The Community College of Allegheny County is committed to our assessment of student learning, and recognizes its importance to our students, faculty, the College community, external accreditors and our stakeholders. By systematically and continuously seeking ways to improve student learning, CCAC ensures that areas such as student success, curriculum development and delivery, budgeting and strategic planning are aligned with the goals of the College and provide evidence-based guidance to decision-making. Assessment of student learning is the bridge between teaching and learning. Therefore, at CCAC, our culture of assessment of student learning provides the foundational basis for what we do across the College and why.
There’s information on the theory of assessment, a how-to practical section for classroom- and program-level assessment, links to external expertise, as well as all forms required for CCAC compliance with assessment procedures.
This section describes aspects of good classroom assessment practices and techniques. In addition, help is provided for writing good course learning outcomes that are specific and measurable, allowing students and faculty to easily understand what they should know and be able to do as they progress through a course.
The program review process is shifting from a 5 to 4 year cycle, and the assessment team is proposing a new way of reporting the progress of a program or discipline. Annual assessments will be only part of the process, which focuses on three aspects: quality, demand, and needs of the program or discipline.
The goal of the new integrated assessment system is to collect authentic classroom data to improve student learning. This system is flexible and provides variety for faculty members.
Confused about where to start? Assessment is a process of continuous improvement and reflection, collaboration with our fellow faculty members, and supported by our administrators. This page re-introduces common assessment concepts: direct and indirect assessment, formative and summative assessment, use of rubrics, and assessment vocabulary used by the College. Additionally, links to national experts and resources can be found here.
Learn how to apply for the Continuous Quality Improvement Fund (CQI), Student Engagement Fund, and the John Dziak Faculty Development & Engagement Fund to improve student educational experiences at the college. Request classroom supplies, field trips, or even travel to an assessment conference and share knowledge with your peers!
Looking for a familiar face to answer questions you may have about the new assessment processes and procedures? Coordinators and members of the Assessment Team are all available to assist you with questions or concerns. This diverse group represents the major stakeholders at the college and are working to improve the use of assessment data and results.
Have a question? Email: awg@ccac.edu
