Assessment is an ongoing systematic process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting
information to determine the extent to which identified outcomes are met. Findings
are used to assist in making informed decisions to improve student learning, student
support, and university services and operations. Winthrop University operates from
the premise that assessment of academic, administrative, and student support units
maintains and strengthens the units, while allowing the institution to achieve its
stated outcomes.
The assessment expectations for all academic, administrative, and student support
units are governed by Winthrop University’s Assessment Policy – Academic, Administrative, and Student Support Units. As outlined in the policy, responsibility for annual assessment of each academic,
administrative, and student support unit lies with the individual unit. Student learning
outcome assessment is the primary focus of academic units; process and efficiency
outcomes assessment is the principal emphasis of administrative units; and student
support and development assessment is stressed in student support units.
Assessment within all units occurs annually, within a specified timeline. It is expected that the unit’s faculty or staff participate in discussing and implementing the various aspects of the assessment process (i.e., outcomes, methodology, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and use of data). A common, university-wide template is used for submission of assessment reports for consistency of reporting across units. Assessment reports and supporting documentation are reviewed by the appropriate unit administrator and then submitted to either the Academic Assessment Committee, Administrative Assessment Committee, or Student Support Assessment Committee for review with a common university-wide rubric. The Department of Institutional Effectiveness, within the Division of Academic Affairs, facilitates and coordinates the assessment process at the institutional level, including the provision of educational opportunities for units and training for committee members.
Unit assessment is an essential component in demonstrating Winthrop University’s compliance with SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation (PDF - 959 KB), specifically those that address institutional effectiveness.
Standard 7.3 – The institution identifies expected outcomes of its administrative support services and demonstrates the extent to which the outcomes are achieved.
Standard 8.2a – The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of seeking improvements based on analysis of the results for student learning outcomes for each of its educational programs.
Standard 8.2c – The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of seeking improvements based on analysis of the results for academic and student services that support student success.
An outcomes-based assessment effort, therefore, allows for continual improvement of the student educational experience, supports the institution’s strategic plan, and maintains the University’s compliance with external mandates (e.g., SACSCOC, DOE, and specialized programmatic accrediting agencies).
