee
2. Director of
Institutional Research
in consultation with
selected faculty
Actions
(TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
System Graduation Requirement 2: Writing Intensive Requirement
Goal: Students will learn and utilize the language of the discipline, use writing-to-learn
techniques to develop ideas and learn content, and understand the audience for, and
parameters of, writing done within the student’s specific major departments which decide
their students need a writing intensive course specific to the major should be allowed to
develop such a course.
Schedule: Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Outcome
Use writing to learn
course content,
understand the ideas and
the language of a
discipline, and discover
their own ideas relative
to the content of the
course.
Compose texts within the
discipline/area of study
of the course, through
drafting, revising, and
completing a finished
product (applying
appropriate style
manuals), in order to
comprehend more fully
the unique nature of the
knowledge within that
discipline as well as
potentially contribute to
it.
Develop critical thinking
skills unique to the
discipline and the subject
matter of the course.
Assessment
Method
Student
Performance
Data / Results
Responsible Party
Writing Rubric
Scoring Results
Department faculty
and Director of
Institutional Research
Student
Performance
Writing Rubric
Scoring Results
Department faculty
and Director of
Institutional Research
Student
Performance
Writing Rubric
Scoring Results
Department faculty
and Director of
Institutional Research
Actions
(TBD)
General Education Assessment Plan
Institutional Graduation Requirement: Research/Creative Activity
Goal: Students will develop an understanding of the Research/Creative activities
associated with their major.
Schedule: Program Review completed 2009; assessed continuously thereafter.
Option 1: Research activity
Outcome
Examine the elements of
research such as methods
of data collection, review
of literature, evaluation
of data and reporting of
data.
Assessment
Method
1. Student
Performance
2. Submit to
present or
publish
Data / Results
Responsible Party
Internal and/or
External Expert
Achievement - Juried
reviews
1.
2.
3.
Examine the obligations
to society relating to
research in their field.
1.
2.
Student
Performance
Submit to
present or
publish
Internal or External
Expert Achievement
- Juried reviews
1.
2.
3.
Actions
(TBD)
Department
faculty and
Director of
Institutional
Research
Professional
conference
presentations
Professional
publications
Department
faculty and
Director of
Institutional
Research
Professional
conference
presentations
Professional
publications
Option 2: Creative Activity – Students will:
Outcome
Demonstrate the basic
elements of creative
activity.
Assessment
Method
1. Student
Performance
2. Submit to
present or
publish
Data / Results
Responsible Party
Internal or External
Expert Achievement
- Juried reviews
1.
2.
3.
Critique the efforts of
others with respect to
both the creation of the
1.
2.
Student
Performance
Submit to
Internal or External
Expert Achievement
- Juried reviews
1.
Department
faculty and
Director of
Institutional
Research
Professional
conference
presentations
Professional
publications
Department
faculty and
Director of
Actions
(TBD)
product and the
marketing of product.
present or
publish
2.
3.
Institutional
Research
Professional
conference
presentations
Professional
publications