Assessment is the process of collecting, analyzing, and using information pertaining to student learning. Assessment is a systematic and ongoing process that is purposeful and public and is aimed at understanding and improving student learning. Assessment results are used to inform decision-making.
Both Academic Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness & Planning work directly with helping the University departments/units make strategic plans and document how students are achieving learning outcomes. Academic Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness & Planning collaborate in their vision to help motivate and teach UVU in assessment activities.
Program outcomes refers to the knowledge, skills, and competencies that students should be able to attain by the time they finish the program. Outcomes are assessed to determine the degree to which students have attained the particular knowledge, skills, and competencies specific to the program. An analysis of the assessment evidence can serve as a basis for curriculum improvement and faculty training.
Types of assessment may include essays, interviews, oral presentations, tests, portfolios, journals, research papers or practicum experiences.
The benefits of assessment at UVU include an increase in program visibility; an ability to know what works, what doesn't work, and WHY; and an ability to make data-driven decisions, to enhance student learning, and to strengthen programs.
Strategic Planning is an internal function of what the entity is going to do (an example would be department goals). Program outcomes are what students should be able to do after having completed a given program.
