PLO Assessment Cycle
Creating & Assessing PLOs
DR. ABDIE TABRIZI
ENGINEERING FACULTY
JOVITA VALDEZ
ACCC
LYNETTE APEN
SLO COORDINATOR
Presentation Learning Outcome
 After this presentation…
 the participant will formulate well-designed program level
student learning outcomes and prepare the ACCC program
approval form. (Thursday)
 The participant will identify and document a method and
timeline to assess program outcomes. (Friday)
Program Learning Outcomes
 3-5 Statements of overarching knowledge, skills, or
values students acquire in the program

Focus on intended outcomes that are critical to your
program.
 Use active verbs
 Define, explain, examine, analyze…
 Are measurable
 Clearly stated: easy for students to understand
What to Consider When Writing PLOs
PLO
Student
knowledge
Overlapping
SLOs
ILO +
Mission
Program
purpose &
Components
Well-Written PLOs
 Art History
 Demonstrate skills in visual analysis by identifying specific
formal elements.
 Engineering
 Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to
identify, formulate & solve engineering problems.
 Nursing
 Utilize teaching/learning principles to promote optimal health
throughout the life span in a variety of settings.
Now It’s Your Turn
 Draft your PLOs
ACCC Program Approval Process
 ACCC Program Approval Form
 ACCC Program Short Form
 Completion of ACCC Program Approval Form
PLO Assessment
 When the data from the assessment process are known, these
outcomes should create opportunity to make
improvements in the program that is being offered to your
students.
 Examine broader aspects of program- external requirements
 Can any existing course assessment be used?
 How will programs meet to ID, plan & analyze assessments?
 This will be incorporated in program review
Choosing the Right Assessment
Direct
Indirect
 Actual learning
 Embedded test questions
 Rubric
 Lab activity
 Licensing
exam/certification
 Perception of learning
 Degree completion rate
 Employer survey
 Alumni survey
EVC PLO Assessment Examples
 Paralegal AA embedded questions on quiz + final





paper
English AA end of semester essay
Chemistry AA Annotated Bibliography
Engineering AA lab activity + homework
assignment
Nursing AS Licensing Exam
Administration of Justice AA Law Enforcement
Report
Now It Is Your Turn
Type PLOs & Major courses in
matrix
ID assessment & set timeline
Post Assessment: Data analysis,
document summary, plan for
improvement
References

Allen, G., Cummings, V. & Sands-Miller, D. (Fall 2007). Course and program student
learning outcomes assessment handbook: course and program level principles and
practices. Project Learn; Santa Rosa Junior College.

Fulks, J., Pacheco, B. (n.d.). Student Learning Outcomes Assessment.