The Student Achievement Assessment Committee (SAAC), composed of faculty, staff and student members, oversees the implementation and advancement of assessment of student achievement and student learning at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The SAAC assessment process is focused on gathering information that will demonstrate levels of student achievement related to general education and discipline specific student learning outcomes. The SAAC assessment process is not intended to, nor structured to serve as a faculty or program evaluation.
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is committed to meaningful assessment that demonstrates student achievement levels and helps pinpoint areas where student learning could be enhanced. Our assessment projects and findings also are used to inform and comply with higher education requirements that have been set up by legislative statute; asking that we design and implement "a systematic program to assess the knowledge, capacities, and skills developed by students in academic and co-curricular programs" (HB1187, CRS 23-13-101, Article 13, passed 1985).
In addition, the accrediting body for UCCS, the North Central Association, expects that "a program of assessment of student academic achievement exists and that its usefulness be a key indicator of how well an institution" can document and improve its educational effectiveness (NCA Handbook of Accreditation, 2nd Ed., p. 42).
STUDENTS
Students may find that becoming familiar with the student learning outcomes in their major can help them understand how the work they perform in individual courses can enable them to develop skills and knowledge that will be relevant and important to their future studies or employment.
Major and stand alone Minor Student Learning Outcomes
General Education Learning Outcomes
FACULTY
Faculty may find that by integrating student learning outcomes into course planning, syllabus and student handbooks, that they will be assisting students to better understand the intent and purpose of their coursework and projects in assisting them to grow in discipline specific knowledge and skills that will be relevant and important to their future studies, employment and life-long learning. By continually reviewing your disciplines' student learning outcomes and assessment findings, you will be able to identify areas of strength and weakness in your program in a timely manner. Additionally, your case for making program, curricular changes, or requests for additional faculty to improve student learning will be well documented.