The document outlines the efforts of the American Public University System (APUS) to engage faculty and administrators in assessing student learning outcomes in a distance learning context. It highlights APUS's mission to provide affordable education to military and public service communities while promoting accountability through data-driven decision-making and continuous program review. The presentation includes details on assessment processes, stakeholder communication, and institutional strategies for improvement.

1. Engaging Faculty and Administrators in the Assessment Process at a
Distance Learning Institution
15th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning | Orlando, FL |
October 2009

2. • Introductions
• APUS Mission and Demographics
• Promote accountability among faculty and
administrators
• Inform internal and external stakeholders
on the achievement of student learning
outcomes
• Assessment and retention as a system
•I
Incorporate assessment data into decision
t td t i t d i i
making processes
• Conclusion and dialogue

3. Frank McCluskey, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and
Provost
Jennifer Stephens Helm, Ph.D.
Associate Vice-President Dean of
Vice-President,
Assessment
Dave Becher
Director, Academic Information
Analysis
Chad Patrizi, ABD
Patrizi
Dean of Business Administration

5. To educate the nation's military
and public service communities
by providing respected, relevant,
affordable, and student-focused
online programs which prepare
them for service and leadership
in a diverse, global society.

6. • Founded in 1991 as American Military
University to provide affordable and
convenient distance learning to service
g
members
• In 2002, expanded reach to national security,
public safety and other professionals seeking
affordable education and online convenience
convenience,
establishing American Public University
System with member institutions:
American Military University and
American Public University
• We are a 100% online for-profit school that
serves 53,000+ students who study online
from 100 countries.

7. Promote Accountability among Faculty
and Administrators
Yearly Goals Tied to Continuous Program Review
Metrics Review of Data Process
•MManagement by
tb • Survey data •PProgram review
i
Objectives • Other indirect committee
measures of • Action plan for
assessment continuous
improvement

8. Data External
Collection Review
Follow‐Up Analysis
Program
Three Year
Plan
Review
Meeting

9. Electronic Repository of Information
Library and Curriculum External
Learning Resources Assessment Reviewer Feedback
• Course books • Student learning • Expert reviewer report
• Electronic resources outcomes • Industry Advisory
• Instructional strategies Council report
• Learning strategies
• Evaluation procedures
• Academic rigor

10. Electronic Repository of Information
Faculty Students Learning Outcomes
Assessment
• A l i of faculty
Analysis f f lt • Student demographic •C i l M
Curricular Mapping
i
credentials and information
• Assessment measures
expertise to ensure • Enrollment History
breadth and diversity • Fact book
• Growth trends

11. Electronic Repository of Information
Program Program Directory Program Review
Benchmarking Summary Findings
• Program benchmarking • Evaluation of findings • Dean’s observations
with similar programs • Program • Meeting minutes
and institutions recommendations
• Three year proposed
strategic plan

12. Dave insert slides
Dave – insert slides

18. Inform Internal and External
Stakeholders on the Achievement
of Student Learning Outcomes
Transparency by Learning Outcomes Internal
Design Assessment Website Communications
• Charter member • Approximately 7000 • Meetings
• College Choices for hits per month • Faculty, staff, and
Adults • Assessment initiatives, student newsletters
programs assessment resources • Faculty and student
• Website assists adult for faculty, student lounges
learner in making learning outcomes,
informed decisions program level learning
about distance outcome assessments
education results
http://www.collegecho http://www.apus.edu/le
icesforadults.org/ arning-outcomes-
assessments/

19. Assessment and
y
Retention as a System
• Regular dissemination of data to stakeholders
• Reciprocal relationship between data team and
Deans
• Assessment feedback loop

20. Incorporate Assessment
Data into Decision Making
Processes - Examples
General Education Business Program Criminal Justice
Program Program
• Math and science • Accounting course • Corrections course
curriculum

21. Frank McCluskey, Ph.D.
McCluskey Ph D
fmmcluskey@apus.edu
Executive Vice President and Provost
Jennifer Stephens, Ph.D.
J if St h Ph D
jstephens@apus.edu
Associate Vice-President, Dean of Assessment
Dave Becher
dbecher@apus.edu
Director, Academic Information Analyst