Academic Programs: A Guide to the Annual Assessment Report
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Have the questions or the website changed from last year?
The questions were re-ordered (but basically remain the same as last year). The online system has been upgraded.
2. Our program submitted a report last year and didn’t do any assessment between June 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011. Do we still have to submit a report?
Yes. Review and update questions #1-4. Then briefly explain why assessment was not done under question #13.
3. How does an annual report help my program?
The annual report assists programs in documenting assessment activities. More than once the Assessment Office has heard, “[name removed] did all of the assessment and when he retired last year he took his files with him.” The annual reports are available in an easily accessible location on our website..
The annual report keeps the program on track for Program Review. The Program Review process was overhauled in 2008, and it now requires a review of the program's assessment activities. Your program's annual assessment reports are automatically submitted as part of the department’s self-study, and they are given to the external reviewers.
4. What is done with my report?
The Assessment Office uses the information in several ways. The Assessment Office5. When is my program’s report due?To date, the assessment reports have not been used by administration as part of prioritization or budgeting. The Assessment Office believes faculty consultation should take place before assessment results become part of prioritization and budgeting.
- locates examples of exemplary assessment practices that it can share with the faculty-at-large (a program’s permission is sought before the Assessment Office uses it as an example);
- identifies issues and concerns that need attention and uses those to guide Assessment Office program development (e.g., when an analysis of reports reveals the need for more attention to curriculum mapping, the Assessment Office offers workshops on that topic);
- summarizes the reports and conveys that summary to the Faculty Senate, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The summary serves as primary support in Mānoa’s case for re-accreditation and meets reporting requirements set by WASC.
- conveys the reports to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for use as part of Program Review.
Friday, October 14, 2011
6. Do you have examples or ways to get help?
Yes. Come to one of our information workshops: Workshop Schedule.
An example of a completed report is posted online. Contact the Assessment Office.
7. Where do I go to input my program’s report?
Click on Login: Degree Programs (also on the left navigation bar).
8. What username and password do I use?
UH Username and Password
9. I’ve tried to log in and it tells me I’m not an authorized user, now what?
Contact the Assessment Office.
Click here for the list authorized users.
10. I am no longer the Assessment Coordinator, how does the new Assessment Coordinator get access?
Contact the Assessment Office.
11. My program doesn’t show up.
The official program names are used. If you do not find your program, contact the Assessment Office.
12. Can I upload the curriculum map as a Word document or Excel file instead of a PDF?
No. In an effort to avoid viruses, bugs, and other infections, only PDF files should be uploaded. If you need assistance converting a file to PDF, please contact IT personnel or the Assessment Office.
13. Can I see other programs’ reports or our program’s?
Yes. Go here: Reports: View By Years
14. Can I go back and edit the report after I submit it?
Yes!
15. What if I don’t have time to complete it in one sitting?
No problem. Each answer is saved when you press "next" or "save." When you need to leave, press "save and quit," log out, and finish another time. Caution: Jumping to a question will NOT save your answer.
16. Our program submitted an assessment report to our professional accrediting agency this year. Can I submit that instead of completing the report?
No. However, you can cut and paste the appropriate sections from the accreditation report into the assessment report.
17. Do I have to enter separate reports for EACH degree program? Why?
Yes. The goal of assessment is improved student learning and improved programs. For assessment to achieve its goal, a program needs assessment results that are specific to that program so it can make appropriate adjustments as necessary. Thus, the reports are by degree program.
However, exceptions are made. For example, when two degree programs share nearly all outcomes and assessment results may be used for both degree programs, a single report may be submitted. For example, a program’s BA and BS degrees typically have common outcomes and the assessment results can guide decision making in both degrees; thus they may submit one report. Contact the Assessment Office to discuss your particular situation.
18. What resources are available to help me complete the report?
- The Assessment Office offers workshops & consultations
Email: airo@hawaii.edu
Phone: 956-4283 or 956-6669 - Lending Library in HAW 107 (Assessment Office)
updated 08/30/2011