Instructional Assessment Committee
Seattle Central Community College has developed a new assessment structure and process which actively engages degree and certificate programs in a regular review of their learning outcomes and assessments in order to continuously improve instructional programs. This process:
- Documents ongoing evidence of learning outcomes assessment to improve teaching and learning
- Demonstrates student achievement of intended learning outcomes
- Reviews assessment activities through an annual assessment report and a four-year cycle of program curriculum reviews
- Develops outcome assessment expertise among faculty through internal and external training
- Provides data for accreditation and strategic planning needs
The Instructional Assessment Committee is a standing faculty committee that serves at the request of the Vice President for Instruction. Composed predominantly of faculty members, this committee encourages and fosters assessment and a culture of evidence, primarily through two means: assisting programs to plan, execute, and report on assessment annually and participating in program reviews. It works also to advise and assist programs through smaller meetings that help develop a common language for assessment. It is developing a toolbox for effective institutional assessment including resources, best practices, and demonstration projects.
Who is responsible?
We all are! The Curriculum Coordinating Council, the Instructional Assessment, Program Review, and Course Approval Committees, faculty, deans, and program coordinators collaborate to assure our assessment process is carried out in an effective and timely manner. The Curriculum Coordinating Council provides structure, resources, and support to sustain the effort. The following chart reflects the areas of responsibility in the assessment process:| Assessment | Who | Responsibility | Report √ points |
| Course level | Faculty | Deans + Faculty | Quarterly |
| Program level | Faculty + Deans | Deans + VPI * | Annual |
| Program Review | Deans + Faculty | Deans + VPI | 4 years |
| Accreditation | All | Deans + VPI | 5 + 10 Years |
*VPI = Vice President for Instruction
Instructional Assessment Committee Goals:
- Improve curriculum
- Support outcomes assessment at course, program, and college-wide levels
- Develop a "culture of evidence" on our campus
The Instructional Assessment Committee will:
- Support programs going through program review by providing
- Training for assessment reporting process
- Consulting to develop assessment strategies
- Provide consulting on assessment for new or revised course proposals
- Foster a culture of evidence by:
- Promoting the on-going cycle of instructional assessment activities and reporting
- Promoting faculty development opportunities for effective instructional assessment practices both in-house and with District Faculty Development
- Promoting Instructional Assessment Stipends and Grants and reviewing proposals
- Determine if course learning outcomes are in alignment with the appropriate program and college-wide learning outcomes
- Attend program reviews on a rotating basis to focus on instructional assessment
- Enable programs to offer high quality courses that support college-wide and program level learning outcomes
- Promote curriculum development
Chair
The IAC chair is appointed by the Vice President. The chair receives one third (1/3) release time or other arrangements as agreed upon to carry out IAC responsibilities. The chair serves a three-year term.
Membership
Faculty representatives from each academic division recommended by the Dean or administrator. IAC members serve a three-year term. Representation includes at least:
- Humanities/Social Sciences – one from each
- Science and Math – one from each
- Library – one
- Business, Information Technologies, and Creative Arts – two
- Basic Studies – one each from ABE and ESL
- Health and Human Services -- one
- Counselors – one
Chair
- Establishes meeting schedule, develop agenda items, and conduct meetings
- Ensures the development and acceptance of short-range objectives and long-range goals for the committee
- Makes provisions for recording and distributing minutes for each meeting
- Informs faculty and administrators of the IAC process and provides training or guidance as needed; informs the Vice President for Instruction of policies recommended by the IAC
- Maintains or delegates responsibility for maintaining an IAC Web site, including schedule, forms, instructions, and other information
- Maintains a records of IAC activities
- Communicates with the other two curriculum committee chairs in the district
- Provides an annual review of committee activities to the Vice President for Instruction
- Serves on the Curriculum Coordinating Council
- Works closely with the other curriculum committee chairs
Members
- Attend all meetings
- Review program reviews and provide feedback to the program faculty
- Asssit other programs in planning, execuitng, and writing their annual assessment reports
- Take on projects that facilitate IAC operation
Missed Meetings
After a member has missed three consecutive meetings, the chair will contact the member to discuss whether a replacement should be sought