Assessment at Peru State College

We define assessment at Peru State College as “The systematic process of collecting, analyzing, sharing, and using information to improve student learning and development and the quality and efficiency of programs and services provided to students.”  The college is committed to an ongoing process of assessment, reflection, and improvement of the student experience, particularly their learning.  After all, assessment is not beneficial unless the results are shared and utilized to guide improvements; closing the assessment loop.  We believe that for assessment to be meaningful it must be done thoughtfully and systematically.   We also understand that the learning and development of our students takes place inside and outside of the classroom which is why we focus assessment at every level.  We recognize that a culture of assessment takes time and collaboration across campus, which is why our assessment committee, made up of staff and faculty across campus, work together to ensure ongoing assessment processes.

Assessment should be practiced as a cyclical process, ongoing, so that we are constantly assessing and closing the loop (meaning utilizing the results to make improvements).


Council for Advancement in Higher Education (CAS) Assessment Standards

In order to achieve standards in our practice of assessment, the Peru State College will follow the Assessment and Evaluation Professional Standards and Best Practices developed by the Council for Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). These standards include the following:

  • Programs and services must have a clearly articulated assessment plan to document achievement of stated goals and learning outcomes, demonstrate accountability, provide evidence of improvement, and describe resulting changes in programs and services.
  • Programs and services must have adequate fiscal, human, professional development, and technological resources to develop and implement assessment plans.
  • Assessments must include direct and indirect evaluation and use qualitative and quantitative methodologies and existing evidence, as appropriate, to determine whether and to what degree the stated mission, goals, and intended outcomes are being met as effectively and efficiently as possible. The process must employ sufficient and sound measures to ensure comprehensiveness. Data collected must include responses from students and other constituencies, and aggregated results must be shared with those groups. Results of assessments must be shared appropriately with multiple constituents.
  • Results of assessments and evaluations must be used to identify needs and interests in revising and improving programs and services, recognizing staff performance, maximizing resource efficiency and effectiveness, improving student achievement of learning and development outcomes, and improving student persistence and success. Changes resulting from the use of assessments and evaluation must be shared with stakeholders.