McNeese Assessment Handbook

2005-2006

Preface

The Assessment Handbook is intended to serve as an introduction to Institutional Effectiveness and as a guide for faculty and administrators in developing an assessment plan. The institutional effectiveness process involves an outcomes/objective assessment cycle in which faculty and staff identify the most appropriate outcomes for academic programs or objectives for administrative units, determine the extent to which those outcomes/objectives are being achieved, and make changes toward continuous improvement based on the results of the assessment. Assessing institutional effectiveness also establishes accountability for external requests such as outside accrediting agencies.

The material in the Assessment Handbook is a compilation of information taken from conferences, internet research, and other materials. As assessment is not a stagnant process, the handbook will periodically be updated to stay abreast of best practices. It is my hope that this handbook will prove useful in helping you to assess and improve your programs and services.

Respectfully,

Marianne Hartman
Director of Institutional Effectiveness
mhartman@mcneese.edu
337.475.5512