The following list of reasons to do assessment were developed by Natalie Aranda, Program Manager for Planning and Support Services in DSS. I think Natalie has really hit the nail on the head and has provided all of us with some insight to make assessment, especially Student Learning Outcomes Assessment, more meaningful for all of us. Thanks Natalie!

Thoughts on benefits of identifying, measuring, and assessing learning outcomes in the Division of Student Success
March 24, 2008

1. Emphasis and focus is back on what matters most, students (i.e. learners)
2. Encourages alignment of student support functions with the university mission, vision, and goals including those related to academia
3. Provides a mechanism for joint academic and co-curricular planning and assessment
4. Fosters understanding of the value and impact student support functions have on learning
5. Encourages staff to stay abreast of advances in knowledge and technology
6. Provides measurement results that when assessed correctly and reacted to strategically, result in cost-effective management of institutional resources
7. Provides management with accountability measurements at the individual, department, unit, and Division level
8. Provides a tool for performance improvement at the student support program and service level as well as at the individual, department, unit, and Division level