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Wisconsin Technical College
Measuring Skill Attainment – DQI February 8, 2006
Core Indicator Components
• Valid and Reliable Assessment System
• Employer Validated Standards• Met/Not Met Levels for
Reporting• Concentrator – Denominator• Measurement Process
Valid and Reliable Assessment Systems
• Accreditation sets the framework for Valid and Reliable Assessment Systems.
• The assessment of student learning is a priority for all accreditation organizations.
Valid and Reliable Assessment Systems
• Five Criteria for Accreditation
• 3a. The organization’s goals for student learning outcomes are clearly stated for each educational program and make effective assessment possible.
Source: The Higher Learning Commission, Institutional Accreditation: An Overview at www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org
WTCS Practices
• Program Development and Approval Process http://systemattic.wtcsystem.org/Instruction/ESM/default.htm
• Worldwide Instructional Design Systems (WIDS) http://www.wids.org/
• Program Advisory Committees http://systemattic.wtcsystem.org/Policy/Adminbul/02-03.pdf
• Program Evaluation (QRP) http://systemattic.wtcsystem.org/qrp/default.htm
Employer Validated Standards
• Employers set standards at the program development/curriculum development stage.
• Employers participate in program evaluation every three - five years.
• Employer validated standards set the course outcomes.
• Student Learning Outcomes assessed for each course.
Met/Not Met Measurement
• All Concentrators who took a technical course are measured.
• Concentrator took 24 credits the start of the cohort.
• The measurement period is three years.
• The measurement is: Did the student pass 80% of the courses attempted?
Benefits
• Course completion covers all concentrators and is comparable throughout a college and between colleges.
• Course completion data is readily available.
Benefits
• Because colleges can identify students in the first year of the cohort and track progress…
• There is an opportunity to intervene directly with current students.
• Tracking students over time supports enrollment management.
Benefits
• Data analysis on course completion allows for targeted improvement strategies and college Improvement Plans that can be monitored.
• It is possible to clearly demonstrate whether students are improving.
Benefits• There is a direct link between
grant funded activities and performance improvement.
Cost
• Collecting course completion information has no cost.
• Grades are not collected.• No system exists to collect
information on licensure or certification. Developing one would be costly and represent a minority of the concentrators.
Challenges
• Getting colleges to be proactive about accountability.
• Competing accountability priorities for colleges
• Keeping curriculum up to date• Keeping instructors current• Accountability is labor and cost
intensive