Educational Outcomes Assessment

Institutional Research

What are students learning in college?

With the rising costs of higher education, this is a question that is being asked by parents, prospective students, government agencies, and accrediting bodies. Understanding that this is a valid question, colleges and universities are engaging in the process of outcomes assessment. The focus of this process on assessing student learning rather that solely assessing teaching effectiveness represents an important shift in educational philosophy.

The umbrella purpose is to provide evidence that students at Bucknell University are learning in our curricula and that institutional policies and resources are appropriately supporting the mission of the institution. In practice, however, outcomes assessment is meaningless unless the information learned is applied to future institutional decisions. The completion of the outcomes assessment process is the continual improvement of the unique experience of a Bucknell University education.

The most valuable information to determine the quality of a Bucknell education comes from outcomes assessment within our academic departments. The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment has worked with the faculty of the academic departments in developing assessment plans to prepare for Bucknell's accreditation visit by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Related Links:
Bucknell University Assessment Plan (.pdf)
Academic Departments Assessment Plans
Administrative Departments Assessment Plans (.pdf)
Assessment Updates
Assessment Resources 
Goals and Educational Outcomes