The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (http://www.msche.org/) is an agency that provides peer review and accreditation of degree granting colleges and Universities in the middle Atlantic region. A Middle States Team visited Penn State from April 10 - April 13, 2005. In June, 2005, the Middle States Commission reaffirmed accreditation and requested a progress letter from the University documenting "the development of a comprehensive plan for the assessment of student learning that is linked to the overall assessment of institutional effectiveness and to the institution's strategic planning process" (Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 2005).
Penn State has responded by forming a Coordinating Committee on University Assessment. The committee's initial charge was to develop and implement a university-wide assessment plan that prioritizes the University needs. The committee then formed four task teams to examine the following spheres of assessment: course, program, General Education, and cocurricular. The Cocurricular Task Team has begun their efforts by defining the "cocurriculum" and drafting learning outcomes.
The following is the latest draft.
Knowledge Acquisition/Application
Students will:
- Develop an understanding of knowledge from a range of disciplines/areas
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply ideas and themes across the curriculum and cocurriculum.
Cognitive Competency
Students will:
- Acquire learning skills to assist in their academic success
- Develop critical and reflective thinking abilities
- Apply effective reasoning skills
Life Skills and Self-Knowledge
Students will:
- Determine their career interests
- Acquire career management skills
- Develop the ability to manage and resolve interpersonal conflicts
- Cultivate a propensity for lifelong learning
- Develop personal health, fitness, wellness and leisure habits and identify health risks
- Improve self-understanding and awareness by developing an integrated personal identity (including sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture and spiritual)
- Exhibit responsible decision-making and personal accountability
Personal Integrity and Values
Students will:
- Acquire ethical reasoning skills
- Improve their ability to manage their emotions effectively
- Develop a sense of personal integrity and clarify their personal values
- Appreciate creative expression and aesthetics
- Demonstrate compassion and empathy for others
Intercultural Development
Students will:
- Possess multicultural awareness and knowledge
- Develop sensitivity to and appreciation of human differences
- Exhibit the ability to work effectively with those different from themselves
- Demonstrate a commitment to social justice
Leadership and Active Citizenship
Students will:
- Communicate effectively with others both verbally and in writing
- Demonstrate an understanding of group dynamics and effective teamwork
- Understand leadership theory and styles
- Identify their own leadership style when working with others
- Develop a range of leadership skills and abilities such as effectively leading change, resolving conflict, and motivating others
- Assume a sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to public life
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