Palomar College Effective Guidelines for Program Learning Outcomes
Use the following guidelines for self-evaluation of your program’s status per
accreditation standards.






List of learning outcomes: There should be a well-organized list of
comprehensive outcomes. The outcomes focus on key knowledge, skills,
and values students acquire and demonstrate while enrolled in the
program. National disciplinary standards have been considered, if
appropriate. The program faculty have agreed on the criteria for
assessing each outcome.
Assessable outcomes: Each outcome describes how students can
demonstrate learning, e.g. “Graduates can write reports using APA style”
or other examples of student performance. The program faculty have
agreed on the criteria for successful attainment of each outcome.
Curriculum Alignment: A curriculum outline or map demonstrates how
course SLOs align to the broader program outcomes so that students gain
deeper knowledge and complexity in their learning. Course and program
SLOs need to be aligned to Palomar College GE/Institutional outcomes.
Planning: Each outcome should identify a three-year timeline for
assessment plans, including when and how the outcome will be assessed
and how improvements based on findings will be implemented. The plan
is reviewed and updated annually.
Next Steps: Results of outcome assessment are used for program
planning and support of learning and teaching. This information can
support the PRP document. This should be entered in TracDat in the
Results area of the database.
Student Experience: Students are well aware of program outcomes and
assessment methods. All program outcomes are on the course syllabi and
broadly publicized in other program documents. Students are adept at
self-assessment in relation to the outcomes.
Reporting Notes:
1. All assessment plans are to be entered into TracDat. An assessment plan
identifies the course or program SLOs, assessment methods, and timeline for
assessment.
2. Every SLO needs to be assessed at least every 3 years.
3. Curriculum mapping is available in TracDat. A curriculum-mapping template
for dialog and planning is available to SLO Facilitators.
4. Results of assessment need to be entered soon after compiling. Action and
follow-up steps are to be entered at the same time.
5. Reports in TracDat support up-to-date status and dialog for planning needs.
Reports include:
a. The current list of assessment plans for all courses and programs
b. Curriculum mapping and alignment of course SLOs to Program SLOs
c. Curriculum alignment to GE/Institutional SLOs
d. Next steps: the identified action plans and follow-up
e. The next planned assessment