Student Services Learning Student Services Learning OutcomesOutcomesHandbookHandbook

Jim Haynes, De Anza CollegeJim Haynes, De Anza CollegeSSLO CoordinatorSSLO Coordinator

March, 2011March, 2011

Student Services Learning Student Services Learning OutcomesOutcomes

(SSLO)(SSLO)

SSLO statements are related to the program SSLO statements are related to the program services (outside of the curriculum) consistent services (outside of the curriculum) consistent with the program mission/purpose.with the program mission/purpose.

SSLO statements are directly related to SSLO statements are directly related to services provided to studentsservices provided to students

SSLO StatementSSLO Statement

Student Services Learning Outcome (SSLO) Student Services Learning Outcome (SSLO) statements are overarching, clear, and statements are overarching, clear, and assessable statements that identify and define assessable statements that identify and define what a student is able to know, do, or feel at what a student is able to know, do, or feel at the successful completion of a specific the successful completion of a specific procedure, activity, or service. procedure, activity, or service.

Premises of Service OutcomesPremises of Service Outcomes

• Learning take place every time a student comes in Learning take place every time a student comes in contact with a service program.contact with a service program.

• The focus is not on the services your program provide The focus is not on the services your program provide but on the outcomes of those services for your but on the outcomes of those services for your students.students.

• It’s not what you do - It’s what your students will be It’s not what you do - It’s what your students will be able to do.able to do.

SSLO Assessment Cycle SSLO Assessment Cycle Basics Basics (SSLOAC)(SSLOAC)

PHASE 1PHASE 1: As a team, identify outcomes and write an SSLO : As a team, identify outcomes and write an SSLO

statementstatement

PHASE 2PHASE 2: As a Team, assess the SSLO statement and collect the : As a Team, assess the SSLO statement and collect the

datadata

PHASE 3PHASE 3: As a team, reflect on the assessment results and on : As a team, reflect on the assessment results and on

the SSLO process & decide how to enhance your services to the SSLO process & decide how to enhance your services to

achieve better outcomes.achieve better outcomes.

PHASE 1PHASE 1: How to Identify Outcomes: How to Identify Outcomes

o As a team, write down or list the services your As a team, write down or list the services your area provides.area provides.

o Discuss the services with each other and Discuss the services with each other and group them into common areas or themes.group them into common areas or themes.

o Select groupings and draft a sentence that Select groupings and draft a sentence that describes the main outcome(s) for each one. describes the main outcome(s) for each one.

PHASE 1PHASE 1: How to Write an SSLO: How to Write an SSLOStatementStatement

Continue to dialogue and come to consensus on the Continue to dialogue and come to consensus on the concrete things that you expect students to be able to concrete things that you expect students to be able to know, do, or feel after interacting with your process, know, do, or feel after interacting with your process, activity, or service.activity, or service.

Using active verbs Using active verbs that can be assessedthat can be assessed - Write your - Write your SSLO statementSSLO statement

Double Check: Is the outcome a fundamental result of Double Check: Is the outcome a fundamental result of your service?your service?

Some Criteria for Writing Good Some Criteria for Writing Good SSLO StatementsSSLO Statements

Does the SSLO statement include active verbs? Does the SSLO statement include active verbs? (refer to Bloom’s Taxonomy)(refer to Bloom’s Taxonomy)

Can the SSLO be assessed? Is the SSLO Can the SSLO be assessed? Is the SSLO measurable?measurable?

Is the SSLO consistent with the program Is the SSLO consistent with the program mission/purpose?mission/purpose?

Will the students understand the SSLO Will the students understand the SSLO statement? statement?

PHASE 2PHASE 2: How to Assess your SSLO : How to Assess your SSLO Statement - How Do You Know?Statement - How Do You Know?

How will you assess your SSLO statement How will you assess your SSLO statement in such a way that you will know that the in such a way that you will know that the student has achieved or obtained the student has achieved or obtained the desired outcome?desired outcome?

How will you know that they know?How will you know that they know?

How will you know that they can do it?How will you know that they can do it?

How will you know what they feel about it?How will you know what they feel about it?

PHASE 2PHASE 2: ASSESSMENT: ASSESSMENT

Evidence:Evidence: Quantitative or QualitativeQuantitative or Qualitative Representative sample (25% rule)Representative sample (25% rule) You need several pieces of evidence to point You need several pieces of evidence to point

to a conclusionto a conclusion

Document & retain your evidence!Document & retain your evidence!

Assessment MethodsAssessment Methods

SurveysSurveysLocally developed or standardizedLocally developed or standardized

Attitudes and perceptions of students, staff, Attitudes and perceptions of students, staff, employers employers

Pre and PostPre and Post

Focus GroupsFocus Groups Use caution with confidentiality and privacyUse caution with confidentiality and privacy

Exit InterviewsExit Interviews In person, by Phone, E-mail, TextingIn person, by Phone, E-mail, Texting

Assessment MethodsAssessment Methods

Database-Tracked Academic BehaviorDatabase-Tracked Academic Behavior Grades, graduation rates, service usage, Grades, graduation rates, service usage,

persistence, retention, etc.persistence, retention, etc. Contact the Institutional Research Office at:Contact the Institutional Research Office at:

http://deanza.edu/irhttp://deanza.edu/ir

CumulativeCumulative Portfolios, Capstone projects, PresentationsPortfolios, Capstone projects, Presentations

Assessment TipsAssessment TipsCollect data from a representative sample rather Collect data from a representative sample rather than everyone in the target population than everyone in the target population (25% rule).(25% rule).

Have assessment stem from the activities you Have assessment stem from the activities you already do. If you already conduct student already do. If you already conduct student satisfaction surveys, embed questions related to satisfaction surveys, embed questions related to outcomes attainment.outcomes attainment.

Team up with other areas with similar outcome Team up with other areas with similar outcome statements to share assessment work. statements to share assessment work.

Design activities and outcomes with assessment Design activities and outcomes with assessment in mind.in mind.

Remember:Remember:Everyone is a learner when it Everyone is a learner when it

comes to assessment.comes to assessment.

If you wait until you are an If you wait until you are an assessment expert you’ll never assessment expert you’ll never

get started.get started.

Embrace the attitude: Embrace the attitude:

““Just Do It!”Just Do It!”

Assessment HelpAssessment Help

De Anza Institutional Research OfficeDe Anza Institutional Research Office

http://deanza.edu/irhttp://deanza.edu/ir Mallory NewellMallory Newell

newellmallory@deanza.edu

Ext 8777Ext 8777

SSLO CoordinatorSSLO CoordinatorJim HaynesJim Haynes

haynesjim@deanza.edu

Ext 8954Ext 8954

PHASE 3PHASE 3: Reflection: Reflection

In dialogue with colleagues, reflect on In dialogue with colleagues, reflect on the following:the following:Has your service outcome been met?Has your service outcome been met?

What else does the data tell you about your What else does the data tell you about your services, programs, activities, or processes?services, programs, activities, or processes?

What does the data tell you about the SLOAC What does the data tell you about the SLOAC process itself? process itself?

PHASE 3PHASE 3: Enhancement: Enhancement

In dialogue with colleagues:In dialogue with colleagues:

Based on what was learned in the SSLOAC, what can be done within Based on what was learned in the SSLOAC, what can be done within your services, activities, or processes to enhance and improve your services, activities, or processes to enhance and improve student outcomes?student outcomes?

Based on what was learned in the SSLOAC, what can be done to Based on what was learned in the SSLOAC, what can be done to enhance and improve your services, activities, or processes ?enhance and improve your services, activities, or processes ?

Based on what was learned in the SSLOAC, are there any new Based on what was learned in the SSLOAC, are there any new resources that will be needed for enhancement and improvement resources that will be needed for enhancement and improvement initiatives?initiatives?

Based on what was learned in the SSLOAC, are there any changes Based on what was learned in the SSLOAC, are there any changes you can make to the SSLOAC process itself? you can make to the SSLOAC process itself? (Revise the SSLO (Revise the SSLO statement? Choose a different assessment tool? More time to meet as a team?, statement? Choose a different assessment tool? More time to meet as a team?, etc.)etc.)

Now What?Now What?There is always something to do related to SSLOACThere is always something to do related to SSLOAC

SSLOAC is an on-going process - not an end product. SSLOAC is an on-going process - not an end product.

Multi-Year plans should be developed to conduct SSLO Multi-Year plans should be developed to conduct SSLO

Assessment Cycles every year. The goal is to have all Assessment Cycles every year. The goal is to have all

SSLOAC complete and up-to-date by the Comprehensive SSLOAC complete and up-to-date by the Comprehensive

Program Review year (next date: 2013-14)Program Review year (next date: 2013-14)

SSLOAC is the foundation of the Program Review SSLOAC is the foundation of the Program Review

process.process.

The Next StepThe Next Step

Program Level Outcomes Program Level Outcomes (PLO)(PLO)

•A PLO pulls together all of a program’s SSLO A PLO pulls together all of a program’s SSLO

statements into one comprehensive statement that statements into one comprehensive statement that

describe what the program is all about.describe what the program is all about.

The Next StepThe Next Step

Program Level Outcomes (PLO)Program Level Outcomes (PLO)Step #1: Step #1: Review all of your SSLO statementsReview all of your SSLO statements and (if applicable) and (if applicable)

your SLO statementsyour SLO statements

Step #2: Step #2: Look for a major theme or themesLook for a major theme or themes

Step #3: Step #3: Write a PLO statement that captures the essence of that Write a PLO statement that captures the essence of that

major theme or themes. (Write a PLO statement for each theme if major theme or themes. (Write a PLO statement for each theme if

appropriate.)appropriate.)

Check: Check: Does the PLO identify what a student will be able to KNOW, Does the PLO identify what a student will be able to KNOW,

DO and/or FEEL after successfully completing your program?DO and/or FEEL after successfully completing your program?

EXAMPLE from a EXAMPLE from a Tutorial CenterTutorial Center

SSLO #1 - Students will express a more positive attitude SSLO #1 - Students will express a more positive attitude towards the subject they are studying.towards the subject they are studying.

SSLO #2 - Students will use effective learning skillsSSLO #2 - Students will use effective learning skills

SSLO #3 - Students will improve their academic SSLO #3 - Students will improve their academic performance.performance.

EXAMPLE from a EXAMPLE from a Tutorial CenterTutorial Center

SSLO #1 - Students will SSLO #1 - Students will express a more positive attitude express a more positive attitude towards the subject they are studyingtowards the subject they are studying..

SSLO #2 - Students will SSLO #2 - Students will use effective learning skillsuse effective learning skills

SSLO #3 - Students will SSLO #3 - Students will improve their academic improve their academic performance.performance.

Tutorial Center PLO - After completing their participation Tutorial Center PLO - After completing their participation in the Tutorial Center, students in the Tutorial Center, students will express a more will express a more positive attitude towards the subject they are studyingpositive attitude towards the subject they are studying, , use effective learning skillsuse effective learning skills, and , and improve their academic improve their academic performanceperformance..

Assessing your PLOAssessing your PLOMethods to assess the PLO can be grouped into the following types:

Assessment results from the SSLOAC. (Once you assess all your SSLOAC you have assessed your PLO)

Pre/Post Surveys (compare what they knew, could do, or felt before they completed your program with what they know, can do, or feel after completing your program.)

Focus Groups of students that have completed a program

Thinking about the method of assessment while finalizing the Program Level Outcome statement ensures that you will generate meaningful and assessable PLO statements.

SLO EvolutionSLO Evolution

Culture of Evidence Culture of Evidence

Culture of InquiryCulture of Inquiry

OK - So What?OK - So What?

Linking your Program Level Linking your Program Level

Outcome to the College’s Mission, Outcome to the College’s Mission,

Institutional Core Competencies, Institutional Core Competencies,

and/or Strategic Initiativesand/or Strategic Initiatives

If you can not do this you have a serious problem.If you can not do this you have a serious problem.

What Problem?What Problem?

If your program does not directly (or at least indirectly) If your program does not directly (or at least indirectly)

contribute to the Mission, Core Competency, and/or contribute to the Mission, Core Competency, and/or

Strategic Initiatives, then why do we offer a program that Strategic Initiatives, then why do we offer a program that

makes no contribution to the College’s purposes?makes no contribution to the College’s purposes?

De Anza’s MissionDe Anza’s Mission

De Anza College provides an academically rich De Anza College provides an academically rich multicultural learning environment that challenges multicultural learning environment that challenges students of every background to develop their students of every background to develop their intellect, character, and abilities; to realize their intellect, character, and abilities; to realize their goals; and to be socially responsible leaders in their goals; and to be socially responsible leaders in their communities, the nation and the world.communities, the nation and the world.

De Anza College fulfills its mission by engaging De Anza College fulfills its mission by engaging students in creative work that demonstrates the students in creative work that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and attitudes contained in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes contained in the college’s Institutional Core Competencies:college’s Institutional Core Competencies:

De Anza’s Core CompetenciesDe Anza’s Core Competencies

Communication and ExpressionCommunication and Expression

Information LiteracyInformation Literacy

Physical/Mental Wellness and Personal Physical/Mental Wellness and Personal ResponsibilityResponsibility

Global, Cultural, Social and Environmental Global, Cultural, Social and Environmental AwarenessAwareness

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

De Anza’s Strategic InitiativesDe Anza’s Strategic Initiatives

• OutreachOutreach

• Individualized Attention to StudentsIndividualized Attention to Students

• Cultural CompetencyCultural Competency

• Community CollaborationsCommunity Collaborations

Mapping ExerciseMapping Exercise

• Using the three grids (Mission, ICC, and Using the three grids (Mission, ICC, and Strategic Initiatives).Strategic Initiatives).

• Check off the appropriate boxes to which Check off the appropriate boxes to which your PLO directly or indirectly contributes.your PLO directly or indirectly contributes.

• Only check boxes that are assessed through Only check boxes that are assessed through a SSLOAC.a SSLOAC.

Closing the LoopClosing the Loop

• SSLOAC PLO Program ReviewSSLOAC PLO Program Review

• Adoption of a six-year Outcomes based Adoption of a six-year Outcomes based Program Review Process supported by Program Review Process supported by annual updatesannual updates

• Master Planning CalendarMaster Planning Calendar

Closing the LoopClosing the Loop

• Current Program Review:Current Program Review:• 2008-09 Comprehensive Program Review2008-09 Comprehensive Program Review• Updated by the 2009-10 Annual Program Review UpdateUpdated by the 2009-10 Annual Program Review Update

• Recommendations on resource allocations by the Recommendations on resource allocations by the Planning and Budgeting Teams will be made using Planning and Budgeting Teams will be made using Program Review information.Program Review information.

• Be sure your Program Review is updated and Be sure your Program Review is updated and includes SSLOAC results and PLO linkage to the includes SSLOAC results and PLO linkage to the Mission, ICC’s, and Strategic Initiatives.Mission, ICC’s, and Strategic Initiatives.

Closing the LoopClosing the Loop

• Current Fiscal EnvironmentCurrent Fiscal Environment: The Program Review : The Program Review process is used to maintain resources to a program process is used to maintain resources to a program – not just a means to obtain new resources.– not just a means to obtain new resources.

• Be sure your Program Review is updated and Be sure your Program Review is updated and demonstrates how your program specifically demonstrates how your program specifically supports or contributes to statewide priorities:supports or contributes to statewide priorities:

• Basic SkillsBasic Skills• TransferTransfer• Vocational Vocational

Closing the LoopClosing the Loop

Annual Program Review Updates (APRU):Annual Program Review Updates (APRU):• Conducted in the years between CPR and due each springConducted in the years between CPR and due each spring• Criteria is established by the planning and budgeting teamsCriteria is established by the planning and budgeting teams• Criteria will always include a summary of SSLOACPLOAC Criteria will always include a summary of SSLOACPLOAC

result.result.

Comprehensive Program Review (CPR):Comprehensive Program Review (CPR):• Next CPR is due in 2013-14Next CPR is due in 2013-14• Criteria is established by the planning and budgeting teamsCriteria is established by the planning and budgeting teams• APRU will comprise a large portion of the CPRAPRU will comprise a large portion of the CPR

What is coming?What is coming?

• TracDat is a relational database that will be TracDat is a relational database that will be up and running by Fall 2011up and running by Fall 2011

• TracDat will be used to collect SSLOAC and TracDat will be used to collect SSLOAC and PLO information and generate reports.PLO information and generate reports.

• TracDat will be used to build APRU and CPR TracDat will be used to build APRU and CPR reports.reports.

• The ECMS system will be used for SLOThe ECMS system will be used for SLO

De Anza CollegeDe Anza CollegeCoordinator of Student Learning Outcomes for Coordinator of Student Learning Outcomes for

Student ServicesStudent Services

http://deanza.edu/slohttp://deanza.edu/slo

Jim HaynesJim Haynes

haynesjim@deanza.edu

408-864-8954408-864-8954