Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

UAFS empowers the social mobility of its students and the economic growth of the River Valley through exceptional educational opportunities and robust community partnerships. 

Our focus is on teaching and learning. UAFS faculty have clear expectations for student learning. Every credential specifies program learning outcomes (PLOs) that are measured to determine ways in which to improve student learning. Findings based on assessment outcomes are used in curriculum improvement, planning, and resource allocation.

 

Student Learning Vision

• Graduates who possess and can demonstrate the university learning (general education) competencies and the learning outcomes for their academic programs.
• An academic community that is passionate about student learning and knowledgeable about the processes that are in place to ensure learning outcomes.
• Faculty who examine and persistently discuss which styles, strategies, experiences, and tasks are best for improving learning in a diversity of students.
• Students who share the responsibility for and demand active engagement in their own learning from the moment they step onto the UAFS campus.
• Real connections between classroom learning and the workplace that result in program-specific, real-world experiences that effectively prepare students for the world beyond academics.
• Graduates who embrace change, welcome diversity, and are engaged enthusiastically in lifelong learning and who have the ability and desire to transfer those skills to the workplace and community.
• High-quality programs with national reputations that draw students from all over the United States.
• Faculty, staff, and students who are equal, active partners involved in the learning process and who share responsibility in achieving student competency.

The academic programs plan their assessment activities each year and then report their outcomes. The milestone for submitting assessment plans for the year is October 1. The milestone for submitting assessment reports for the year is April 1 for PLO reports and May 1 for University Learning Outcome (ULO) reports. (Please see the ULO section for more information on ULOs.)

The Committee for Assessment of Learning Outcomes-Academic (CALO-A) receives the PLO reports, reviews them using a standard rubric, and provides feedback to the academic programs. The CALO-A co-chairs review the ULO reports and give feedback using a shared rubric. ULO assessments and improvements guide student learning in general education competencies.

The CALO co-chairs write a report summarizing the ULO assessment data and submit it to the Provost by July 1. The Five-Year Report Chart lists the annual timeline for assessment and CALO-A report preparation. The report contains explanations of the following:

• Assessment data and analyzed results from half of a program’s PLOs
• Assessment data and analyzed results from the shared ULO for that year
• Challenges that lead to plan modifications, which would serve as examples to others