Annual Progress Report on
Assessment of Student Learning
Student Life Units
Academic year: 2010-11
Student Life Unit/Program: Educational Supportive Services (ESS)
Person(s) preparing report: Kathleen Greene, Ph.D.
Date submitted: August 19, 2011
In one paragraph, summarize your 2010-11 Annual Progress Report
The ESS 2010 assessment results indicated that tutoring and the Academic Enrichment Program course
assignments contributed to students learning. Tutor evaluation of students’ progress and grade reports were
used to assess student learning in the courses that they were tutored in. Overall, these results indicated that
most of the students who used tutoring on a regular basis were making satisfactory progress towards earning
a bachelor’s degree. ESS students who were on academic warning were invited to participate in the
Academic Enrichment Program for 2 cr. hours to improve the critical thinking skills that are necessary to
succeed in higher education. The assessment by the course instructor indicated that students improved their
critical thinking skills (identifying areas for personal/academic improvement and exploring and expressing
ideas based on investigation of relevant literature).
Provide the web link to department web site where degree program SLOs, Alignment Matrix, and
2010 APR Summary are posted
http://www.k-state.edu/ess/sltudent outcomes.htm
1) List the complete set of Student Learning Outcomes/Objectives for your unit (all SLOs identified
for your unit)
ESS program participants will be able to demonstrate:
1. Effective use of tutoring assistance by attending sessions as scheduled,
completing course assignments, and being prepared to ask questions over material that is not
understood.
2. Effective study skills by achieving at least satisfactory grades on course
assignments and exams.
3. Effective critical thinking skills in applying knowledge at levels
required in pursuing a baccalaureate degree, such as interpreting
information, solving problems, and evaluating actions.
2) Identify the Student Learning Outcomes/Objectives (from the full list above) that were assessed
for this Annual Progress Report and how they are inclusive of the university undergraduate
SLOs (knowledge, communication, critical thinking, diversity, academic and professional
integrity).
SLOs assessed for 2010-11 were:
1. Effective use of tutoring assistance by attending sessions as scheduled, completing course
assignments, and being prepared to ask questions over material that is not understood.
(knowledge, communication, diversity, and academic/professional integrity).
2. Effective critical thinking skills in applying knowledge at levels
required in pursuing a baccalaureate degree, such as interpreting
information, solving problems, and evaluating actions (knowledge, critical
thinking, communication, diversity, academic/professional integrity).
3) For each learning outcome, describe (a) the measures used (at least one direct measure must be used
for each student learning outcome) ,(b) the sample of students from whom data were collected, (c)
the timetable for the collection, and (d) the forum in which the measures were administered.
(Examples of direct measures can be accessed at http://www.kstate.edu/assessment/plans/measures/direct.htm).
1. Effective use of tutoring assistance by attending sessions as scheduled, completing course
assignments, and being prepared to ask questions over material that is not understood
(knowledge, communication, diversity, and academic/professional integrity).
(a) Indirect measure
(b) Sample: 135/172
(c) Timetable: Data collected throughout the Fall 2010 semester
(d) Forum: Review tutor evaluation of students’ progress as demonstrated by
their preparedness for the session and the end of the semester grade reports
2. Effective critical thinking skills in applying knowledge at levels
required in pursuing a baccalaureate degree, such as interpreting
information, solving problems, and evaluating action
(a) Direct measure
(b) Sample: 10/11
(c) Timetable: Data collected throughout the Spring 2011semester
(d) Forum: Assignments assessed by the Academic Services Coordinator (ASC)
4) Describe the results of the assessment. (What do they tell you about student learning? What did you
learn about strengths and weaknesses of your unit?) If specific results are not available, describe the
progress that has been made on the initiatives included in the approved assessment plan.
1. Effective use of tutoring assistance by attending sessions as scheduled, completing course
assignments, and being prepared to ask questions over
material that is not understood.
 Although specific results were not available, tutor weekly evaluation of students’
progress indicated that most students used the sessions as intended (see attached
form).
 78% (135/172) of the students who participated in tutoring as scheduled achieved
minimum grades of C or above in the courses that they were tutored in.
ESS offered tutorial services that resulted in most of its program participants achieving satisfactory
grades in the courses that they tutored in. This indicates that with guided assistance ESS students
generally can be successful in their courses. ESS peer and professional tutors are trained in learning
strategies and how to tutor students from varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
Continued training for tutors in the area of learning strategies will continue to further increase the
rate of students achieving minimum grades of C or above.
2. Effective critical thinking skills in applying knowledge at levels required in pursuing a
baccalaureate degree, such as interpreting information, solving problems, and evaluating
actions.

70% (7/10) of the students demonstrated effective critical thinking skills in the
Academic Enrichment course based on the graded assignments by the ASC.
Assignments included discussion, analysis and reflection of assigned readings and a
paper summarizing what was learned and how it will be applied to being a student
at K-State and life in general.
ESS students enrolled in this course were on academic warning and most were able to
demonstrate effective critical thinking skills. To further enhance the critical thinking skills
of more ESS students on academic warning, the ASC will look for other assignments in
an attempt to engage all of the students.
5) Describe the actions and/or revisions that were implemented in response to the previous year’s
assessment results and the effects on student learning observed on this year’s SLOs. This is ESS’ first
year to complete SLOs.
6) Describe the process by which faculty reviewed the results of this year’s SLOs and the actions
and/or revisions that are planned in response to the assessment results. (include changes that may be
made to unit SLOs or to the general assessment strategy)
ESS staff reviewed and discussed the results of this year’s SLOs during regularly scheduled staff meetings.
Staff explored ways to increase the rate of students to achieve satisfactory grades in the courses they were
being tutored in. Weekly attendance and student evaluation by tutors will be reviewed in a timelier manner
and appropriate intervention strategies will be used. Additionally, staff explored ways to increase the
number of contacts of students enrolled in the Academic Enrichment course to increase the rate of students’
being able to demonstrate critical thinking skills.
7) Briefly describe the long-range plan to assess all of the outcomes (if assessing over a sequence of years).
ESS will continue to use the two SLOs that were assessed this year. We plan to administer a Study Skills
Assessment to students prior to receiving tutoring and after receiving tutoring beginning in fall 2011. The
initial assessment results will be discussed with students. Staff will provide strategies for students to use to
strengthen study skill areas needing improvement. Students’ assessment after receiving tutoring will be
reviewed by the ASC to determine if there was improvement in students’ study skills.