Fundamental Issues

1
Using Outcomes Assessment Data to Review/Improve
Curriculum
SUCCEED Outcomes Assessment Workshop Greensboro,
North Carolina March 2000
2
Topics for Discussion

• How often should curriculum revision be
  considered?
• How can candidate curriculum changes be
  identified?
• How should the consequences of curriculum
  revision be assessed?

3
Example Schedule of On-Going Accreditation/Assess
ment-Related Activities

• Year A
• Fall Semester
• Review constituent inputs and performance data
• Review current Program Educational Objectives
• Evaluate candidate program changes and plan for
  implementation of selected changes
• Spring Semester
• Conduct mid-career alumni focus group session
• Prepare summary report on program assessment and
  improvement efforts
• Summer Terms
• Provide inputs for college-wide phone/FAX survey
  of employers and university-wide survey of recent
  graduates

4
Example Schedule of On-Going Accreditation/Asses
sment-Related Activities (cont.)

• Year B
• Fall Semester
• Review constituent inputs and performance data
• Review current Program Outcomes, Outcome
  Indicators, and Criteria
• Review progress in implementing selected program
  changes
• Spring Semester
• Conduct employer focus group session
• Prepare summary report on program assessment and
  improvement efforts
• Summer Terms
• Provide inputs for college-wide phone/FAX survey
  of employers and university-wide survey of recent
  graduates

5
Nature of Accreditation/Assessment Data
Collection Efforts

• Surveillance Alumni and Employer Surveys,
  Standardized Exams, Exit Interviews,
  Course Evaluations
• Probing Alumni, Advisory Board, and
  Student Focus Groups Personal
  Interviews
• Looking for Strengths, Weaknesses,
  Opportunities, Threats

6
Stages in the Curriculum Renewal Methodology
Stakeholder Input
Analyze Existing Curriculum
Design New Curriculum
Implement New Curriculum
Strategic Planning
Preparation
Continuous Improvement
7
Curriculum Modification Steps
Choose a Particular Modification
Evaluate Possible Consequences of Adopting
Selected Modification
Identify Candidate Curriculum
Modifications
8
Evaluating Consequences of Curriculum Change

• Have program objectives changed?
• If so, are new program outcomes needed?
• If so, what outcome measures and threshold values
  will be used?