Who Benefits from Learning Outcomes Assessment

When student learning outcomes assessment is done in a meaningful and systematic way, it benefits all facets of the institution from the students, to the faculty, to the administration. SLOA also impacts the community.

For students, SLOA will:

• communicate clear expectations about what is important in a degree program or certificate
• inform them that they will be evaluated in a consistent and transparent way
• reassure them that there is common core content across all sections of a course
• allow them to make better decisions about programs based on outcomes results

For faculty, participating in SLOA will:

• help them determine what is working and what is not working in their courses or programs
• facilitate valuable interdisciplinary and intercampus discussions
• provide powerful evidence to justify needed resources to maintain or improve programs
• provide reassurance that all faculty teaching a particular degree required course agree to address certain core content
• allow them to make improvements based on data and not just anecdotal evidence

For administrators, implementing college-wide SLOA will:

• demonstrate an institutional commitment to continually improving the academic programs and services offered by the College
• provide valuable data to support requests for funds from state and local government and private donors
• demonstrate accountability to funding sources
• provide valuable data for academic planning and decision-making
• enable them to inform elected officials, local businesses, and potential donors about the College's impact on our students and our community in a very compelling and convincing way