Assessment

Good teaching and student learning go hand-in-hand. It is through the assessment of student learning and achievement that GW is able to demonstrate that its students have accomplished educational goals consistent with their program of study, their degree level, and the institution’s mission, and has met the appropriate expectations of institutions of higher learning.

The process of assessment allows faculty to record progress in student learning, enabling them to communicate students’ successes and accomplishments to each other, their students, our alumni, and other important stakeholders.

While support for assessment may be found throughout the University, the Office of Academic Planning and Assessment, headed by Associate Provost Karen Froslid-Jones, coordinates and supports assessment efforts in all units on campus. These include:

• Communicating expectations for assessment to academic deans, directors, and department chairs;
• Providing support to faculty in the development of assessment plans and reports;
• Identifying and providing assessment resources and developing effective assessment structures and processes at the program, college, and university level; and
• Reviewing reports that document the assessment cycle within majors/programs and providing constructive feedback to ensure that all units meet appropriate expectations for assessment.

GW is committed to institutional self-examination and improvement. A key part of this self-examination involves assessing how well we are educating our students.