Assessment Report
July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012
PROGRAM ASSESSED
Urban Affairs
ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR Jerri Killian
YEAR 3 of a 5 YEAR CYCLE
1.
2.
ASSESSMENT MEASURES EMPLOYED
Briefly describe the assessment measures employed during the year.
a.
What was done?
Program objectives were to be assessed through Alumni Surveys, Exit Interviews
and Awards and Recognition. The learning outcome Problem Solving was to be
assessed through Service-learning Evaluations and Exit Surveys.
b.
Who participated in the process?
Students enrolled in selected URS courses, URS faculty (including adjuncts), and
UAG administrative staff.
c.
What challenges (if any) were encountered?
Alumni Surveys, Exit Interviews, and Service-learning Evaluations were not
performed due to resource constraints.
ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
List the objectives and outcomes assessed during the year, and briefly describe
the findings for each.
Objectives Assessed:
1. Students will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to enter positions of
responsibility and authority in the public or nonprofit sectors.
2. Students who wish to pursue post graduate programs of study will be sufficiently
prepared for success in such programs.
3. Students will possess the knowledge, skills, abilities, and values to serve as
ethical professionals in our global society.
Objectives Measures and findings:
Awards and Recognition: Urban Affairs students and alumni shall be recognized at
the local, state, and/or national levels.
Findings:
 Matthew Obringer was recognized as the Outstanding Urban Affairs student
 Randy Beane was recognized as the Outstanding Urban Affairs alumni
Learning Outcome Assessed: Problem Solving
Students will be able to evaluate solutions for problems created by urban growth and
change.
Learning Outcome Measures and Findings:
Exit Surveys: A quantitative survey shall be administered to students enrolled in URS
311, 321, 345, 410, 411 and 450 at the end of each quarter to assess perceptions of the
extent to which each of these courses and the URS program to date, respectively,
facilitates achievement of stated learning outcomes; a mean score of at least 2.0 (1 is
best) on a 4-point scale shall be realized for each course.
Findings: An overall mean score of 1.85 was realized on URS Exit Surveys with
a mean score of 1.90 for the assessed URS courses and 1.79 for the program as a
whole. These findings exceed the standard set for this measure by 8%.
3.
RESPONSE TO ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
List planned or actual changes (if any) to curriculum, teaching methods, facilities,
or services that are in response to the assessment findings.
Findings: The URS Alumni Survey and Exit Interviews will be performed when
fiscal and human resources become available for this purpose. A reflection
instrument designed to capture the value of the service learning approach in
relation to solving “real world” problems will be developed in the near future.
4.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES FOR COMING YEAR
Briefly describe the learning outcomes to be assessed during the upcoming year
and the measures that will be used to assess them.
Findings:
Learning Outcome to be Assessed in 2012-13:
Key URS Program Content Knowledge
Planned Assessment Measures:
Archival Records: 75% of Urban Affairs’ majors will earn a “B” or better
in URS 311, 321, 345, 410, 411 and 450 (or their semester equivalents) as
a reflection of demonstrated student performance, comprehension,
retention, and application of key course and program content.
2
Exit Surveys: a quantitative survey shall be administered to students
enrolled in URS 311, 321, 345, 410, 411 and 450 (or their semester
equivalents) at the end of each term to assess perceptions of the extent to
which each of these courses and the URS program to date, respectively,
facilitates achievement of stated learning outcomes; a mean score of at
least 2.0 (1 is best) on a 5-point scale shall be realized for each course.
5.
UNIVERSITY LEARNING OUTCOME ASSESSMENT
As part of the HLC Academy project, each program of study will eventually
assess two University Learning Outcomes in required courses in the major. One
outcome will be assessed in 2014-15, and the second will be added in 2015-16.
Identify the two ULOs that will be assessed and, if possible, the likely course(s)
to be used.
University Learning Outcomes: Wright State graduates will be able to:
1. communicate effectively
2. demonstrate mathematical literacy
3. evaluate arguments and evidence critically
4. apply the methods of inquiry of the natural sciences, social sciences,
and the arts and humanities
5. demonstrate global and multicultural competence
6. demonstrate understanding of contemporary social and ethical issues
7. participate in democratic society as informed and civically engaged
citizens
Findings: Data will be mined from required URS core courses to assess the
following two ULOs:
1. communicate effectively (2014-15)
2. demonstrate understanding of contemporary social and ethical issues
(2015-16)
3