This handbook has been designed to help departments think through the assessment process and develop those assessment techniques that are most useful and meaningful within the context of the discipline(s) of the academic program and its goals.
The Overview of Program Review, Accreditation, and Assessment distinguishes external and internal reviews from assessment per se, but notes that academic assessment is expected for both external and internal reviews of academic programs.
Developing Program Goals and Course Goals provides a basic four-step process for thinking through the relationship of program goals and course goals. It has been designed to reflect the expectations of the Skidmore College Curriculum Committee.
The Guidelines section includes recommendations and suggestions for establishing and assessment plan, as well as links to key documents of the Middle States accrediting association, the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), and the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE).
The Methods section includes discussions of the most common methods for assessing academic programs, as well as examples.
The Institutional Assessment section includes some key articles selected to help those new to academic assessment understand it better.
The Research and Resources section contains basic bibliographic information, links to key research studies, and other links appropriate for those beginning assessment.
In addition, the assessment website contains substantially more information about assessment. We recommend that those trying to develop new assessment procedures or improve their existing assessment procedures go to the Other College Reports section. There you will find links to many colleges and universities conducting assessments, links to assessment plans and reports from majors in other colleges and universities, majors similar to those at Skidmore, and to assessment procedures for assessing core curricula or general education programs at other colleges and universities.
The General Resources section of the assessment website contains research reports, bibliographies, and other materials designed to enhance the scholarly repertoire of faculty scholars of teaching.
If you have additional information that you would like posted on the website, please inform the Director of Assessment.