Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
SLOA Mission and Purpose
In accordance with Yavapai College's Mission to provide high quality, convenient, and cost-effective education to the diverse population of Yavapai County, the basic premise of the SLOA Committee is "assessment for improving student learning." By establishing and maintaining a culture of assessment and improvement at the course, program, and institutional levels, SLOA supports quality learning and fosters excellence in education.Yavapai College is committed to measuring student learning using best practices to understand and improve curriculum and student learning.
SLOA is a standing Faculty Association committee
Each academic area/division dean appoints a representative. Other committee members include professional staff and students. To view committee members, click on the Committee Members tab to the right.
The stages of SLOA are:
- Teaching courses and programs as defined by courase and program goals and curricula.
- Collecting Evidence of student learning using a variety of assessment methods, techniques, and tools
- Interpreting Evidence how well the students are actually achieving these goals.
- Using the results to adjust and improve student learning.
Goals of Assessment at Yavapai College
The goal of Assessment is to improve courses and programs throughout Yavapai College in order to support quality student learning and foster excellence in educational practices.
Specifically, assessment:
- Documents achievement of learning outcomes
- Charts key finds and trends
- Assists in curriculum development and revision
- Improves teaching and learning
- Helps determine resource allocation
- Creates a shared academic culture dedicated to assuring and improving the quality of higher education
- Maintains institutional accreditation
Why Does SLOA Assess?
For Students:
- Communicate clear expectations about what is important in a course or program
- Inform them that they will be evaluated in a consistent and transparent way
- Reassure them that there is common core content across all sections of a course
- Allow them to make better decisions about programs based on outcomes results
For Faculty:
- Help them determine what is working and what is not working in their courses or programs
- Facilitate interdisciplinary and intercampus discussions
- Provide evidence to justify needed resources to maintain or improve programs
- Allow them to tell their story to individuals outside their area (i.e. administrators, politicians, employers, prospective students, transfer institutions)
- Provide reassurance that all faculty teaching a particular high demand course agree to address certain core content
For Administrators:
- Demonstrate an institutional commitment to continually improving the academic programs and services provided by the college.
- Provide data to support requests for funds from state and local government and private donors
- Demonstrate accountability to funding sources
- Provide data for academic planning and decision making
- Enable them to inform elected officials, local businesses, and potential donors about the college's impact on our students and our community in a compelling and convincing way
Contact Us
- Chris Heyer, Outcomes Assessment Director
- Verde Valley Campus G-117; Prescott 3-112b
- Usually on Prescott Campus on Wednesdays
- Tel: (928) 649-4568
- chris.heyer@yc.edu
- Susan Carroll, Administrative Assistant
- H-107
- Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00PM
- Tel: (928) 634-6514
- susan.carroll@yc.edu
Important Dates
- Next SLOA Committee Meeting:
December 2, 2011; 9-10:30am; 3-106 & J-107 - Form #1 Due: October 14, 2011
- Form #2 Due: May 18, 2012
Documents & Forms
2011-12 Assessment Forms:
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