Assessment at Mohave College

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are provided to help guide students to focus their attention on key concepts and build metacognitive awareness, which research has consistently shown improves student success. When students know what they are expected to learn and why it matters, they are better able to self-monitor and engage meaningfully within their studies.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) represent the comprehensive knowledge and skills students should master upon completing a program. Program learning encompasses everything a student must master to complete an academic program. All programming is designed with the end in mind and should include a Program Assessment Plan of how Mohave College as an institution will measure the program’s effectiveness.

These outcomes:

• Integrate learning across multiple courses.
• Align with industry and career readiness.
• Reflect on what students will know or be able to do when they complete the program.
• Demonstrate student readiness for career or further education.

Course Student Learning Outcomes

Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) are specific, measurable skills and knowledge that students should acquire by the end of each course. These are the same outcomes for all courses in the designated prefix (i.e., ENG 101), no matter the modality, faculty, or course section. 

SLOs for Courses will:

• Define what students should know and be able to do after completing the course.
• Align with industry and transfer requirements.
• Guide the development of assignments and assessments.
• Provide clear expectations for student achievement.
• Allow for meaningful measurement of student learning.

At Mohave College, we assess student learning primarily through course key assessments. Our approach includes, but is not limited to:

• Faculty use their professional expertise to develop specific criteria for measuring student performance.
• Common rubrics allow consistent evaluation across different course sections.
• Regular analysis of student performance helps identify patterns of strengths and weaknesses.
• Faculty discussions of assessment results lead to improvements in teaching methods, course design, and use of technology.

Mohave College is dedicated to educational excellence and student success through data-informed practices. We are committed to providing students with the best possible learning experiences to support their educational and career goals.  In support of this commitment, we:

• Regularly collect and evaluate evidence of student learning.
• Use this data to enhance our programs and courses.
• Demonstrate program quality to prospective students, accrediting bodies, and other stakeholders.
  
  

Student Learning Outcomes are assessed annually at both the program and course levels to ensure that educational benchmarks are being met effectively. At the course level, this assessment is conducted through the Course Assessment Report (CAR). The CAR allows faculty to evaluate how well students are mastering the CSLOs across different sections of each course. By analyzing the data from these reports, faculty can identify both the strengths and weaknesses in their instructional methods, pedagogy, and curriculum. This reflective process enables them to determine actionable steps for improvement based on their findings. CARs are compiled after every term and submitted to the Assessment Committee for review and feedback every October.

At the program level, the assessment involves collecting data from key assessments within courses that align with the PSLOs. This data helps faculty examine student mastery of these outcomes at various stages throughout the program. Through this comprehensive analysis, faculty are able to make informed, data-driven decisions that positively impact student achievement within the program. Overall, this dual-level assessment process ensures that both teaching effectiveness and student learning are continuously improved. Program Assessment Reports (PARs) are submitted to the Assessment Committee for review and feedback annually in May of the academic year. Program assessment data is compiled and included in the 3-year Program Review.

The assessment committee promotes, supports, and monitors the institution’s assessment activities in an effort to continuously improve student learning.  In doing so, we will: 

• Identify and select appropriate measurement and assessment tools for the Assessment Committee and for evaluating academic SLOs.
• Ensure alignment with Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Criteria.
• Incorporate an equity perspective into committee processes. 
• Facilitate communication and coordination for annual reporting activities.
• Develop accessible repositories that promote transparency.
• Monitor and support ongoing continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Establish a standardized model of assessment across relevant departments.

View Committee Proceedings