Assessment plays a very important role in achieving the enhancements envisioned in the strategic plan. An examination of where the Institute is currently with respect to where it wants to be makes it possible to institute appropriate programs and processes that will bring it there. Also, systematic evaluation of the progress made toward meeting the goals is needed to know what has been effective and what needs to be changed so that the desired goals will be achieved. Assessment, therefore, if done well, can contribute significantly to institutional improvement.

Several external forces are also driving us towards assessment of student learning and institutional effectiveness. State legislatures nationwide are expecting greater accountability from academic institutions, and professional and regional accrediting agencies, including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, are requiring assessment as part of the accrediting process.

Middle States requires that institutions carry out assessment of student learning that “...demonstrates that the institution’s students have knowledge, skills, and competencies consistent with institutional goals and that the students at graduation have achieved appropriate higher education goals.”  (source)

It also requires that institutions periodically undertake a more comprehensive assessment of their overall effectiveness in meeting their mission and goals. A written assessment plan for examining the implementation of the strategic planning process; efficient uses of resources, and existence of appropriate administrative structures and leadership is expected.

The faculty and staff at Pratt will show our commitment to assessment by developing an assessment program that reflects our values and uniqueness. Assessment will be undertaken at Pratt in order:

• To improve teaching and learning and administrative services and processes by providing feedback to determine how improvements can be made;
• To inform faculty and other decision makers of the contributions of the academic and administrative programs;
• To prove to students, faculty, staff, and outsiders what the accomplishments of the programs.
• To support Institute-wide activities such as program review and strategic planning, as well as external accountability activities such as accreditation.

Reasons for Assessment

• Assessment encourages a systematic examination of student expectations (our goals) and the learning experiences (our curriculum and co-curricular opportunities) that we offer. This assures that the curriculum and other services are current, and that students are profiting from their instruction and experiences at Pratt.
• Assessment provides verification of the effectiveness of our learning community for external constituencies.
• Some types of assessment can directly enhance teaching/learning effectiveness.
• Assessment provides information for resource decisions and for strategic planning. Determination of program strengths and challenges leads to an identification of curriculum and/or resource needs fro program improvement (additional faculty, equipment, support funds, etc.). A well-done assessment program can serve as the strategic plan for the unit.