The PRR: Linking Assessment, Planning & Budgeting

PRR Workshop – April 4, 2013

Barbara Samuel Loftus, Ph.D.Misericordia University

(2) PRR Objectives

• To determine the current status of the implementation of processes for the assessment of institutional effectiveness + assessment of student learning outcomes (Standards 7 & 14)

• To assess the extent to which linked institutional planning + budgeting processes are in place (Standards 2 & 3)

Institutional Effectiveness + Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstration of organized, documented + sustained assessment processes

• Clearly articulated institutional + unit-level goals– Student learning outcomes at institutional,

program + course level

• Implemented strategies to achieve those goals• Assessed achievement of those goals

Institutional Effectiveness + Student Learning Outcomes

• Used the results of assessments to:– Improve programs, services, teaching, + learning– Inform planning– Inform resource allocation decisions

Institutional Effectiveness + Student Learning Outcomes

• Note:– Evidence provided of assessment results– Processes + results are documented– Structures in place to ensure success– Evidence of a culture of assessment – faculty,

staff, senior leadership– Guidelines, policies, resources + support of

assessment initiatives– Communication-sharing of results

Institutional Effectiveness + Student Learning Outcomes

• Primary Context: – Standard 7: Institutional Assessment– Standard 14: Assessment of Student Learning

• Resource: “Assessing Student Learning + Institutional Effectiveness: Understanding Middle States Expectations”

Assessing Institutional Effectiveness

• Development of linkages:– Institutional Mission + Institutional Goals– Administrative Unit + Academic Program Goals

(Annual Reports; Measures of Success; Assessment Results; Budget Resources)

– Strategic Plan Goals (Performance Indicators)

Assessing Institutional Effectiveness

• Examples of Institutional Effectiveness College/University Measurements:– NSSE– Graduating Senior Surveys– Alumni Surveys– Retention + Graduation Rates

Assessing Institutional Effectiveness

• Strategic Plan Annual Review Process = oversight + tracking progress of strategic plan goals (in terms of goal achievement)

• Assessment of Key Factors in Strategic Plan:– Timely completion of action steps– Progress of quantitative performance indicators

toward goals– Achievement of financial targets– Need for changes in context of plan or

implementation

Assessment of Student Learning

• Academic Programs– Links between program goals, institutional mission

and related institutional goals, strategic plan goals + general education program

– Program learning outcomes (align course outcomes with program-level outcomes)

– Methods of assessment– Implementation of assessment plans– Use of results to improve student learning

Assessment of Student Learning

• Example: Academic Program Annual Report– Documented program assessment plan– Student learning outcomes assessment report– Anticipated changes based on assessment results– Resources (budget requests) required for

improvements

Assess Institutional Effectiveness + Student Learning

Summary Points:• Evidence of organized + sustained processes• Evidence that results are being used to

improve programs + services• Evidence that results are being used to inform

planning + resource allocation decisions

Linked Institutional Planning + Budgeting Processes

• Thorough overview + analysis of institution’s planning + budgeting processes

• Demonstration of how those processes are integrated + linked

• Evidence of key planning documents • Primary Context: Standard 2: Planning,

Resource Allocation, + Institutional Renewal

Linked Institutional Planning + Budgeting Processes

• Note:– Ongoing planning + resource allocation based on

mission + goals– Objectives developed to achieve goals– Use assessment results for institutional renewal– Evidence of strategic plan implementation +

resource allocation– Evaluation of success of strategic plan + resource

allocation as quality improvement

Budget Process Goals

• Support the Strategic Plan– Allocate resources needed to implement

successfully– Congruence of the annual budget with strategic

plan objectives + action steps

• Support Department + Academic Program Operational Needs = Annual Budget Development Process

Annual Budget Development Process

• Organization of Administrative Department/ Academic Program Annual Report– Link department/program goals to institutional

goals– Enrollment trends/ SWOT/ Student Support– 3-year forecasts – enrollment expectations,

faculty/ staff requests, expense requirements, capital needs

– Resources required for improvements based on assessment information

Linked Institutional Planning + Budgeting Processes

• Summary Points• Evidence of documented + inclusive processes• Evidence of integrated strategic, department

+ academic program plans– Ensure that institution’s mission + vision remain

central– Revenues + expenses are in proper relationship– Capital needs are defined