ERIC Number: EJ897797
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1068-610X
EISSN: N/A
Critical Factors Affecting the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes: A Delphi Study of the Opinions of Community College Personnel
Somerville, Jerry
Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, v15 n2 p109-119 Spr 2008
The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify critically important factors that affect the meaningful assessment of student learning outcomes and study why these factors were critically important. A three-round Delphi process was used to solicit the opinions of individuals who were actively involved in student learning outcomes assessment at community colleges. Twenty-two panelists reviewed and rated lists of statements describing facilitating and thwarting conditions associated with the assessment of student learning outcomes. Six factors emerged as critically important (knowledge/experience of campus leaders, trust, opportunities for dialogue/collaboration, leadership, faculty engagement, and use of assessment results). Four other factors were classified as extremely important (building campus knowledge, having an assessment plan, having communication strategies in place, and having administrators engaged in assessment). (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Delphi Technique, Communication Strategies, Student Evaluation, Community Colleges, Organizational Effectiveness, Outcomes of Education, Academic Achievement, Evaluation, Administrators, Two Year Colleges, Higher Education, Questionnaires, Pilot Projects, Accreditation (Institutions), Surveys
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A