Assessment

The purpose of assessment is to improve student learning. The Office of Assessment accomplishes this by assisting areas throughout the college in developing appropriate assessment methodologies and success indicators which can be used to support, enhance, report, and/or improve the quality of teaching and learning. The office provides training, analysis, and support for on-going assessment of student learning and development.

Assessment is the ongoing process of:

• Establishing clear, measurable expected outcomes of student learning.
• Ensuring that students have sufficient opportunities to achieve those outcomes.
• Systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well student learning matches our expectations.
• Using the resulting information to understand and improve student learning.

^{Linda Suskie, Assessing Student Learning: A common sense guide. Anker Publishing, 2004.}

Student Outcomes Assessment

Student Outcomes Assessment is defined as a systematic process of gathering, reviewing and utilizing information to improve an institution’s programs and/or services. Student Outcomes Assessment at KCKCC is a structured, college-wide effort to measure how well students achieve college-level learning expectations. Through ongoing assessment each semester, the college gathers and reviews evidence to strengthen academic programs and support services. The goal is continuous improvement: using results to enhance student learning, development and success.

Assessment Framework

 

The Office of Assessment coordinates multiple levels of assessment that align with KCKCC’s Institutional Learning Outcomes. These efforts ensure that learning is consistently evaluated across all programs and services. General Education and Co-Curricular areas each assess their own defined outcomes, while Program Review incorporates results from Program and Discipline Learning Outcomes. Together, these initiatives create a comprehensive system for improving teaching, learning, and student success.