POLS 1 - American Government - Stage 4 - Schubert

Assessment

Assessment Methods
  • Analysis of exam, quiz, or homework items linked to specific SLOs
  • Student self-assessments (such as reflective journals and surveys)
  • Pre & post surveys or tests
Assessment DescriptionWe conducted a pre- and post- survey in each section. There were 37 sections offered, with 1426 students. The survey included both knowledge and attitudinal elements, based on course MLOs. The surveys were administered at the start of the semester and again in the last week.

Results if exam, quiz, and homework items linked to course MLOs were discussed at our 5/10/13 Program/Discipline/Course SLO meeting.

The spring data will be compared to assess the degree of knowledge and attitudinal change.
Learning OutcomesA. Demonstrate an understanding of certain generalizations about politics concerning:

3. the opportunities available to the individual by which he can influence governmental policy

B. Acquire particular information necessary for the understanding of the above generalizations, including the ability to:

1. describe the basic structure of American government

2. explain about the major policy issues facing the U.S. today, thus

demonstrating a familiarity with major political problems.

4. demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. Constitution an its historical development, including the application of civil rights and civil liberties

C. Show progress in the development of certain skills, including:

2. the ability to analyze and form judgment about political matters on the basis

of knowledge of the operation of the political system

3. the ability to analyze political issues so as to see their significance (identify

premises, value judgments, and distinguish these from empirical information).

E. Identify major political office holders.
Number of Sections37
Number of Instructors13
Number of Students~1400 pre/ ~1100

Data Analysis

Data Shared With

Instructors of the same course (at CCSF)

Data Sharing Methods
  • Face-to-face meetings
  • Email
  • Shared document files
Data SummaryPOLS1 G.Total Outcome One Two Three Four Five W.Average 1279

n=1279 One 159 287 437 189 207 3

Two 158 302 422 317 180 3.3

Three 197 328 405 198 151 2.8

Four 221 302 403 187 166 2.8

Five 295 342 338 156 148 2.6



G.Total Outcome One Two Three Four Five W.Average 1030

One 4 39 212 335 440 4.1 (+)1.1

Two 11 33 181 308 497 4.2 (+).9

Three 10 39 225 305 451 4.1 (+)1.3

Four 9 43 226 304 478 4 (+)1.2

Five 16 34 232 282 466 4.1 (+)1.4

n=1030
Analysis SummaryThe pre- and post-data were compared to assess the degree of knowledge and attitudinal change, with an increase showing assessed improvement, or a decline indicating an issue. The data indicated a moderate improvement overall across all sections, however the range of the improvements between sections was sufficiently large to indicate the results are not robust. This issue was discussed at length at the January 11, 2013 Program/Discipline/Course SLO meeting. Faculty considered survey wording, large numerical range of answers, and the impact of the change in surveyed population size from pre- to post- as potential causes of the lack of robustness. Suggestions to address the issue included combining fall and spring data to create a stronger data set to better control for range of results, as well as potential alternative assessment schemes.
Next Steps PlannedWhile we continually improve our courses as professionals, further assessments are needed as explained above and will be analyzed in the 2013-14 academic year.
Learning OutcomesRefer to previous answers.

Tentative Future Plans

TermFall 2013
Activities
  • Assessment (measurement) of outcomes
  • Analysis and discussion of assessment data and next steps
More DetailsAt our Program/Discipline/Course SLO meeting in May, we discussed the need for assessments to be more substantive in the Fall 0f 2013. We agreed that revisions and analysis of assessment data and methods would follow this effort for more substantive assessments. We agreed to develop an assessment tool focusing on the variable of power in POLS1 and in other courses as appropriate.

SLO Details Storage Location

HARD COPY - In my personal filing system (my office)

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