PROGRAM REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE
 
Minutes of: September 25th 2003
 
Present: L.L. Berman, J. Critzer, M.Kennedy, M. Moss, R. Mugno, H. Podnar, E. Schmitt, W. Shyam.
Started: 9:30am.

Dr. Marianne Kennedy, the acting SCSU Assessment Coordinator, joined PRAC members during the first 30 minutes of the meeting. After a short introduction, Dr. Kennedy described her current coordinating role and presented some possible directions for the SCSU assessment. She mentioned a number of issues that her office is addressing, including dissatisfaction and budget cuts. The university is no longer capable of funding external evaluators, and it can not guarantee release time for the assessment. She pointed out that the distinction should be made between assessment and accreditation. Programs should embrace the assessment process as a tool for program improvements with a focus on student learning and outcomes. Three basic questions are to be answered:1. What is it that we want our students to learn?, 2. How do we measure this learning?, and 3. How do we use this information to improve our programs?. Dr. Kennedy reiterated that the assessment should not be punitive, but rewarding. The university did contact Dr. Barbara Wright (ECSU Assessment Coordinator) in its efforts to redefine the SCSU assessment process. Faculty members are invited to participate the assessment model definition. Dr. Kennedy promised that she will continue the dialog with PRAC, and provide more information about the ongoing activities.

One of the SCSU departments approached PRAC asking for some help in the assessment process. This generated a discussion about the role of PRAC and the level of PRAC's involvement within the process. The members strongly agreed that there is a need for training, if PRAC is to continue monitoring the assessment process. One of the members noticed that it might be necessary to clarify the purpose of assessment.

One of the models considered was the Graduate Council model. It was noticed that the Council could remove a program from the catalog, if the program did not comply with the Council guidelines. The guidelines include about fourteen points that must be addressed by the departments.

The PRAC will continue to discuss its role, and to actively participate in the new assessment model definition.

Adjourned at 10:40am

Recorder: H.Podnar

Revised by Christine Stanton, UA for UCF 10/2/03