Measures,
Rubrics, & Tools for
Assessing Student Learning Outcomes
Direct Measures of Student Learning
- The
capstone experience
- Portfolio assessment
- Standardized tests (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test [MFAT]; the Test of
- Critical Thinking Ability; the Academic Profile)
- Performance on national licensure, certification, or professional exams (e.g.,
Professional Assessment Examination for Beginning Teachers [PRAXIS]; Federal
- Aviation Administration exam)
- Locally developed tests
- Essay questions blind scored by faculty across the department, division, school,
or college
- Qualitative internal and external juried review of comprehensive senior projects
- Externally reviewed exhibitions and performance in the arts
- External evaluation of performance during internships based on stated program
objectives
Source: Cecilia Lopez, NCA Commission on Institutions
of Higher Education: Opportunities for Improvement: Advice
from Consultant-Evaluators of Programs to Assess Student
Learning, March, 1996
Indirect Measures of Student Learning
- Alumni, employer, and student surveys
- Exit interviews of graduates and focus groups
- Interviews of instructors, program coordinators, residence halls leaders, and
others who have direct contact with students
- Graduate follow-up studies
- Retention and transfer studies
- Length of time to degree
- SAT / ACT scores
- Graduation rates and transfer rates
- Job placement data
- Satisfaction surveys
- Self-report measures assessing students’ perceptions of what they’ve
learned
- Observing and recording students’ behaviors
Sources:
(1) Parkland College Academic Assessment Program
(2) Center
for Effective Collaboration and Practice’s
list of Indirect Measures