Article: Educational Development

Program Assessment Guidelines

Rutgers Office of Teaching Evaluation and Assessment Research

Lindsay’s Recommendation

This document provides a detailed description of best practices in program assessment. While tailored to departmental program assessment, the practices translate to educational development and are helpful for those wanting to learn more about program assessment.

A good departmental learning outcome assessment plan has the following characteristics:

The plan’s goals:

  • Ask important questions about student learning

  • Reflect the institution’s mission and learning goals

  • Support the stated departmental goals and objectives for learning

The plan’s methods:

  • Are collegial and collaborative

  • Are appropriate to the department’s learning outcome goals.

The plan’s implementation, or 'closing the loop' procedures:

  • Are directly linked to decision-making about the program's curriculum.

  • Lead directly to actions for improvement by the department or program.