Spring 2009 General Education Assessment Report
Assessment Coordinator: Leslie Baker-Kimmons
Department: GSEA
Outcomes
Soc. 1010: Students will demonstrate knowledge of theories, perspectives, methods, concepts and
principles of the field of sociology.
Soc. 1200: Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of racial and ethnic groups as well as
understand intergroup social relations.
Soc. 1250: Students will be able to articulate the interrelatedness of culture, race, class, and gender and
demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures.
Soc. 2230: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the construction of gender identities and theories
surrounding gender socialization.
Soc. 2400: Students will understand and evaluate diverse viewpoints through means such as course
texts, lectures, videos and presentations.
Anth. 1010: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the basic methods, questions and vocabularies of
the humanities, the natural sciences and the social sciences.
Anth. 2010: Students will demonstrate knowledge of traditional cultures.
Method of Assessment
Soc. 1010: Involves a task oriented assignment designed to test students’ knowledge and ability to apply
knowledge to real-life scenarios. The pass rate for this course assessment is 70%
Soc. 1200: Students will select to visit any local museum and demonstrate their knowledge of racial and
ethnic groups in final group presentations. The pass rate for this course assessment is 75%
Soc. 1250: Students are required to complete three different site visits representing a culture other than
their own and submit a report on their findings. The pass rate for this course assessment is 75%
Soc. 2230: Students are required to take a pre/post test survey that examines their understanding on
gender construction and gender theory. The pass rate for this course assessment is 75%
Soc. 2400: Students are required to complete a survey examining the student’s knowledge of
community problems and organizational strategies. The pass rate for this course assessment is 75%
Anth. 1010: Students will answer a series of questions directly related to selected articles examining
their knowledge of cultural systems. The pass rate for this course assessment is 94% (only 5 students
took assessment)
Anth. 2010: Students will answer a series of questions directly related to selected articles examining
their knowledge of global cultural systems. The pass rate for this course assessment is 95%
Assessment Finding/Interpretations/Conclusion
The assessment findings for the Spring 2009 semester reveal successful pass rates for all assessed
general education courses.
Soc. 1010 had an overwhelming increase in its pass rate at 90%. This increase can be attributed to the
change in the assessment tool from a survey based tool that assessed a student’s memory to an
authentic task method that assesses a students’ ability to apply their knowledge and skills to real life.
Soc. 1200 had a pass rate of 88%. This high pass rate is due to the students’ ability to demonstrate
practical application of skills learned through active learning.
Soc. 1250 had a pass rate of 82%. This high pass rate is due to the student’s ability to demonstrate
practical application of skills learned through active learning.
*Soc. 2230 assessment tool was not disseminated.
Soc. 2400 had a pass rate of 72%. The pass rate does not satisfy the established pass rate of 75%. This
course is the only course where the assessment tool continues to be a survey type tool.
Anth. 1010 had a pass rate of 94%. This high pass rate can also be attributed to the assessment tool
designed to assess the students’ ability and comprehension of cultural systems.
Anth. 2010. Had a pass rate of 95%. This high pass rate can be attributed to the assessment tool
designed to assess the students’ ability and comprehension of global cultural systems.
Interpretations
The trend data illustrates the continued improvement in measured learning. In the last three years the
assessment results have steadily improved. The improvement from 2006 through 2008 can be
attributed to educating instructors of their responsibility in conducting assessment in their classrooms
as well administering the tool when the majority of students are present. The improvement in 2009 is
directly related to the change in assessment tool from a survey platform to a task oriented exercise that
more accurately measure what students have learned.
Conclusion
In reviewing the trend data it is evident that the changes in assessment tools have produced a significant
increase in pass rates for the assessed courses. The scores have shown that task oriented tools produce
a more adequate assessment of student learning. Students have done very well in areas where they
have the opportunity to connect the skills learned with real life scenarios. As a result the learning
outcomes that this assessment tool measures have been met. An area of weakness that continues to
exist may be rooted in the type of measurement tool that does not adequately test learning.
Plan for Academic Modifications Using Finding
One major curricular change will be the incorporation of a senior thesis course in the sociology program
that would incorporate all the major outcomes of the sociology general education courses. Students in
this course will produce a final paper that will demonstrate knowledge of theories, perspectives,
methods, concepts and principles of the field of sociology.
Plan for Assessment Modification
One change that will take place concerns the assessment tool for soc. 2400. Currently the assessment
tool for soc. 2400 is a survey based tool. It is believed that student learning will be better assessed
through a task oriented exercise. Additionally, the publication of assessment results that highlight the
increases in student learning via web sites, brochures, course syllabi will be key to displaying student
learning and achievement.
Resources Needed
With crippling budget constraints, informing the public about what the students learn and how well they
have learned it has been a challenge for the department. This is an issue that will continue to be
addressed at department and programs meetings. There has been no plan put in place for publicity at
this time.
Accomplishments and Challenge
The assessment of sociology program and general education courses in sociology and anthropology has
been greatly successful due to organizing the instructors and changing the assessment tool. Through
regular communication with instructors regarding their assessment duties there will be continued
success with the recording and reporting of student learning. What will continue to be addressed is the
process by which to publicize these accomplishments.
Improved Student Learning
See “assessment findings/interpretations/conclusions” above
Approved Changes
To be determined after findings are shared with faculty
Feedback of Results
Results will be shared at next department meeting