The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS, NOVA’s accreditation agency) require that NOVA assess general education core competencies.

Your participation in this assessment is an important part of the educational process. Assessment enables the College to answer important questions being asked increasingly by students, parents, employers and legislators about what a college degree is worth. Your participation allows us to evaluate the types of courses and programs here at NOVA that have an impact on student learning.

At the start of the process programs and disciplines are reviewed. Certain guidelines must be followed and there are contacts assigned to each division who you can contact with any questions you may have.

• Program Evaluation: Biotechnology - Fall 2011 through Fall 2016
• Program Evaluation: Engineering - Fall 2011 through Fall 2016
• Program Evaluation: Photography - Fall 2011 through Fall 2016
• Program Evaluation: Administration of Justice - Fall 2011 through Spring 2016
• Program Evaluation: Early Childhood Development - Fall 2011 through Spring 2016
• Program-Discipline Review Guidelines
• Program Evaluation: Accounting – Fall 2006 to Fall 2010
• Discipline Evaluation: Biology – Fall 2008 to Fall 2010
• Discipline Evaluation: Chemistry – Fall 2008 to Fall 2010
• Program Evaluation: Construction Management Technology – Fall 2006 to Fall 2010
• Program Evaluation: Fire Science Technology – Fall 2006 to Fall 2010
• Discipline Evaluation: Geography – Fall 2008 to Fall 2010
• Discipline Evaluation: Geology – Fall 2008 to Fall 2010
• Program Evaluation: Hospitality Management – Fall 2006 to Fall 2010
• Discipline Evaluation: Natural Science – Fall 2008 to Fall 2010
• Discipline Evaluation: Physical Education and Health – Fall 2008 to Fall 2010
• Discipline Evaluation: Physics – Fall 2008 to Fall 2010
• Discipline/Program Evaluation: Communication Studies and Theatre – Fall 2006 to Fall 2010

• Procedures for Documenting SLO
• Student Learning Outcomes - Degree-Awarding Programs and Select Certificates
• Student Learning Outcomes - Lead Faculty and Coordinating Deans
• Outcome-Based Institutional Effectiveness Plan Highlights 
• Outcome-Based Institutional Effectiveness Plan 
• Academic Assessment at NOVA 
• Overview of Program/Discipline Review 
• SCHEV Core Competencies
• VCCS General Education Goals
• NOVA General Education Goals
• Student Learning Outcomes Summary Form
• Assessment Methods

• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2015-2016 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2014-2015 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2013-2014 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2012-2013 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2011-2015 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2010-2011 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2009-2010 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2008-2009 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2007-2008 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2006-2007 (.pdf)
• Annual Planning and Evaluation Report: Instructional Programs 2005-2006 (.pdf)
• Annual Assessment Report: Instructional Programs 2004-2005 (.pdf)
• Annual Assessment Report: Medical Education Campus Instructional Programs 2002-2005 (.pdf)
• Annual Assessment Report: Instructional Programs 2003-2004 (.pdf)
• Annual Assessment Report: Instructional Programs 2002-2003 (.pdf)
• Assessment Report 2001 (.rtf)
• Assessment Report 2000 (.rtf)
• Assessment of Developmental Education, Fall 2000 (.rtf)
• Assessment Report 1999 (.rtf)
• Assessment Report 1996-1997 (.rtf)

Annual Planning and Evaluation Reports

• Template for Annual Planning and Evaluation Report (MS Word required to view)
• Checklist for Annual Planning and Evaluation Report
• Data for Annual Planning and Evaluation Reports
• Using and Reporting SLO Results to Improve Student Learning (ppt)
• Sample Entries - Use of Results to Improve Student Learning
• Procedures for Documenting SLO

SLO Process

• SLO Assessment Process Checklist

SLO Videos

(short videos concentrating on specific SLO topics)

• What are Student Learning Outcomes and Course Objectives?
  
• Observable and Measurable Verbs in SLOs and Course Objectives

Faculty Training Workshops

Spring 2013

• Writing and Mapping Course Objectives
• Aligning Assessments with Course Objectives
  • Handouts: Backward Design; Test Blueprint
• Using Rubrics to Measure Student Performance
  • Handout: Sample Rubrics 
• Collecting and Analyzing Evidence of Student Learning at the Course and Program Level
• Simple and Effective Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs) to Improve Teaching and Learning
  • Handout: Suggestions for Analyzing Classroom Assessment Data
• Aligning Test Items with Course Learning Objectives
  
  • Handout: Aligning Test Items Handout

Previous Semesters

• Workshop 1: Student Learning Outcomes in NOVA Programs and Classrooms
• Workshop 2: Writing and Mapping Student Learning OutcomesAssessment Techniques 
  • Handout: Assessment Readings
• Workshop 3: Methods for Assessing Student Learning Outcomes
  • Handout: Assessment Methods
• Workshop 4: Developing Rubrics Presentation
  • Handout: Developing Rubrics
• Workshop 5: Classroom Assessment Techniques: Finding Out What Your Students Really Know
  • Handout: Selected CATs for Getting Feedback on Student Learning and Response to Teaching
• Workshop 6: Reporting Results 
  • Reporting Results for Program Goals
  • Reporting Results for Student Learning Outcomes
  • Recording of Presentation for Reporting Results
• Workshop 7: Aligning Test Items with Course Learning Objectives
  • Handout: Bloom’s Taxonomy with Corresponding Verbs
  • Handout: Examples of Multiple-Choice Items Measuring at Various Levels

WEAVEonline

• NOVA WEAVEonline Log-In
• NOVA WEAVEonline Manual (Sept. 2010)

Assessment Links

• Assessment Loop Resources
  • General Assessment Process
  • Step 1 - Writing Student Learning Outcomes
  • Step 2 - Mapping Student Learning
  • Step 3 - Choosing Assessment Methods
  • Step 4 - Gathering Evidence
  • Step 5 - Closing the Loop
• Assessment Resources by Discipline
• Benchmarks for Success in Internet-based Distance Education
• Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives
• Principles of Good Practice for Assessing Student Learning
• Using Results to Improve Student Learning - Sample Academic Assessment Report Entries

Helpful Links

• Achieving the Dream (ATD)
• Association for Institutional Research (AIR)
• Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE)
• Northern Virginia Regional Commission
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)
• Virginia Assessment Group (VAG)
• Virginia Community Colleges System (VCCS)
• Virginia Association for Management Analysis and Planning (VAMAP)