Innovation in Student Learning
Outcomes Assessment
Application for Mini-Grants
Advancement of Student Learning Council
Application Due: May 12, 2014
INNOVATION IN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
APPLICATION FOR MINI-GRANTS
Deadline for submission of applications for mini-grant
May 12, 2014 by 5 p.m.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Advancement of Student Learning Council (ASLC), with the support of the Office of Institutional
Effectiveness, is pleased to make available financial resources to assist faculty with activities associated
with student learning outcomes assessment. The goal of the mini-grant is to provide funding
opportunities to faculty to assist with new development of sound learning outcomes assessment
practices at the program-level, encourage professional development associated with program-level
outcomes assessment, and to strengthen the infrastructure for the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Mini-Grant: Awards up to $5,000.
The purpose of a mini-grant is to provide start-up funds for a new initiative directly related to the
program’s outcomes assessment plan. Innovation in learning outcomes assessment is an important
aspect of building a culture that uses evidence to shape decision-making and curriculum development.
Recipients may be asked to present their findings at Pepperdine and at the WASC Academic Resource
Conference in the spring of 2015 or 2016. Award recipients are encouraged to pursue publication in one
of the many teaching and learning journals. In addition, the Office of Institutional Effectiveness should
be considered as an analytic resource during the course of the project. Please note: innovation is a key
aspect of this grant. The ASLC would like to support and encourage new project development to
enhance the assessment of student learning outcomes.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
The application must be typed, dated and sent to the ASLC via email attachment to
oie@pepperdine.edu by the due date.
ELIGIBILITY
Faculty who hold senior administrative roles (e.g., associate dean or higher) are also ineligible for funds.
Faculty who are involved with the development and implementation of program-outcomes assessment
activities are welcome to apply for support from the ASLC.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants must show clearly the relationship of the proposed activity to the intended program
assessment plan and must show how the information gained will advance student academic outcomes
assessment for the program. Please follow the instructions on the following pages, limiting applications
to two pages (single spaced) in addition to the proposed Budget Table.
Assessment Mini-Grant Application, p. 1
I. APPLICATION COVER PAGE
ACADEMIC OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
APPLICATION FOR FUNDING SUPPORT
ASLC
Name of Applicant(s) (List Project Director first)
__________________________________________________________________________________
Title of Proposal ____________________________________________________________________
Department(s) _____________________________________________________________________
Campus Mailing Address _____________________________________________________________
E-mail Address ____________________________________ Campus Phone ____________________
Project Starting Date (M/Y): _____/________
Project Ending Date: (M/Y): _____/________
II. PROPOSAL CRITERIA
A.
Purpose:
a. Explain the proposed project/activity and its importance to the program’s assessment
plan.
b. Indicate the anticipated outcomes of the project.
B.
Methodology and Relevance to the Advancement of Student Learning Outcomes Assessment:
a. Describe the project. Identify pertinent model(s) of inquiry, materials and procedures
to be used, and variables to be studied; explain how completion of the project will
enhance academic outcomes assessment for the program.
b. Include how the project fits in with the current program learning outcomes, curriculum
map, and assessment plan. Particular attention will be given to proposals that are also
tied to the university student learning outcomes.
C.
Timeline: Indicate the anticipated dates for beginning and completing this project. Specify
any deadline dates of which the council should be cognizant as it considers your proposal.
Grantees have up to two years to complete their proposal.
D.
Budget: For grant consideration, all applicants must complete the budget table found on the
following page.
Assessment Mini-Grant Application, p. 2
INNOVATION IN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
Mini-Grant Application Project Budget Form
Applicant Name:
Category
Year 2
Year 1
ASLC
MiniGrant
Other
Funding
Sources*
ASLC
MiniGrant
Totals
Other
Funding
Sources*
Equipment
(List major pieces and/or categories)
$
Equipment Subtotal -
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
Operations
Consumable Supplies
Travel/Symposiums
Contracted Services
Research Costs
Other (Specify)
$
Operations Subtotal Totals
* Includes institutional and external forms of support
III. PROPOSAL EVALUATION
The council will focus support on a new initiative directly related to program-level student learning
outcomes assessment. Typically, funded projects will be those that are highlighted in the unit’s
assessment plan.
IV. FUNDING TIMELINE:
Funding timelines for the mini-grant can be anywhere between one and two years. This example is
for a one-year grant. If you are planning a timeline longer than one year, please replicate this
timeline, informing us when you will complete each phase in order to receive your funding.
PHASE I
PHASE II
PHASE III
PHASE IV
Submit Mini-Grant
Applications
Grant Approval,
Notification, and First
Award Dispersal
Progress Summary &
Second Award
Dispersal
Completion Summary &
Final Award Dispersal
APRIL 11, 2014
SEPTEMBER 2014
MARCH 2015
SEPTEMBER 2015
Assessment Mini-Grant Application, p. 3
1. Phase I: Submit your Innovations in Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Mini-Grant
Application to the ASLC via the OIE (oie@pepperdine.edu) by 5:00pm on April 11, 2014.
2. Phase II: Upon approval of the ASLC, the recipient will be awarded the first third of the grant
award (for a one year project) in September 2014.
3. Phase III: Recipients must submit a brief summary of their progress made towards completing
their proposed assessment plan in order to receive the second third of their funding. For a oneyear grant, this will usually occur by the second week of March, 2015 (for a one year project).
Grantees also have the option of an online interview about his/her progress, outcomes, and
updates if this is preferable to a written summary.
4. Phase IV: The recipients will submit a brief summary of their completed assessment project to
the ASLC, thus fulfilling the final step in receiving the last third of the funding.
 The summary should note the direct and indirect benefits to the program assessment.
 To provide an opportunity for the university community to become better acquainted
with the kind and quality of assessment projects supported by the committee,
recipients must be willing to present the results of their work at an assessment
related university event.
 Recipients may be asked to present their findings at Pepperdine and at the WASC
Academic Resource Conference in the spring of 2015.
 ASLC support should be acknowledged in all publications and presentations resulting
from this grant.
 Grantees also have the option of an online exit interview about his/her completed
assessment project if this is preferable to a written summary.
Assessment Mini-Grant Application, p. 4