Assessment is Everyone’s
Responsibility
One College’s Collaborative Assessment Efforts

Who is Paradise Valley
Community College?
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Maricopa County Community College District consists of 10 colleges and 2 skill centers in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area
Paradise Valley Community College is located in North Phoenix
In Fall 2008, PVCC had 9,105 headcount and 4,188 full-time equivalent students
PVCC is a Learning Centered College

Presentation Objectives
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Assessment is Everyone’s Responsibility
Learning Occurs In and Out of the
Classroom
General Education Learning Outcomes Can
Be Assessed Across the College
Collaboration is Critical

Key Questions
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How does this program, process, budget decision, or system impact student learning?
How do we know?
Based on assessment of student learning, in what ways are we improving and enhancing our programs and services?

How does learning occur in your department or area?

History of Assessment at PVCC
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How PVCC’s out-of-class assessment effort started

General Education Outcomes in Out of Class Settings
 Evidence of collaborative efforts

Describe how a general education outcome might apply to your area . . .
 Information Literacy
 Oral Communications
 Problem Solving
 Technology
 Written Communications

Out of Class Examples:
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Career Services
Student Life Center

Career Services :
Learning Outcomes
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Critical Thinking: The student will synthesize the best career path based on self-assessment and career research.
Information Literacy: The student will demonstrate the ability to research career paths and organizations related to major and evaluate options
Problem Solving: The student will be able to analyze if they qualify for jobs based on job descriptions and if the job will lead to desired career path/goal

Career Services :
Learning Outcomes
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Communication:
Listening: The student will conduct informational career interviews with literal and critical comprehension
Reading: The student will research print and online resources for career exploration
Writing: The student will communicate his/her job interests and qualifications through a resume and cover letter

Career Services :
Learning Outcomes
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Communication:
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Speaking: The student will achieve successful job interviews by:
Communicating his/her ideas in a competent and confident manner
Choosing and narrowing answers that pertain to the job description/company industry
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Organizing thoughts and answering behavioral interview questions
Using appropriate physical behaviors that support the verbal message

Career Services :
Learning Outcomes
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Technology: The student will utilize technological resources appropriately and efficiently
The student will conduct online career selfassessment
The student will conduct an online job search
The student will utilize the benefits of online job boards by creating an account, uploading their resume, and selecting the features/benefits that best meet their job search needs

Student Life Center :
Learning Outcomes
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Identify and apply diverse leadership strategies and skills.
Develop and apply organizational skills to establish goals and objectives, conduct meetings, plan events, and conduct evaluations.
Develop and utilize problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Student Life Center :
Learning Outcomes
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Develop and utilize effective oral and written communication skills.
Recognize and apply time and stress management strategies for balancing education, service, work, and leisure.
Develop intercultural competence and skills needed to live, work and serve in a diverse society.

Student Life Center :
Learning Outcomes
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Develop and apply civic responsibility, leadership values, and skills with a specific emphasis on leadership for social change.
Identify and utilize co-curricular and extracurricular programs in support for academic goal achievement.
Identify and apply behavioral modifications to enhance personal wellness.

Student Life Center :
Learning Outcomes
Develop and utilize problem solving and critical thinking skills
 Student Life and Leadership Problem
(Problem Solving Rubric)
Develop and utilize effective oral and written communication skills
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Emerging Leaders Final Project
(Written Communication Rubric)
Emerging Leaders Presentation
(Oral Communication Rubric)

How might your learning outcome be measured?
What impact would you expect results to influence?

What challenges exist to assess student learning in your institution / area?

Lessons Learned
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Out of class areas contribute to general education
Collaboration is critical between academic and out of class faculty and staff
Integration of resources should be supported (i.e., assessment manuals, websites, etc.)

Lessons Learned
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Define what you want to know (learning outcomes) - what is meaningful to you?
Select a few outcomes to measure
Identify champions both in and out of class and foster their leadership
The journey is messy and full of learning

Lessons Learned
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General education assessments may need to be adapted for specific applications
Some criteria dimensions may not be applicable
Performance definitions may need to be clarified
Examples help students and evaluators

Lessons Learned
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Learning can be more difficult to measure during transactional activities
Administrative services departments have especially struggled with related student learning (e.g., facilities, HR, and fiscal)
Some areas may need to assess staff learning

Lessons Learned
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Keep processes simple and consistent for plans and reports
Look at examples from others don’t reinvent the wheel
Be sure to “close the loop” and use the results to identify improvements; also, follow-up on changes for effectiveness
Celebrate successes and lessons learned

URL: www.paradisevalley.edu/AL/

Presenters
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Dr. Paul Dale, Interim President
Dr. Laurie Pemberton, Director Institutional Effectiveness
Dr. Rick Vaughn, Math Faculty
 Other Contacts:
 Norma Chandler, Coordinator of Career Services
 Heather Kruse, Director of Student Development
 www.paradisevalley.edu