B.A. GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION)
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT PLAN
October, 2004
1. List the OBJECTIVES of the program.
OBJECTIVE 1: Graduates will obtain positions as practicing Earth Science educators and
will bring both content and process of Earth Science to all students.
2. Explain how the department or program will know the extent to which
OBJECTIVES are achieved (alumni or other surveys, employment data, etc.).
The Department of Geological Sciences will determine that Objective 1 has been met by
graduates of the Bachelor of Arts Earth Science concentration by their successfully
passing the Praxis II Earth Science content test required for Licensure by The State of
Ohio. Passing the Praxis II examination and their scores on the Group Assessment of
Logical Thinking (GALT) test will determine if they will bring content and process of
Earth Science to their students. Their scores on the Praxis III examinations will also be a
measure of this ability, and confirm that they are working as Earth Science educators.
3. List the LEARNING OUTCOMES of the program.
Learning Outcome 1: Students will acquire the Earth Science content knowledge needed
to teach students in K-12 settings.
Learning Outcome 2: Students will increase their ability to use critical thinking and use
that ability to develop inquiry-based classroom activities to engage their
students in the process of science.
4. List and briefly describe the MEASURES that will be used to assess each learning
outcome.
OUTCOME 1
Direct Measure: The Praxis II examination in Earth Science content area
OUTCOME 2
Direct Measure: GALT Test
Direct Measure: Praxis III examination in classroom teaching
5. Describe how learning outcomes are made MEASURABLE and BENCHMARKS
or other determinants of success are set.
Measure of Outcome1: At least a 90% pass rate of the Praxis II examination in Earth
Science content area.
Measure of Outcome 2: At least a 25% increase in the ability to think abstractly in the
sciences as measured by the value added method in the Group Assessment
of Logical Thinking (GALT) test between the time they enter the major
and graduation.
Measure of Outcome 2: At least a 90% pass rate in the Praxis III assessment of classroom
teaching.
6. Describe the process by which FINDINGS will be derived from the measures.
An assessment team of department faculty will review the results of Praxis II and III
scores generated each year by the Ohio Department of Education and posted to the
Wright State University website by the College of Education and Human Services. The
Group Assessment of Logical Thinking (GALT) assessment will be administered to
entering students taking GL250 each quarter the course is delivered and as part of the
student’s exit interview protocols. Findings will be reviewed each year by the faculty
assessment team.
The assessment team will compile data to quantify the student’s exit interview protocols
and the number of students completing the MS degree program, the mean and variance
for GPA and for time to completion. The results from different years will be compared to
determine trends. Compilation of the results will be turned in and archived by the
department chair.
7. Describe the process by which findings are analyzed to determine what
IMPROVEMENTS should be made to better meet objectives and learning outcomes.
Continuous improvement strategies are built into the assessment cycle. The Department
of Geological Sciences Undergraduate Studies Curriculum Committee will use annual
peer teaching reviews and compiled formative data to review and approve new and
existing courses as part of the assessment process. In addition, department faculty are
involved with the development of licensure programs that are submitted to Ohio
Department of Education (ODE) for approval. Praxis II and III data and GALT scores
will be analyzed and archived in our offices to improve courses provided by the
department.
8. Identify a TIMETABLE for assessment.
The Assessment Plan has annual tasks over its five-year cycle. The 2004-2005 academic
year will be year one of the five-year cycle. GALT information will be collected and
compiled every year as students move through their programs of study. Praxis II and
Praxis III assessment information will be collected from recently graduated
undergraduate students on a yearly basis. This data will form the basis for formative
evaluation of the program and learning outcomes. A summative evaluation will be
undertaken during year five. The Assessment Team composed of faculty, former
students, and current students in this program will assess the overall objectives and
learning outcomes of the program.
9. Briefly explain how the program’s assessment plan supports and interacts with
ACCREDITATION and LICENSURE requirements (if applicable).
This Assessment Plan is well integrated with the assessment requirements of NCATE and
other accreditation agencies needed for the continuing accreditation of Wright State
University. In addition, various programs are due each year for review by Ohio
Department of Education (ODE) and/or learned societies.
10. Describe how the objectives and learning outcomes of the program are
COMMUNICATED to students and others.
Objectives and learning outcomes will be communicated through program guides that are
given to each student when they enter the program. They will also be communicated
during student orientations and will be posted to the Department of Geological Sciences
website.