Motlow State Community College
Action Plan & Outcome Assessment Report for Institutional Effectiveness
Planning Year: July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012
Assessing Year: July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011
Unit: Business & Technology
Related Strategic Goal:
3.1 Monitor and improve the effectiveness of educational programs and services.
Action Plan #: BTCH-02
Action Plan Title: University Parallel Major Business Areas of Emphasis Exit Exam
Desired Outcome: Business students in the University Parallel (UP) major will achieve a minimum mean
of 70 percent on the UP Major Business Areas of Emphasis Exit Exam.
Description of Action Plan and Related Activities:
The purpose of the UP Major Business Areas of Emphasis Exit Exam is to measure program learning
outcomes and examine basic competencies expected of business students completing a two-year
Associate of Science of Associate of Arts Degree in the Accounting, Business Administration, Economics,
Business Education, Entrepreneurship, Information Systems, and Office Management areas of emphasis.
The exam covers the fundamental business and technology related concepts and strategies associated
with the seven areas of emphasis. Consisting of 50 multiple choice questions each, the Exit Exam is
actually five different exams, each tailored to accommodate the courses required within the different
areas of emphasis. (Note: Because the courses required in the Accounting, Business Administration and
Economics areas of emphasis are the same, students pursuing these areas of emphasis complete the
same exam.) The majority of each exam (60%) is comprise of questions developed from what is
considered to be the common core of the most significant business courses in the different programs.
The remaining questions (40%) are designed to emphasize the individuality of the different programs of
study.
The exam is administered annually at the end of each spring semester to all graduating UP major
business students pursuing one of the seven areas of emphasis. The results of each exam are retained
and evaluated by the Business and Technology Department faculty as a measure of student
performance relative to the program learning outcomes. Predicated on each year’s results, the
department faculty will evaluate the individual business areas of emphasis to ensure that course content
is applicable and appropriate, and that the proper emphasis is being placed on course material/content
pertaining to the expected outcomes. As necessary, course material/content will be modified and the
proper instructional emphasis will be applied in the applicable areas to ensure the accomplishment of
the established program learning outcomes.
Approximately 20% of all major fields are tested each year in April. Graduating UP business students are
tested once during the five-year performance funding cycle. The Chair of Business and Technology
Department meets with faculty to analyze exam results. Specific elements that are identified include:



Item analysis to determine areas of content weakness.
Length of time between tests and start of students' programs.
Content of courses within the UP business areas of emphasis.


Courses required within the areas of emphasis.
Length of time between courses that affect particular items or categories of items and the time
of the exit exam.
Timeline: Annually reviewed
Est. Cost: $500
Budgeted: Included in current budget
Evidence of Success: Test results will show that business students in the University Parallel (UP) major
achieved a minimum mean of 70 percent on the UP Major Business Areas of Emphasis Exit Exam.
Current Status: On Schedule
Data will be collected and reported at the end of the spring 2012 semester.
Describe Progress Below
Areas of
Emphasis
Accounting,
Business
Administration &
Economics
2010
Business
Education
Entrepreneurship
Information
Systems
Office
Management
Average
Emphasis Exam
68
N/A
N/A
79.5
N/A
Scores
(33)
(2)
(# Graduates)
Overall Average
Score for Total
68.7
Participants
(34)
(# Graduates)
While the 2010 average exam scores increased over the 2009 scores, the overall average of 68.7 is still 1.3 points
below the expected minimum mean of 70 percent. The average exam score for the Information Systems Area of
Emphasis increased by 23.5 percent, but the score for the Accounting, business Administration & Economics
Areas of Emphasis only increased by .5 percent. The Business and Technology Department faculty will analyze and
review all the exam questions to ensure their validity to the material and course content, and will also review and
check the material included in the review document.
Areas of
Emphasis
Accounting,
Business
Administration &
Economics
2009
Business
Education
Entrepreneurship
Information
Systems
Office
Management
Average
Emphasis Exam
67.5
N/A
N/A
56
N/A
Scores
(33)
(1)
(# Graduates)
Overall Average
Score for Total
67
Participants
(34)
(# Graduates)
Because 2009 was the first time the exam has been administered, there is no previous data available for review
and/or analysis. However, all exam questions and the exam review document, will be analyzed and reviewed to
ensure their validity to the material and course content.
Describe Needed Changes: No changes are required at this time; but, the Business and Technology
Department faculty will analyze and review all the exam questions to ensure their validity to the
material and course content, and will also review and check the material included in the review
document.
List of Supporting Documentation:
 Tennessee Higher Education Commission Performance Funding Plan
 Motlow State Community College 2005-2010 Strategic Plan and Report
 Motlow state Community College Institutional Effectiveness Plan
 Business and Technology Department Assessment Plan
 Business and Technology Department Exit Examination for UP Major Business Areas of Emphasis
Date Last Updated: December 15, 2011