The PRR: Linking Assessment,
Planning & Budgeting
PRR Workshop – April 4, 2013
Barbara Samuel Loftus, Ph.D.
Misericordia University
(2) PRR Objectives
• To determine the current status of the
implementation of processes for the
assessment of institutional effectiveness +
assessment of student learning outcomes
(Standards 7 & 14)
• To assess the extent to which linked
institutional planning + budgeting processes
are in place (Standards 2 & 3)
Institutional Effectiveness + Student
Learning Outcomes
• Demonstration of organized, documented +
sustained assessment processes
• Clearly articulated institutional + unit-level
goals
– Student learning outcomes at institutional,
program + course level
• Implemented strategies to achieve those goals
• Assessed achievement of those goals
Institutional Effectiveness + Student
Learning Outcomes
• Used the results of assessments to:
– Improve programs, services, teaching, + learning
– Inform planning
– Inform resource allocation decisions
Institutional Effectiveness + Student
Learning Outcomes
• Note:
– Evidence provided of assessment results
– Processes + results are documented
– Structures in place to ensure success
– Evidence of a culture of assessment – faculty, staff,
senior leadership
– Guidelines, policies, resources + support of
assessment initiatives
– Communication-sharing of results
Institutional Effectiveness + Student
Learning Outcomes
• Primary Context:
– Standard 7: Institutional Assessment
– Standard 14: Assessment of Student Learning
• Resource: “Assessing Student Learning +
Institutional Effectiveness: Understanding
Middle States Expectations”
Assessing Institutional Effectiveness
• Development of linkages:
– Institutional Mission + Institutional Goals
– Administrative Unit + Academic Program Goals
(Annual Reports; Measures of Success;
Assessment Results; Budget Resources)
– Strategic Plan Goals (Performance Indicators)
Assessing Institutional Effectiveness
• Examples of Institutional Effectiveness
College/University Measurements:
– NSSE
– Graduating Senior Surveys
– Alumni Surveys
– Retention + Graduation Rates
Assessing Institutional Effectiveness
• Strategic Plan Annual Review Process = oversight
+ tracking progress of strategic plan goals (in
terms of goal achievement)
• Assessment of Key Factors in Strategic Plan:
– Timely completion of action steps
– Progress of quantitative performance indicators
toward goals
– Achievement of financial targets
– Need for changes in context of plan or
implementation
Assessment of Student Learning
• Academic Programs
– Links between program goals, institutional mission
and related institutional goals, strategic plan goals
+ general education program
– Program learning outcomes (align course
outcomes with program-level outcomes)
– Methods of assessment
– Implementation of assessment plans
– Use of results to improve student learning
Assessment of Student Learning
• Example: Academic Program Annual Report
– Documented program assessment plan
– Student learning outcomes assessment report
– Anticipated changes based on assessment results
– Resources (budget requests) required for
improvements
Assess Institutional Effectiveness +
Student Learning
Summary Points:
• Evidence of organized + sustained processes
• Evidence that results are being used to
improve programs + services
• Evidence that results are being used to inform
planning + resource allocation decisions
Linked Institutional Planning +
Budgeting Processes
• Thorough overview + analysis of institution’s
planning + budgeting processes
• Demonstration of how those processes are
integrated + linked
• Evidence of key planning documents
• Primary Context: Standard 2: Planning,
Resource Allocation, + Institutional Renewal
Linked Institutional Planning +
Budgeting Processes
• Note:
– Ongoing planning + resource allocation based on
mission + goals
– Objectives developed to achieve goals
– Use assessment results for institutional renewal
– Evidence of strategic plan implementation +
resource allocation
– Evaluation of success of strategic plan + resource
allocation as quality improvement
Budget Process Goals
• Support the Strategic Plan
– Allocate resources needed to implement
successfully
– Congruence of the annual budget with strategic
plan objectives + action steps
• Support Department + Academic Program
Operational Needs = Annual Budget
Development Process
Annual Budget Development Process
• Organization of Administrative Department/
Academic Program Annual Report
– Link department/program goals to institutional
goals
– Enrollment trends/ SWOT/ Student Support
– 3-year forecasts – enrollment expectations,
faculty/ staff requests, expense requirements,
capital needs
– Resources required for improvements based on
assessment information
Linked Institutional Planning +
Budgeting Processes
• Summary Points
• Evidence of documented + inclusive processes
• Evidence of integrated strategic, department +
academic program plans
– Ensure that institution’s mission + vision remain
central
– Revenues + expenses are in proper relationship
– Capital needs are defined