Assessment of student learning is a critical to continuous improvement of academic quality. The Assessment Council is charged with oversight and integration of assessment activities across campus. The Council works to integrate assessment of academic learning goals - university student learning goals, general education learning goals, degree program learning goals and course goals – with learning goals for academic advising and student affairs. Since many Michigan Tech programs are professionally accredited by ABET, AACSB and SAF, the Council also works to balance the requirements of professional accreditation with university student learning goals.
In 2011, University Student Learning Goals were established and approved by the President:
- Disciplinary Knowledge.
- Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world.
- Global Literacy.
- Critical & Creative Thinking.
- Communication.
- Information Literacy
- Technology
- Values and Civic Engagement.
To measure students' success in achieving learning goals, we evaluate samples of student work, administer special exams, and conduct student interviews and surveys throughout the year, including national surveys such as the National Survey on Student Engagement. General Education goals are assessed using LEAP VALUE rubrics developed by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. Assessment results enable us to identify opportunities to improve courses and curricula, teaching practices, and student life activities, as well as make informed decisions about degree programs.