Assessment Primer: Outcomes Assessment Components

Steps which underlie the assessment of student learning:

1. Develop learning objectives
2. Check for alignment between the curriculum and the objectives
3. Develop an assessment plan
4. Collect assessment data
5. Use results to improve the program
6. Routinely examine the assessment process and correct, as needed

(Assessing Academic Programs in Higher Education by Allen 2004)

Student learning outcomes, should derive from the objectives which flow from the goals and mission of the program.  An Assessment Plan includes all these components and focuses on the assessment of each learning outcome and how the evaluation of the results of the assessment are used for program improvement.