2009-2010 Annual Progress Report
The Kansas Board of Regents approved the new American Ethnic Studies undergraduate major (Bachelor of Arts
and Bachelor of Science) spring 2009. The program has now developed a formalized process to assess the
program’s student learning outcomes. For this assessment report, approximately 600 students enrolled as either
secondary majors, minors, new undergraduate degree majors, and students enrolled in our introductory level
classes (AMETH 160: Introduction to American Ethnic Studies) were used as the data collection sample.
For this reporting period, the American Ethnic Studies Program assessed the following two student learning
outcomes:
SLO 1. Understanding one’s ethnic identity and how it influences identity development
SLO 2. Knowledge of diverse ethnic groups and their cultures
More than 85% of students enrolled in AMETH 160: Introduction to American Ethnic Studies classes
demonstrated a high level of competency related to the successful achievement of student learning outcome #1
(Understanding one’s ethnic identity and how it influences identity development). In addition, ninety percent
of 87 students enrolled in two sections of the Introduction to American Ethnic Studies class pilot project
participated in a multicultural lab experience combined with journaling assignments, demonstrated a high
pass/pass level of achievement indicative of improved ethnic identity development growth.
For student learning outcome #2, Knowledge of diverse ethnic groups and their cultures, approximately 75%
students received a score of C or better (16% in the high pass category, 38% pass and 22% low pass) for three
exams which demonstrated success in gaining knowledge about diverse ethnic groups.
An indirect measurement, the cross cultural progression scale did not demonstrate a significant growth from pretest (4.6 - 4.7) and post test (4.8 -5.0) results. The lack of substantial post-test growth confirms the research that
suggests students many times self report themselves higher in cross- cultural progression scales pre-tests, which
may not accurately reflect their beginning level of multicultural competence. Thus, post scores may actually
reflect a higher increase in multicultural growth and experience than indicated.
AMETH Teaching & Learning Matrix – for each student learning outcome, where does the student have the
opportunity to learn the outcome and where is student achievement of the outcome assessed?
SLO/Required Courses
Knowledge #1 Understanding of their own ethnic identity
and how it influences their identity development
Knowledge #2 knowledge of diverse ethnic groups and their
cultures
Knowledge #3 Understanding of how race and ethnic
relations have been and are shaped by economic, social and
political realities
Knowledge #4 Knowledge of the changing demographics of
ethnic minority and majority populations in the U.S.
Attributes #1 Ability to respond and adapt to new and
changing situations
Attributes #2 Appreciation for those who are different from
themselves
Attributes #3 Ability to empathize with another person’s
cultural perspective.
Skills #1 Verbal and nonverbal communications skills in
interaction with those who are culturally different from
themselves
Skill #2 Ability to work effectively in culturally diverse
groups toward a common goal
Skill #3 Ability to listen effectively
Skill #4 Ability to apply conflict resolution skills in
multicultural dyads and groups
Skill #5 Ability to apply critical thinking skills
Skill #6 Ability to speak and write in more than one
language *
Skill #7 Leadership skills in multicultural settings that
reflect concern for social and economic justice and service
orientation
University SLO’s
Knowledge (in American Ethnic Studies and general
education)
Critical thinking (information literacy, adaptability, analytic
reasoning)
Communication (clearly & effectively)
Diversity (awareness & understanding of skills necessary to
live & work in a diverse world)
Ethical standards (awareness & understanding of ethical
standards of discipline)
AMETH
160
X
AMETH
449
X
X
AMETH
450
X
AMETH
550
AMETH
650
X
A
X
A
X
X
X
A
X
A
X
A
X
A
X
A
A
A
A
X
X
X
X
A
A
X
X
X
X
A
X
X
X
X
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A
A
X
A
*This outcome will be considered accomplished if a student passes a level IV modern languages class.
Place an “X” for courses in which students has the opportunity to learn the outcome.
Place an “A” for courses in which students’ performance is used for program level assessment of the
outcome.
Student Learning Outcomes
B.A/B.S Degree Program in American Ethnic Studies
Knowledge - Awareness and understanding needed to live and work in a diverse world.
Graduates of the American Ethnic Studies program will be able to demonstrate their...
1. Understanding of their own ethnic identity and how it influences their identity development.
2. Knowledge of diverse ethnic groups and their cultures.
3. Understanding of how race and ethnic relations have been and are shaped by economic, social, and
political realities.
4. Knowledge of the changing demographics of ethnic minority and majority populations in the U.S.
Personal Attributes - Traits needed by those who live and work in a diverse world.
Graduates of the American Ethnic Studies program will be able to demonstrate their...
5. Ability to respond and adapt to new and changing situations.
6. Appreciation for those who are different from themselves.
7. Ability to empathize with another person's cultural perspective.
Skills - Behaviors and performance tasks needed to live and work in a diverse world.
Graduates of the American Ethnic Studies program will be able to demonstrate their ...
8. Verbal and nonverbal communication skills in interaction with those who are culturally different from
themselves.
9. Ability to work effectively in culturally diverse groups toward a common goal.
10, Ability to listen effectively.
11. Ability to apply conflict resolution skills in multicultural dyads and groups.
12. Ability to apply critical thinking skills.
13. Ability to speak and write in more in than one language.
14. Leadership skills in multicultural settings that reflect concern for social and economic justice and a
service orientation.
K-State Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
Students will demonstrate a depth of knowledge and apply the methods of inquiry in a discipline of
their choosing, and they will demonstrate a depth of knowledge across their choice of varied disciplines.
Critical Thinking
Students will demonstrate the ability to access and interpret information, respond and adapt to
changing situations, make complex decisions, solve problems, and evaluate actions.
Communication
Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Diversity
Students will demonstrate awareness and understanding of the skills necessary to live and work in a
diverse world.
Academic and Professional Integrity
Students will demonstrate awareness and understanding of the ethical standards of hei academic
discipline and/or profession.
American Ethnic Studies
Assessment of Student Learning Plan
Student Portfolios
Prepared by students during their degree program and used for on-going assessment of their
learning and for a summative assessment of learning at degree completion.
Although student portfolios will be individual to each student, all will have the following elements:
1. A table of contents, listing the title of each item, the course for which it was required, where
appropriate, and the date of submission.
2. Required items: one pap r from each of the following classes - AMETH 449, 450, 550, and the
seminar project from AMETH 650
3. A list of courses taken to complete the American Ethnic Studies major;
4. An original essay (2-3 pages) in which the student reflects on her/her learning, with emphasis on
how this learning bas influenced and will continue to influence the her/his personal and
professional behavior, attitudes, and life choices;
Portfolio Assessment
All grading will be done by the faculty person who is the instructor of the course in which the
assignment is made. For degree program assessment of student learning purposes, however,
other AMETH faculty will participate. During the two months following the end of .finals in the Fall
an Spring semesters, the portfolio of each graduate will be evaluated independently by two
members of the faculty and rated on the level of student achievement of the Al\.1ETH and
University Student Learning Outcomes (the A11ETH Director will review files for which there are
significantly disparate ratings by the two evaluators. These ratings will constitute the aggregate
assessment of how well our graduates are achieving these outcomes.
Using the following assessment rubric, the evaluator will rate the individual parts of the portfolio
according to the following scale:
• Exemplary - student demonstrates mastery of the Outcome that far exceeds expectation for an
undergraduate degree candidate
• Exceeds Expectations - student demonstrates mastery of the Outcome that is more than is
expected of an undergraduate degree candidate
• Acceptable - student demonstrates mastery of the Outcome satisfactorily for an undergraduate
degree candidate
• Below minimum standards - student's mastery of the Outcome is below what is expected of an
undergraduate degree candidate
A subcommittee of the AMETH Faculty, composed of core and affiliated faculty who have taught
cross-listed courses within the past three years will meet each year to review the rated portfolios of
the year's graduating students. Based on this review, they will suggest revisions to the curriculum,
the assessment process, and/or the Student Learning Outcomes. The AMETH Governing Board
and Curriculum Committees will consider these suggestions and bring proposed revisions to the
full faculty for their consideration.
American Ethnic Studies Portfolio Assessment
Portfolio #
SLO/Artifacts
AMETH
160
Name of Rater
AMETH
AMETH
450
550
AMETH
650
Essay
Identity
Development
Knowledge of
groups & Cultures
Economic, social,
political realities
Demographics
Adaptability
Appreciation of
different people
Empathy with other
cultural
perspectives
Verbal &
Nonverbal
communication
Work with diverse
groups
Listen effectively
Conflict resolution
Critical thinking
Speak & Write in
more than one
language
Leadership skills
University SLO’s
Knowledge
Critical thinking
Communication
Diversity
Ethnical Standards
Scoring Rubric
4 - Exemplary - student demonstrates mastery of the Outcome that far exceeds expectations for
an undergraduate degree candidate
3 - Exceeds Expectations - student demonstrates mastery of the Outcome that is more than is
expected of an undergraduate degree candidate
2 - Acceptable - student demonstrates mastery of the Outcome satisfactorily for an undergraduate
degree candidate
1 - Below minimum standards - student's mastery of the Outcome is below what is expected of
an undergraduate degree candidate