OEOA Guiding Principles

 

Principles of Quality Assessment

OEOA has established the following as guiding principles of assessment for all Educational Affairs programs and units.  These principles are consistent with the Principles of Good Practice for Assessing Student Learning as established by the American Association of Higher Education.

  1. The primary focus of MSM assessment is on the improvement of student learning.
  2. Assessment efforts should focus on practices, processes, and performances that are measurable, meaningful, and manageable.
  3. All assessment goals, outcomes, and objectives must be well-structured and aligned to the strategic goals and initiatives of MSM, as well as to the appropriate accreditation and accountability standards.
  4. Key assessment measures should be properly sequenced, should vary in rigor and complexity, and should demonstrate progression towards mastery of required competencies and skills.
  5. The academic assessment process should be faculty-driven, but adequately staff-supported as not to undermine the primary functions of faculty which are instruction, research, student development, and clinical practice.
  6. Effective assessment approaches make use of multiple measures for each student learning and program outcome.
  7. MSM academic program assessments will be based on data gathered using valid and reliable tools and processes applied in a variety of settings.
  8. MSM academic assessment must draw from an array of both formative and summative measures, and must involve the use of direct and indirect tools to gauge student learning and academic program quality.
  9. Assessment and evaluation is most impactful when faculty and administrators actively engage in the process, taking ownership and embracing a culture of evidence-based decision making.
  10. Assessment efforts must be adequately staffed and resourced, and must include ongoing training for faculty and staff members.