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Assessment

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The College of Education and P-16 Integration (CEP) has designed an assessment system that promotes a culture of inquiry to guide decision-making. Data literacy and reflective practice are key elements for ensuring continuous program improvement. 

This system is anchored by a committee of qualified professionals, ensuring a timely and ongoing process of continuous improvement. You can explore further details of the process in the calendars provided below. Additionally, we have established a quality assurance system, along with a Data Summit for faculty and stakeholders, aimed at cultivating a culture of inquiry to drive continuous improvement. Don’t forget to explore the collection of assessment instruments designed to support students in the educator program at UTRGV. 

Assessment Calendar

FALL

August – Data Summit

  • Annual Data Summit is held with CEP Faculty, Content Faculty, District Partners, and Alumni.
  • Unit and program assessment data from previous academic year are released via Power BI.

September – New Data Collection Cycle Begins

  • Unit and program data collection for the present academic year begins.
  • Programs collect assessment data throughout the year (as many times as deemed appropriate by the program/department.)

October – Reporting

  • Faculty record findings of previous AY data in the Institutional Annual Assessment Report via Planning and Self-Study by Watermark.

Fall Advisory Committee Meeting

  • Data is shared with advisory committee members, which include district and community partners for discussion and input on program improvement.

SPRING

January – Data Collection Continues

  • Unit and program assessment data collection continues for the present academic year.

Spring Advisory Committee Meeting

  • Data is shared with advisory committee members, which include district and community partners for discussion and input on program improvement.

April

  • CAEP Annual Report due in AIMS.

SUMMER

Annual Assessment Plan Evaluation

  • CAEP Annual Report due in AIMS.

Quality Assurance System

The EPP implements continuous improvement throughout its assessment system to ensure operational effectiveness. Data are collected at both the initial level and advanced level programs, although at the advanced level, assessment plans have been developed that are appropriate to address the advanced standards. At both levels, data are collected on candidates to determine how well candidates are achieving EPP goals and learning outcomes and the extent to which they are effective in the field. These data are used to drive continuous improvement efforts. The mechanisms that foster this include data summits, annual assessment reports, the CAEP Task Force, and the EPP Assessment Committee. 

The top three ovals (Candidate Quality/Effectiveness, Co-Constructive Clinical Experiences Quality, Quality of Completers) represent data collected at both levels. Data are collected on candidates to determine how well candidates are achieving EPP goals and learning outcomes, and the extent to which they are effective in the field. These data help to inform co-constructed clinical experiences with stakeholders. In turn these data are also used to develop program improvements which result in candidates providing quality teaching or education services upon graduation. Data that are collected from completers are used to inform changes in how clinical experiences should be implemented. Similarly, data from clinical and field experiences inform modifications to each of the programs. 

This cannot be achieved without actionable and quality assessments that are valid and reliable which are used to assess the above outcomes in (1) Candidate Quality/Effectiveness, (2) Co-constructed Clinical Experiences and (3) the Quality of Completers. Assessing outcomes allows for program review and improvement. Actions are suggested and taken into consideration through sharing data with stakeholders at departmental meetings, College Assessment Committee Meetings, Advisory Committee Meetings, and Data Summits. 

CEP Quality Assurance System