UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research (OPAIR) has announced a new website featuring individual academic program assessment plans. The site marks a significant step towards assessment transparency and aligns with Penn State’s commitment to excellence in education. Community members can view the assessment plans — program learning objectives, assessment methods and assessment timelines — for each academic major and for-credit certificate participating in the University’s learning assessment process on the website. The website also provides contact information for individual program assessment leaders, allowing users to find departmental assessment contacts. This information aims to facilitate better collaboration among assessment leaders by connecting colleagues pursuing similar work.
Transparency is essential for building trust and accountability; at its core, assessment is about continuous improvement, and openly acknowledging learning goals for students, and the University's plans for assessing them is the first step. This new website takes inspiration from leaders like the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Acknowledging the varied approaches employed by peer institutions, Penn State is committed to setting an updated standard for assessment transparency that strikes a balance between transparency and protecting confidential assessment data. While the website provides a comprehensive overview of assessment plans, it does not disclose assessment findings, interpretations or conclusions, according to Betty Harper, assistant vice provost for assessment.
"We are confident that these enhancements will empower our community with valuable insights into our assessment practices, fostering a culture of transparency and facilitating meaningful conversations about student learning," said Harper. "This initiative represents our unwavering commitment to advancing the quality of education at Penn State."
OPAIR invites all community members to explore the assessment transparency features on the dedicated website, Harper said, and looks forward to this initiative’s positive impact on the University's educational community.