The document outlines an assessment plan for general education at a community college. It proposes that assessment can improve teaching and learning by evaluating whether students are acquiring the intended knowledge, skills, and competencies as outlined in the college's mission and objectives. The plan involves identifying learning outcomes, designing assessments, gathering evidence from student academic outcomes, interpreting the data, and implementing changes to assist students and improve curricula and pedagogy. An example is provided where exam failures were assessed, areas for improvement were identified, and revisions to the syllabus and additional workshops were proposed.

1. Assessment and the 5th Column

2. An Assessment Plan for General Education
should be based upon two beliefs:
 1) a sound general education helps students
acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes
that they will need to pursue successfully
academic, career and personal goals
 2) systematic assessment of student learning
outcomes can be an effective vehicle for
improving teaching and learning

3.  To improve both the quality and quantity of
learning for students as well as to respond to
their personal development needs
 Assessment gives PCCC a powerful tool to help
discover whether students have acquired the
knowledge, skills and competencies consistent
with the aims for general education set out in
the College’s Mission and its general education
learning objectives
 Students’ academic outcomes are the primary
source of assessment data and provide
information about the effectiveness of the
curriculum and faculty development

4. PCCC’s
Mission
& Goals
3. Gather
Evidence
4. Interpret
Data
5.
Implement
Change
1. Identify
Outcomes
2. Design
Assessment

5.  assist students in the improvement of their
learning
 assist faculty in the improvement of
curricula and pedagogy

6.  Does it include a plan of what to do with the
data collected?
 Is there consensus of a new intended
outcome?
 Is there a target date for completion of the
next study?

7. n = 30
There were 449 passing final exams. Of the
208 failing final exams, 30 were assessed:
85% of final exams failed due to grammatical
errors
15% of exams failed due to limited clarity and
a lack of complexity of thought

8. 1. The syllabus will be revised so that it:
a. Includes a grammar component
b. Adds more instructional time on the
thesis statement
c. Allots time for mandatory
teacher/student conferencing
2. Workshops will be given on how to write a
thesis statement

9. Thank you for your time.
If you have any questions please feel free to
contact the General Education
Committee…or Dr. Bookbinder at
mbookbinder@pccc.edu or 973.684.5512