Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

As a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredited institution, each program is required to identify Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for each program. The main function of assessing Student Learning Outcomes is program improvement.  

In early Spring 2015, committees for the different programs in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley College of Education and P-16 Integration (CEP) were developed with the responsibility of streamlining and aligning various program components. This included program student learning outcomes, program admission criteria, coursework sequence, field experiences and clinical components. The committees developed student learning outcomes capturing general goals of legacy institution programs with the understanding that these would be revisited and revised during the following academic year.  

The procedures outlined below will be followed in the College of Education and P-16 Integration to develop and assess Student Learning Outcomes effective Spring 2016.  

1. Each program must have a minimum of 3 Student Learning Outcomes which must be developed under the guidance of program coordinators with input from all program faculty.
   1. In programs with multiple specializations, faculty from each specialization will develop additional Student Learning Outcomes. Program coordinators should work in conjunction with specialization coordinators, who in turn need to solicit input and participation from specialization faculty in the development of Student Learning Outcomes.
2. Program Student Learning Outcomes must be aligned to professional and/or state standards.
3. Program Student Learning Outcomes should be listed in program course syllabi.
4. Course objectives should be aligned to program Student Learning Outcomes.
5. Program Student Learning Outcomes can be revised by program faculty so long as revisions are data-based.
   1. Revisions to Student Learning Outcomes should be forwarded to the corresponding department chair for review, who will in turn forward the revised Student Learning Outcomes to the Associate Dean of Assessment and Accreditation for review by the College of Education and P-16 Integration Assessment Committee. Finally, revised Student Learning Outcomes will be forwarded to the Associate Deans for Undergraduate and Graduate programs.
6. Each program will identify a lead faculty member responsible for gathering, analyzing, and disseminating assessment data to engage program faculty in reflection pertaining to student performance in each Student Learning Outcome.
7. SLO data and analysis will be reported both in the Fall and Spring via College of Education and P-16 Integration’s Data Review and Reflection Template. Institutional Student Learning Outcome assessment reporting will occur once a year every October.