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Assessment & Program Review
Student Learning Outcomes Assessment (SLOA)
Mission: To review and assess student learning and facilitate continuous data-driven improvements that enhance the learning, development, and success of students in alignment with the vision, mission, and values of Cochise College.
SLOA provides a foundation for continuous, long-term, intra-programmatic improvement. It is not intended for use in making comparative or evaluative judgments across departments or programs.
SLOA Guiding Principles:
- Serves as a means for improving student learning and success.
- Defines clear, meaningful learning outcomes that are measurable.
- Provides accountability for students’ learning.
- Enhances instruction and curriculum.
SLOA Committee
The Student Learning Outcomes Assessment (SLOA) Committee is responsible for promoting a culture of continuous program improvement and facilitating data-driven improvements that enhance the learning, development, and success of students while aligning with the vision, mission, and values of Cochise College.
The SLOA Committee Charter (PDF) details the purpose, composition, duties, and processes of the committee.
Faculty Representatives
- Allied Health & Nursing
- Business & Technology
- Career & Technical Education
- First Responders
- Liberal Arts
- Math & Science
- Military Programs
Leadership Representatives
- Accreditation Liaison Officer
- Dean of Academic Affairs
- Curriculum Committee Chair
- VP Student Services
- Executive Director of Institutional Research
- Executive Director of First Responders Academy
- Director of Library Services
- Dean of Business & CTE
- Dean of Math & Science
Faculty Support Representatives
- Instructional Designer
- Assessment & Program Review Manager
- Curriculum Manager
The SLOA Committee meets monthly during the academic year on the first Friday of each month from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Meetings are hybrid, held at the Downtown Center and via Zoom.
SLOA Cycle
The 3-year assessment cycle is a process of continuous improvement that consists of the following components:
- Defined Learning Outcomes
- Curriculum Map & Assessment Plan
- Assessment
- Analysis of Assessment Results
- Comprehensive Report
Programs implement improvements, and the 3-year cycle continuously repeats.
The Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Handbook provides a comprehensive description of the SLOA cycle and timelines.
The first year of the assessment cycle is the planning year. During this year, programs create or revise curriculum maps. Curriculum maps are an important tool which provides a visual representation of the alignment between courses and Program Level Learning Outcomes (PLLOs). The mapping process ensures each PLLO is covered in the curriculum and learning progresses from introductory concepts to mastery of skills.
In Year 1, programs also create an assessment plan for the next two years. All PLLOs are scheduled for assessment in Years 2 or 3, with programs identifying assessment methods and proficiency targets for each PLLO. The assessment plan ensures each program has a clear data collection plan for the assessment cycle.
In the second year of the assessment cycle, programs collect data following their Assessment Plan and complete an interim report. In the interim report, programs provide a narrative analysis of their data.
During the final year of the assessment cycle, programs collect data following their Assessment Plan and complete a comprehensive report. In the comprehensive report, programs analyze data, identify areas of improvement, and provide an action plan and timeline for specific improvement actions. The comprehensive report ensures that the process of continuous improvement is documented and evaluated.
The first year of the assessment cycle is the planning year. During this year, programs create or revise curriculum maps. Curriculum maps are an important tool which provides a visual representation of the alignment between courses and Program Level Learning Outcomes (PLLOs). The mapping process ensures each PLLO is covered in the curriculum and learning progresses from introductory concepts to mastery of skills.
In Year 1, programs also create an assessment plan for the next two years. All PLLOs are scheduled for assessment in Years 2 or 3, with programs identifying assessment methods and proficiency targets for each PLLO. The assessment plan ensures each program has a clear data collection plan for the assessment cycle.
In the second year of the assessment cycle, programs collect data following their Assessment Plan and complete an interim report. In the interim report, programs provide a narrative analysis of their data.
During the final year of the assessment cycle, programs collect data following their Assessment Plan and complete a comprehensive report. In the comprehensive report, programs analyze data, identify areas of improvement, and provide an action plan and timeline for specific improvement actions. The comprehensive report ensures that the process of continuous improvement is documented and evaluated.
Assessment Day
Cochise College’s annual Assessment Day brings faculty and deans together to discuss student learning outcomes collectively, exchange best practices, and collaboratively plan strategies for program improvement.
Objectives
- Educate faculty on the purpose, process, expectations, and timeline of program assessment.
- Provide appropriate training to ensure all faculty have the skills and knowledge to complete assessment tasks.
- Establish a clear, actionable pathway for programs to document continuous improvement in student learning outcomes.
2025 Schedule
Cohort 1
Friday, September 5, 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sierra Vista Main Campus
Student Union
Cohort 2
Friday, September 5, 2025
12:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Sierra Vista Main Campus
Student Union
Cohort 3
Friday, September 12, 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sierra Vista Main Campus
Student Union
Academic Program Review (APR)
Academic Program Review (APR) is Cochise College’s internal process to evaluate degree and certificate programs. Through this process, programs conduct quality improvement projects and report impacts on program improvement. Program reviews must demonstrate that institutional goals, mission, and values are reflected within programs, and that programs are contributing to the greater good of the institution and community. The effectiveness of APR rests on established, sustainable processes to ensure programs remain current, maintain high-quality standards, support successful student outcomes, and effectively achieve their objectives. Within institutional procedures at Cochise College, APR holds a central role in ensuring the quality of programs and fostering an ongoing progression of program excellence.
The APR Committee is comprised of the following members:
- Executive Director of Institutional Research
- Dean of Academic Affairs
- Accreditation Liaison Officer
- SLOA Committee Chair
- Student Services Representative
- Assessment & Program Review Manager
- Instructional Designer
- Director of Marketing
- Academic Dean
- Student Retention Manager
- Faculty Representative
APR is a repeating 4-year cycle combining self-evaluation, APR Committee evaluation, and executive leadership review. There are 5 focal areas:
- Program Demand
- Student Success
- Employability/Transferability
- Program Resources
- Program Curriculum
The Academic Program Review Handbook (PDF) provides a comprehensive description of the APR cycle and timelines.
Year 1: Programs conduct a preliminary data analysis of the five focal areas and complete a SWOT analysis. This analysis provide the framework for creating two Quality Improvement Projects conducted during years 2 and 3.
APR Year 1 Report Template (PDF)
Years 2 & 3: Programs conduct a Quality Improvement Project each year that is aligned with one of the five focal areas. The project results are analyzed and evaluated.
APR Year 2 Report Template (PDF)
APR Year 3 Report Template (PDF)
Year 4: During the final year of the APR cycle, programs complete a comprehensive report. This report includes a data-informed analysis of the five focal areas, and a discussion of the two Quality Improvement Projects and how they contributed to continuous improvement.
Contact Information
|
Assessment and Program Review Manager |
Acting Dean of Academic Affairs |
