Using Quality Benchmarks for Assessing and Developing Undergraduate Programs

by Dunn, Dana S.; McCarthy, Maureen A.; Baker, Suzanne C.; Halonen, Jane S.; Maki, Peggy

• ISBN13: 9780470405567
• ISBN10: 0470405562
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-12-21
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Praise for Using Quality Benchmarks for Assessing and Developing Undergraduate Programs"This welcome volume provides discipline-friendly, carefully crafted frameworks for focusing faculty and staff on the dimensions that matter to student learning and institutional effectiveness." -George D. Kuh, Chancellor's Professor and director, Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research"A welcome contrast to narrow, mechanical views of assessment, this volume provides a comprehensive model for academic program improvement. Readers will find a powerful framework, flexible tools, and a human touch that brings the whole process to life." -Pat Hutchings, former vice president, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching"Comprehensive in its scope, detailed in its research and analysis, practical in its examples and recommendations, this book provides a refreshingly developmental approach to program assessment and improvement." -Timothy Riordan, associate provost, Alverno College

Author Biography

Dana S. Dunn is a professor of psychology and director of the Learning in Common Curriculum at Moravian College. The author or editor of numerous books, he serves on the editorial boards of several journals.

Maureen A. McCarthy is a professor of psychology at Kennesaw State University. She previously served as the associate executive director for the Office of Precollege and Undergraduate Programs at the American Psychological Association.

Suzanne C. Baker is a professor of psychology at James Madison University, where she also serves as assistant department head in psychology. She has authored several book chapters and articles on teaching.

Jane S. Halonen is professor of psychology and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of West Florida. She is the author of Your Guide to College Success.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Peggy Maki

Preface

About the Authors

Introduction: The Case for Quality Benchmarks

The Need for Quality Benchmarks in Undergraduate Programs

Benchmarking for Eight Key Program Domains

The View from the Top: Checking the Climate and the Leadership of a Program

First Things First: Attending to Assessment Issues, Accountability, and Accreditation

The New Architecture of Learning Design: Focusing on Student Learning Outcomes

Evaluating Curricula

Student Development: Solving the Great Puzzle

Constructively Evaluating Faculty Characteristics

Back to Basics: Program Resources

The Art, Science, and Craft of Administrative Support

Benchmarking in Practice

Benchmarking Quality in Challenging Contexts: The Arts, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Programs

Special Issues in Benchmarking in the Natural Sciences

Conducting a Self-Study

Serving Our Students and Our Institutions

Using Benchmarking to Serve as an External Reviewer

Sources of Data

Assessment Materials for the Arts

Disciplinary Accrediting Organizations for Bachelor's Degree Programs Currently Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

References

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.