Presentation of Assessment Plan

Learning Goals, Assessment, Instruments, and Standards

ED 5016 Assignment U06a1

Destin Jennings

Capella University

Introduction:

I currently work at Strayer University, in Raleigh North Carolina. Strayer University is a private for-profit University that was founded in 1892. Stayer Universities mission statement is as follows:

"To help you obtain a valuable education that can change your life - starting the day you enroll. Four pillars serve as the foundation for every single one of Strayer University’s programs and services."

The University is accredited by, The Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Strayer University offers a number Undergrad and Grad degree programs including Business, Criminal Justice, Management, Health Service Administration, Accounting and a pleather of other degree programs. I work in the Admissions Department, where I get the chance to interview hundreds of students from all different backgrounds and educational experiences. During this process, I make decisions on whether the students will be admitted into the University. Strayer does have an open enrollment policy; therefore, I meet several students on a daily.

I say this to say, that with an open-enrollment policy, anyone, anywhere gets a chance an opportunity to apply to the University. On one hand, this is a great thing, because we give all students the chance to gain an education, that may not have had the opportunity to get one somewhere else. With that comes more job opportunities, better pay and a better chance to provide for themselves and their families.

However, on the other hand, a lot of students who are not prepared for college end up getting in, due to our open enrollment policy. What this does is decrease our student retention rates, because students will start college, but not finish. After their first few classes, a lot of them realize that it is not for them, or not what they expected. The most common reason for dropping out that I hear from my students, is that they did not feel prepared and had no indication of what to expect before applying. This is the reason for an assessment to be in place during the admissions process.

The purpose of the assessment in place is to ensure that we are enrolling quality students to increase student retention rates, as well as make sure that the student we are enrolling is prepared for their college experience and know exactly what they are signing up for.

Admissions Assessment:

During the admissions process, after the student has completed an application, they will be sent a link to complete an assessment. In this assessment it will go over not just questions about right or wrong answers, but also questions to identify the student's strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth. Overall, we want to make sure that we are placing the students in the right courses that they need and make sure that we can offer the right student support that they need as well.

Strayer is not your traditional school. The student may need more academic support or advice as well as more structure during their educational experience.

Not only will the assessment be able to help us to determine that, but also help us with retention rates. After the student completes their first quarter or semester, we can use the results for the assessment to see if the student is doing fine, or we need to find them more academic support in order to continue to be successful.

Learning Goals:

In order for the assessment to be successful, there has to be some guidelines in place and action steps to take place in order for us to be held accountable of our expectations of the students , and for us to be able to hold them accountable for their expectations. Overall, the learning goals and steps that we plan to put in action for the student to achieve according to Suskie.

Determining Learning Goals:

Rationale:

It is important that up front we determine why this student wants to go to college. What are their future career goals, who do they have for support and motivation at home? Are they looking for an actual degree or trade?

Review and evaluate the collected data:

Rationale:

The Assessment will not be set up as a pass or fail, but more of a clear picture of where the students is academically and with Thee reading, comprehension skills etc. This can help determine what courses the student needs to start with. Some may need to be in an introductory English course to get them warmed up with writing papers, thesis, research, etc.

Provide Guidelines on what is expected:

Rationale:

It is important to go over what the students will be required to do. Now this is a broad statement, but we can have the number of classes, credit hours and grades needed for the student to maintain a good academic standing and what is expected of them.

Gather Data, then discuss challenges:

Rationale:

After the assessment is done go through it with the student to see how they are feeling about it. It may determine whether they even still want to enroll.

Motivation:

Rationale:

We want to make sure to motivate them that they can do this, and we are here for support, but we also need to be sure to get their motivation as to why they are making this decision. This comes in handy if the student ever feels the need to give up, we can remind them of their motivation in the first place.

Set Reasonable Expectations:

Rationale:

College is hard so we don’t want the student to feel they have to be a genius to get in. Of course, you aren’t going to know everything, but we want you to be prepared as possible.

Assessment Instruments:

In order to determine how well or useful the assessment was, after the assessment is over, the student will have an interview with their Admissions Counselor to discuss the assessment. During this time, they will go over what the student thought of the assessment, what they would change or keep the same? Did they feel like it made them more prepared for school? Did it give them a better understanding of what college would be like?

Rationale:

With us not being a traditional University, we must understand that sometimes, we may not be the best fit for every student. For example, most of our classes are offered online, not every student can do online courses and its okay. Some student can perform well setting up thier own schedules and not actually seeing a professor face to face. Other students need that reminder or person to connect with in order to stay engaged. All of these will be determined from the interview to decide if the student is the right fit for Stayer.

Setting Targets:

Overall, we want to increase student retention rates and make sure that we are enrolling the best fit quality students for our University. The last thing we want to do is enroll students who are not prepared and don't have clear expectations of that is expected of them in college.

Rationale:

Although, this information could conclude that the student is not a fit for our University. It also can determine that the student is a fit but needs extra support that we will know from the beginning. This data can be used to assist struggling students and help them to make it to graduation and the tools to have post-graduation.

References:

“Online Colleges: Accredited & Affordable: Strayer University.” Online Colleges | Accredited & Affordable | Strayer University, 9 Oct. 2019, www.strayer.edu/.

Suskie, L. (2018). Assessing student learning: A common sense guide.( 3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.