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| ©2008 Council for Higher Education Accreditation. All rights reserved. | ||
Evidence of student achievement, student learning outcomes, plays an increasingly important role in discussions of higher education quality and effectiveness. At the same time, developing and using capacity to address student learning outcomes is a complex and significant challenge for colleges and universities, whether pursued at the level of a major, a program or the institution.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) invites applications for the 2008 Award for Institutional Progress in Student Learning Outcomes. This award acknowledges outstanding institutional progress in developing and applying evidence of student learning outcomes as part of the ongoing evaluation and improvement of college and university programs of study. Up to four awards will be made each year. Awards will be presented at the 2008 CHEA Annual Conference to be held in Washington DC.
Applications may be submitted by CHEA institutional members. Check the Institutional Members page on our Website for a complete list. The scope of the application may be institution-wide, focused on a specific program or focused on a major.
Applications will be reviewed by an Award Committee of individuals from higher education institutions, accrediting organizations and the public. Applications will be judged by the extent to which the four award criteria have been met:
In addition to the four criteria, the committee looks for evidence of outcomes embedded in an institutional culture, good use of current technology in the methods and tools to track outcomes, extensive use of faculty and strong faculty support, institutional leadership that is dedicated to the importance of outcomes and approaches to outcomes that can be replicated at other institutions.
To be considered for an award, an applicant on behalf of an institution, program or major should complete the four sections of this application
Evidence can be the result of quantitative and qualitative approaches to gathering information. It should be relevant to what is being claimed, potentially verifiable through replication or third-party inspection and representative or typical of major, program or institutional performance. Evidence must involve examination of student levels of attainment (individual students or representative samples) and may include:
Self-study reports and student satisfaction surveys do not constitute direct evidence of student learning outcomes.
For the purposes of the CHEA Award:
Student learning outcomes is defined as “the knowledge, skills and abilities that a student has attained at the end (or as a result) of his or her engagement in a particular set of higher education experiences.” This is distinguished from a general student outcome that is the result of attending an institution or program.
Informing the public is defined as “providing readily available and easily understood data or analysis that informs students and others about the success of a major, program or institution.”
Major is defined as “an institution-designated concentration that culminates in a degree” (e.g., history, philosophy, mathematics).
Program is defined as “a course of study in a career or professional area that culminates in a degree” (e.g., nursing, journalism, occupational therapy).
Additional information about 2006 and 2007 award recipients may be found on the CHEA Website at www.chea.org/Chronicle/vol7/ChronVol7Num2.pdf and www.chea.org/pdf/2007_CHEA_Chronicle.pdf.
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (2003). Statement of Mutual Responsibilities for Student Learning Outcomes: Accreditation, Institutions and Programs. Washington, DC: Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). http://www.chea.org/pdf/StmntStudentLearningOutcomes9-03.pdf
Ewell, Peter T. (2001). Accreditation and Student Learning Outcomes: A Proposed Point of Departure. Washington, DC: Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). http://www.chea.org/award/StudentLearningOutcomes2001.pdf
August 20, 2007 | Application released to institutions |
October 19, 2007 | Applications received by CHEA |
December 5, 2007 | Applications reviewed by Award Committee |
December 7, 2007 | Award recipient(s) notified |
January 28, 2008 | Awards presented at CHEA Annual Conference |
Applications may be submitted as email attachments in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format, sent to riggs@chea.org. Applications may be also submitted via U.S. mail or other delivery service to the following address:
All applications must be received by Friday, October 19, 2007. Acknowledgement of receipt of application will be sent via email to the applicant.
For information about CHEA, please visit www.chea.org. For questions about the CHEA Award, contact Jan Riggs at 202-955-6126 (riggs@chea.org).
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One Dupont Circle NW • Suite 510 |
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| ©2008 Council for Higher Education Accreditation. All rights reserved. | ||