ASSESSMENT ACROSS TWO CULTURES

Dr. Jose-Marie Griffiths, Bryant University

Dr. Donna M. Qualters, Suffolk University

Dr. James L. Salsbury, Bentley University

Dr. Jean A. Wyld, Springfield College

GOALS OF THE SESSION:

Create an awareness of the of the challenges and opportunities involved in assessment between liberal arts disciplines and professional disciplines

Discuss ways to leverage the strengths of each college in the assessment and self study process

Share some concrete strategies used to create this conversation and bridge

Invite the audience to share their experiences

THE ISSUES

Having various data sources for the self assessment that are collected in the individual accreditation model of the profession

Having different approaches to assessment in the liberal arts and the professions

Bridging the Cultures

CHALLENGES OPPORTUNITIES1. Language of Assessment

(C) Need to create equivalency and translation (O) Clearer sense of the commonalities

2. View of Assessment (C) Attitude and ownership (O) Begin a culture of assessment

3. Dialogue and bridging (C) Getting the faculties to talk together (O) Create venues to allow a comprehensive

vision

4. Faculty views of each other (C) Seeing everyone as educators whether

theoretical or applied (O) Create a culture of assessment of

LEARNING

SUGGESTION FOR FACULTY VIEWS & LANGUAGE

1. Created the CEAC = Core Education Assessment Committee

Interdisciplinary group Representatives from the liberal arts, the sciences, the

professions, and freshmen programs Started with definitions!!!

2. Longitudinal Writing Project across disciplines Common set of criteria and rubric established Buy in from LA and PA Volunteer trained reviewers Created an assessment over 4 years of our writing

outcome