Office of Academic Quality Assessment Council

The Office of Academic Quality established an interdisciplinary Assessment Council composed of designated Assessment Coordinators from each academic department and service program. This position is considered a vital function within departments/programs.

Peer Review

Assessment Council convenes one to two times each semester to conduct a peer review of the learning assessment reports submitted by academic departments and service programs. The coordinators work in teams to analyze the assessment reports, provide feedback by completing the OAQ’s learning assessment report rubric, and participate in an inquiry of the reports and their assessment work. The coordinators also meet to discuss assessment-specific issues, share ideas and strategies, assist one another in developing, coordinating, and successfully applying departmental assessments of student learning. Best practices are usually identified and made available to the coordinators for their assessment work.

Assessment Handbook

To support and strengthen the assessment process, this Assessment Handbook contains information on the assessment of student learning at Gallaudet University and is for the department chairs, program directors, and program/unit assessment coordinators. This handbook includes expectations, guides, examples, explanations, and resources for developing, planning, and reporting on assessment.

Role of Assessment Coordinators

Assessment Coordinators provide leadership and support in assessing student learning and the use of learning assessment data for program improvement in their unit. To do so, the Assessment Coordinator:

• Develops and updates (in conjunction with Department Chair/Unit Head, and faculty/ staff) the unit’s plan for using program-level student learning assessment to improve the program by:
  • Engaging unit colleagues in shared conversations about student learning and assessment and the use of assessment data for program improvement.
  • Leading the development and periodic review of unit outcomes.
  • Leading the development and periodic review of unit curriculum and assessment activities matrices.
  • Leading the development and implementation of direct and indirect assessment methods appropriate for the unit.
  • Leading the collection of data about the program and student learning.
  • Working with other faculty and staff to close the loop between what is found in the data and improving student learning.
• Provides annual updates of progress and/or achievements (Learning Assessment Update) to the Senate curriculum councils, Dean, Provost and Office of Academic Quality.
• Participates as a member of the Assessment Council (AC). Activities include:
  • Functioning as a peer professional development group member with other Assessment Coordinators;
  • Reviewing and providing feedback on annual Learning Assessment Updates.
• Functions as unit specialist in learning assessment by through professional development and use of resources.
• Keeps the unit informed about Gallaudet University’s institutional requirements regarding learning assessment.

Council’s Membership Roster: AY 2015-2016 (as of Fall 2015)

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

School of Education, Business, and Human Services (SEBHS)

Student Affairs

Service Departments

*also the program director or department chair