Outcomes & Program Review
FAQs about Outcomes Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions about Learning Outcomes Assessment
1) What is a program?
For the purpose of assessing learning outcomes in Canvas (a learning management system), outcomes are grouped based on academic areas and programs.
2) What is a program review?
Skagit Valley College’s Program Review is a four-year process that includes three years of program data collection followed by a fourth year of data analysis and planning. The process collects, analyzes, and measures data annually on the following categories:
- Student Access (data on enrollment and demographics)
- Student Achievement (data on transition and completion)
- Student satisfaction (data collected through surveys and course evaluations on perceptions of program learning, quality, resources, and equity)
- Student Learning (Faculty collect data outcomes that are mapped to their courses)
3) What is the SVC Annual Program Effectiveness Worksheet?
4) What is the purpose of the programs effectiveness worksheet?
5) What are learning outcomes?
6) What are general education learning outcomes?
7) What are program learning outcomes?
8) What are course-specific learning outcomes?
9) What are degree learning outcomes (DLOs)?
10) What is program learning outcomes assessment?
11) What is an outcomes assessment rubric?
12) Who wrote programs learning outcomes?
13) How often are learning outcomes updated?
14) Who assesses program outcomes?
15) Why do faculty assess learning outcomes?
16) Who does program review?
17) How are program outcomes mapped?
Each program learning outcome is mapped to one or more specific courses within or across programs. “Mapping” means that faculty, within their departments, collaborated and identified the courses that are appropriate to assess specific program outcomes. Faculty also identified the schedule of when outcomes should be assessed (Year 1, Year 2, Year 3).
- Year 1: Spring 2023 through Spring 2024
- Year 2: Summer 2024 through Spring 2025
- Year 3: Summer 2025 through Spring 2026
Note: Instructors are encouraged to continue to assess learning outcomes applicable to their courses even before or beyond the year the outcome is scheduled to be assessed. The more often faculty can assess an outcome within in a course and between quarters the better.