Well, well, well... the HLC visit is over and we were successful in our endeavors! Full reaccreditation for the next 10 years. That said, assessment was not mentioned as a weakness- a victory- or as a strength. Essentially we are doing okay with assessment, as we have obviously improved in leaps and bounds over our previous visit. However, we have not achieved the holy grail- assessment as a strength. 


This means we need to persist in bringing the fight to the enemy! Our enemy at this point in regards to assessment is the status quo. It is also the lackadasical attitude that we have made it and can now relax for eight years!  Now is the time to continue to strike whilst the iron is hot and finish what we've started. Some of my newer readers may wonder, "What have we started?" Let's take a look at some assessment initiatives that are ongoing at this time: 

1. Assessment of our College Core Competencies: we've started; now we need to push through by mandating assessment for our graduating students. We also need to push through in locating or developing instruments to measure our other core competencies.
2. Assessment in LAS: We have a good start here also. The eFolio process is continuing to evolve and will continue to become a greater tool of assessment in LAS. In addition to this, there are pushes for alternative assessment methods in LAS, which means that relevant discussions regarding assessment are occurring and the creative juices are flowing.
3. Technical Assessment: This area of assessment has a long track record and continues to grow and evolve as well. Many programs are utilizing standardized assessment instruments from NOCTI and Skills USA. There have been some issues and some glitches, but we are moving onward and upward.
4. Assessment of Student Affairs: We have begun a new era with the push for varied assessments in student affairs. Dean Linda Beer is working diligently to increase assessment in her division in order to address accountability issues and to improve service to our most valued customers- the students.
5. Examination of our College Core Competencies: The Student Learning Committee will be re-examining our college core competencies this Spring to ensure their relevance and usefulness. For example, do we wish to have a core competency of Technological Literacy or one of Informational Literacy? What is better? What's the difference? Join the SLC and join the debate!

We absolutely cannot lose focus and drop the ball at this point! We've expended too much time, money, and energy to get to where we are to regress to where we used to be. Maintain your vigilance and continue to fight the fight to assess for both your and your student's sake. 

We are accredited! Celebrate your hard work. Now get up, dust yourself off, and lets march to achieve assessment perfection!

Wayne Whitmore