Assessment

Four, general institutional commitments inform SWU’s participation in assessment.

SWU is committed to Biblical faithfulness. Scripture is replete with commands and examples of general assessments. At the creation, God assesses the “goodness” of His creation (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31; 2:18). Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly affirms that He assesses human behavior, and, therefore, His people should perform honest self-assessments (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 12:33, 35; cf. Luke 6:43f; James 3:11-12; Lamentations 3:40; Haggai 1:5; Proverbs 21:5, 29-30; 27:23; Acts 20:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 2:15).
SWU is committed to students. SWU aims to be a “student-focused learning community.” Assessing the learning of students in academic programs is a way that SWU demonstrates commitment to students and focuses on them and their needs.
SWU is committed to improvement. A commitment to continuous quality improvement is how SWU demonstrates its core values of academic rigor and vocational excellence. SWU recognizes that there is always room to grow in quality and excellence. Assessing student learning helps the institution make improvements in that direction.
SWU is committed to accountability. Assessing student learning is a way for the institution to be accountable to internal and external stakeholders and constituents. As a part of institutional accountability, assessment of student learning is mandated by the institution’s external accreditor, SACSCOC.

Event / Communication	Description	Responsible Person/Office	Dates
Assessment Plan Submitted* *Does not occur annually. Typically submitted as part of the new program proposal/approval process.	When a new academic program is launched, an assessment plan is collected as a part of the new program proposal.	Program Coordinators	Varies (Included with New Program Proposal)
Data Collection	Learning outcome measures are implemented, and data is gathered.	Program Faculty	August – May
Notification of Deans	Deans are notified/reminded about the learning outcomes assessment reporting process and upcoming dates.	Institutional Effectiveness (IE)	By December 15^th
Analysis of Assessment Data	Program coordinators review assessment data with program faculty. This review is documented.	Program Coordinators	On or by Spring Semester Faculty Development Day (Second Week of May)
Assessment Report Submitted	Program Coordinators submit completed Learning Outcomes Assessment reports to unit dean.	Program Coordinators	By May 31^st
Revised Assessment Report Submitted* *If needed	Deans review Assessment Reports and advise on revisions.	Deans	By June 30^th
Assessment Reports Submitted to Provost	IE reviews (for completeness) and archives assessment reports. Reports are presented to the Provost with a narrative highlighting important progress and/or areas of the assessment process needing attention.	IE	By July 31^st

Guide to Assessment (For Administrative Unit Directors - FORTHCOMING)