Analyzing Your Results

Step 1: Organize and Summarize

For each SLO and measure, use the following questions as a guide:

• How many students’ work did you score?
• What was the distribution across performance levels?
• How did results compare to your target?
• Are there patterns across courses or years?

Step 2: Have a Conversation

Block out time at department retreats and meetings to discuss the assessment results. Use the following questions as a guide:

Understanding the Findings

• In plain language, what did you find for each SLO?
• Were students stronger or weaker than expected?
• Were there differences across years or concentrations (if your program has them)?

Interpreting the Findings

• Why do you think students performed as they did where performance fell short of targets?
• Could this be a curricular issue or an instructional issue?

Determining What to Do

• What curricular or pedagogical changes are indicated?
• What would you need to see in the next cycle to know the change worked?

Not sure what changes to make? Contact the Harte Center for a consultation.

Step 3: Connect Findings to Changes

A strong Year 3 report names specific findings (not “results were mixed"), provides analysis, describes specific changes with a timeline for implementation, and explains how you will assess impact in the next cycle.

What If Results Are Strong?

Ask whether your target is aspirational enough. Consider whether you are measuring the right skills. Strong results on a well-designed measure are meaningful evidence of program quality. Consider retiring the measurement of strong learning outcomes in the next cycle to leave room for new ones.