Chapter Three: Outcomes And Objectives

To understand assessment, you must first understand the terminology. Assessment is driven by student learning outcomes (academic programs) and performance objectives (administrative units).

Student Learning Outcomes

Student learning outcomes describe what an academic program intends for students to know (cognitive), to think (affective), or to do (behavioral) as a result of completing the program. Learning can be assessed using both direct and indirect measures and incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data.

• A cognitive learning outcome describes what a student knows or demonstrates what a student can do as a result of completing the academic program.
• An affective learning outcome describes how the student’s values, perceptions, attitudes, or behaviors have changed as a result of completing the academic program.
• A behavioral learning outcome demonstrates the student’s expertise or skill attained as a result of completing the academic program.

Examples of Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will master skills required to function as a professional in their field of study.
• Graduates will have the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering upon graduation.
• Students will be adequately prepared for graduate school.
• Graduates will integrate therapeutic nursing interventions when practicing as a generalist professional nurse.

Performance Objectives

Performance objectives describe the effectiveness of an administrative unit in carrying out its service or purpose. Objectives may be assessed using both direct measures and indirect measures and incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data.

Examples of Performance Objectives

• To recruit and retain a highly qualified student population through the utilization of scholarship funding as an incentive and a reward.
• To ensure all financial records will be maintained in accordance with GAAP and GASB guidelines.
• To increase enrollment of students from outside the five-parish area.
• To provide timely and useful feedback from university-level surveys to academic and administrative units.
• To minimize response time to undergraduate applicants.

Deciding on Outcomes/Objectives

Identify the outcomes/objectives that are crucial to what you do. There may be many, but try to thresh out the top three to five things that you do in your program to improve student learning or that you do in your unit to improve services. Ensure that the outcomes/objectives are compatible to your mission. Write a statement that describes an expected learning outcome for a graduate of your program (academic program) or an expected performance level (administrative unit).

Three to five measurable student learning outcomes/performance objectives are acceptable, although program/unit needs may dictate more than five. Whatever the number of outcomes/objectives decided on, it is imperative that they are now and can continue to be measurable.

Student Learning Outcomes And Performance Objectives Should Be: