By:
Kathy Mendelsohn
Cheryl O’Donnell
Question 1
SLO is an abbreviation for:
a)
b)
c)
San Luis Obispo (true, but not this one!)
Severely Limited Organization
Student Learning Outcome

According to Peter Ewell a student learning
outcome is “ . . . Defined in terms of the
particular levels of knowledge, skills, and
abilities that a student has attained at the end
(or as a result) of his or her engagement in a
particular set of collegiate experiences.”
Question 2
PLO is an abbreviation for:
a)
b)
c)
Palestine Liberation Organization
Partially Limited Organization
Program Learning Outcome

The definition of a PLO is the same as that of
an SLO. The difference is that the SLO is a
statement of what the student will know or be
able to do at the end of the course while the
PLO is what the student will know or be able
to do upon completion of the program.
◦ Certificates
◦ Degrees
Question 3
CC is an abbreviation for:
a)
b)
c)
Carbon Copy
Carston Charles Sabathia (Go Yankees!)
Core Competencies


Hartnell’s Core Competencies are the
knowledge, skills, and values that a student
will have upon completing a degree, and/or
the general education requirements for
transfer.
Because the Core Competencies are broad
expectations, a single course does not meet
all of the Core Competencies.
Communication Skills

Students will demonstrate reading comprehension and expository writing skills at a college level.
Information Skills

Students will define information needs, access information efficiently and effectively, evaluate information critically,
and use information ethically.
Critical Thinking/Problem solving

Students will use quantitative and logical reasoning to analyze information, evaluate ideas, and solve problems.
Global Awareness

Students will demonstrate knowledge of global interdependence; others’ values, cultures and beliefs; and the ability
to describe one’s own cultural heritage.
Aesthetic Appreciation

Students will critically reflect upon works of visual and performing arts in a diverse cultural context.
Personal Growth and Responsibility


Students will promote a lifestyle that reflects physical and mental health.
Students will demonstrate the importance of being an informed, ethical, and active citizen in their community and
the world.
Question 4
SAO is an abbreviation for:



a) Student Affairs Office
b) Student Alumni Organization
c) Service Area Outcome


A Service Area Outcome (SAO) is a statement
about what a client will experience, receive,
or know as a result of a given service
Clients are:
◦
◦
◦
◦
Students
Faculty
Staff
Community members





Faculty assess
Document their
results
Meet collectively to
discuss and analyze
Possible action
plans
1 summary report
submitted per SLO
per course

Different approaches can
be used
◦ Capstone projects or
portfolios
◦ Sequential Courses with
final course data
◦ Indirect assessment –
surveys
◦ Rolling up of course data

Results entered on PLO
Summary Report
◦ Reports are currently
accessible on SLO website
http://www.hartnell.edu/slo/Program_Assessment_Results.html

Completed thus far
◦ Written Communication
◦ Information Competency
◦ Graduate Survey which addressed:
 Global awareness
 Aesthetic Appreciation
 Personal Growth and Responsibility

Upcoming graduate survey
◦ Original questions from 2012 survey
And
◦ Questions from the CCSSE

Written Communication and Info Competency
◦ Examine data from Turnitin

Focus on outcomes that typically assess a
process or client satisfaction
◦ Surveys
 IT
 Safety
 Food Services
◦ Focus Groups
 Human Resources
 Student Life





71% of offered courses were assessed in Fall
2013
50% of active courses have been assessed
50% of SAOs have been assessed
75% of programs have been assessed
100% of Core Competencies have been
assessed





Student outcomes and assessment software
Web-based
Systematically examine outcomes across
courses, programs and the institution
Meet accreditation requirements
Provide reports with helpful, meaningful data

We did our assessments last semester, so we
don’t have to do assessments this semester!
FALSE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Participate in reviewing outcome statements
to ensure they are measuring something
meaningful
Conduct assessments
Review (analyze and discuss) findings
Develop ways to improve—be creative
Go back to Step 1
CYCLE OF CONTINUOUS
IMPROVEMENT



Kathy Mendelsohn, Dean of Learning Support
and Resources
Cheryl O’Donnell, SLO Coordinator/Faculty
Outcomes and Assessment committee
◦ Meets every 2nd and 4th Monday
◦ 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in E215