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 Outcomes Assessment

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Outcomes Assessment is the process COS faculty use to collect information on student learning in courses and programs. Analysis of outcomes data helps identify needs, inform decision-making, and determine the allocation of resources. Improving student learning is a priority across the District. COS faculty are committed to assessment as an integral part of the instructional process, where outcomes assessment is ongoing, systematic and used for continuous improvement. 

​​Outcomes assessment is a process that depends on all campus constituents at COS.  Divisions/departments assess course and program outcomes, while the campus at large assesses General Education outcomes (GELOs) via the work of the institutional General Education Committee.  Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) are assessed through the Outcomes and Assessment Committee, with reports distributed to the District via the governance process. 

Course and Program outcomes are assessed on a three-year cycle, as are Service Area Outcomes. GELOs and ILOs are assessed according to the schedules set by their respective committees. Scheduled assessment dates for courses (SLOs), programs (PLOs), and service areas (SAOs) are maintained in the District's assessment management system (Nuventive Improve) and can be viewed on the District's Assessment Cycle Schedule, which is maintained by the Outcomes Assessment Coordinator and available via the Outcomes Assessment Committee documents.

The O&A Committee maintains a Canvas site where you can find references, resources, tutorials and best practices for outcomes assessment at COS.

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 Institutional Learning Outcomes

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Institutional Learnin​g​ Outcomes (ILOs) assessment identifies needs, which informs decision-making and resource allocation. Assessment performed at the course level maps to program outcomes then connects to institutional outcomes.


 

 General Education Outcomes

General Education Learning Outcomes (GELOs) state the knowledge a student should possess once they complete a broad series of courses designed to develop social, scientific, communication, analytical, civic and personal skills.

 Program Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) state what the student will be able to do at the completion of a program. These outcomes may include areas of competency within a given discipline, certificate, General Education pattern or pathway.​​

 Course Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are statements that specify what students will know, be able to do or demonstrate when they ha​ve completed or participated in an individual course. The outcomes are used to assess how well our students are achieving the knowledge and skills in individual courses.