EOF Directors’ Professional Development Seminar “Program Planning & Assessment” June 13, 2013 Rider University Creating and Using Rubrics to Assess Program Level Student Learning Outcomes Mildred A. Mihlon, Ph.D.
Saint Peter’s University Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs & Assessment

Who, What, Where & Level of Familiarity with Assessment?

Effective program evaluation must be grounded in a solid assessment plan that is inclusive of a clear vision/mission , relevant program goals and well-articulated student learning outcomes that can be evaluated through direct and indirect measures against defined standards of success .

Student Learning Outcomes… Derived from the program mission and goals, student learning outcomes are identified actions that a student is expected to demonstrate in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes upon completion of a program, course, activity or process. Student learning outcomes should be measurable, manageable, and meaningful.
Writing Student Learning Outcomes

Ask Yourself… • • What are the most important things a student should know, be able to do or demonstrate after completing my program or from utilizing my office/services? What does the end result look like? How will you know the students have learned what you want them to learn? How will you identify it? What will they be able to do, say, think, care about, or value after this experience.
Writing Student Learning Outcomes

Examples: Transform these attributes into measureable, action-oriented student learning outcome statements.
Students will…  Identify critical campus resources required for a successful transition to college life.
  Demonstrate engagement through participation in campus life activities.
Develop effective self-management skills.   Employ the use of appropriate decision-making skills.
Apply the appropriate use of study skills and time management strategies.
Writing Student Learning Outcomes

Mission Goal 1 Goal 2 SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 Summer Bridge Programs Peer Mentorships Transition Courses Academic Advising Learning Communities Service Activities Workshops Orientations

SLO 1 • Direct Measure • Indirect Measure SLO 2 • Direct Measure • Indirect Measure SLO 3 • Direct Measure • Indirect Measure SLO 3 • Direct Measure • Indirect Measure

Indirect Measures = imply learning has occurred, but are not specific as to what has been learned; often subjective.
Direct Measures = tangible evidence that learning has occurred and to what extent through observed changes in skills, attitudes, values or knowledge base.
Middle States requires use of both!
Measuring Student Learning Outcomes

Direct Measures
Assignments/Exams Papers/Essays Projects Portfolios Student Reflections/Discussions Employers Ratings Capstone projects Exhibits Presentations
Indirect Measures
Grades/GPAs Persistence/Graduation Rates Surveys (NSSE) Attendance Job/Internship Placements Interviews/Focus Groups Scores on GREs/LSAT/etc… Honors/Awards Participation Hours
Measuring Student Learning Outcomes

Objectives:     Define Rubric Rubric Features Construct a Rubric Aggregate Rubric Data

 A rubric is a scoring instrument for evaluating performance along a task-specific set of criteria rather than a single numeric score.
 Purposes of rubrics: ◦ Describe what “outstanding” or “satisfactory” or “inadequate” performance looks like ◦ ◦ Articulate the criteria against which student learning is judged Provide an objective guide for assessment

A Rubric: Basic Features… • Stated Objective or Purpose - title • • • Scoring Criteria – characteristics of good performance on the task Levels of Performance – defined degrees of competency Descriptors –briefly define what is expected at each level of performance

Presentation Rubric  http://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?code=Z79XC8&sp=true& Peer Evaluation: Group Work  http://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?code=K78BBC&sp=true& Self Evaluation for Group Participation  http://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?code=B78BAA&sp=true& Individual Portfolio  http://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?code=K7369C&sp=yes& Blog  http://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?code=N44XXC&sp=yes&
Student Participation
 http://www.siue.edu/~deder/partrub.html
Team Work
 http://course1.winona.edu/shatfield/air/team%20work.pdf
Journal
 http://course1.winona.edu/shatfield/air/reflectionrubric-1.pdf

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2.
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4.
Identify and define the assessment objective or purpose (title) Select and write the needed number of scoring criteria (key attributes) Select and write the desired levels of performance Select and write the descriptors (features of scoring criteria)

1.
Identify and define the assessment objective or purpose (title); statements which identify the specific knowledge, skill, or attitude the learner should gain and display as a result of the instructional activity.

• 2. Select and write the needed number of scoring criteria (key attributes); broad concepts or specific tasks the student should demonstrate when performing the activity. Examples of dimensions for a group exercise analyzing a case study may include: • Contribute to the group discussion • Take responsibility for required work • Value others viewpoints • Analyze the study cooperatively • Present the outcome in a given format

3. Select and write the desired levels of performance; descriptive levels of quality starting with the worst quality up to the best quality.
--Example of a 3 level gradation: poor, average, excellent --Example of a 4 level gradation: beginning, developing, accomplished, exemplary --Example of a 5 level gradation: poor, fair, average, very good, excellent

4. Select and write the descriptors (features of scoring criteria); Start with the best quality of each dimension. Simply list the specific expectations you have for the student. Then, for each level below the best quality, identify the flaws or missing elements which will cause the student to lose points off the best quality performance.

Beginning 1 Developing 2 Accomplished 3 Exemplary 4
Writing Quality & Organization Engagement Study Habits Resource Knowledge Self-Efficacy

N = 75 Beginning 1 Developing 2 Accomplished 3 Exemplary 4
Writing Quality & Organization Engagement 15 (20%) 10 (13%) 25 (34%) 15 (20%) Study Habits Resource Knowledge Self-Efficacy 15 (20%) 5 (6%) 5 (6%) 15 (20%) 5 (6%) 10 (13%)
30 (40%)
35 (47%)
40 (29%)
60 (57%) 40 (54%)
5 (6%)
15 (20%)
5 (6%)
5 (6%) 20 (27%)

Mildred A. Mihlon, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs & Assessment mmihlon@saintpeters.edu