This self-evaluation is intended for two audiences: for the outside evaluators and for internal use by APRC.

I. Title Page

Include title, date, department chair, and primary author of report.

II.  Description of the Department's Role within the Institution

       A. Department's mission statement and its relationship to the college's mission                statement
       B.  Department's goals and objectives
       C.  Relationship between the department mission statement and the college's                    strategic plan
       D.  Relationship between the department mission and the general goals of the                    college
       E.  Service provided by the department to the other departments/majors

III.  Description of the Department's Current Assessment Plan

IV. Analysis of the Department's Performance

A. Student Learning

1.  
   1. Evaluate student learning as defined by the department's goals and objectives.
   2. Evaluate the department's efforts to assess student learning.
   3. Assess the effectiveness of the department's use of curricular activities outside the classroom in meeting the stated goals of the department. (e.g., service learning, internships, practica, student research, etc.)
   4. Evaluate the effectiveness of the department's efforts to ensure that its course offerings and content meet the needs of students completing a major or minor within the department and the demands of an evolving discipline.
   5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the department's efforts to ensure that its course offerings and content meet the needs of students in other majors and programs served by the department.
   6. Compare the department's curriculum and major/minor requirements with other institutions of similar size and mission.

B. Resources

1.  
   1. Evaluate how the resources at the disposal of the department are allocated to deliver the department's program.Evaluate how faculty and staff load affects the department's ability to fulfill its mission.
   2. Evaluate the department's use of general college learning resources (e.g. classroom and laboratory facilities, Dunn Library, Hawley, Career Services, Information Services, work-study and undergraduate assistantships, residence life).
   3. Evaluate the department's use of computer and information technology to meet goals and objectives.
   4. Compare the department's resources with other institutions of similar size and mission.

C. Pedagogy and Effective Teaching

1.  
   1. Evaluate the match between department goals/objectives and the teaching practices employed by department faculty.
   2. Explain how the department faculty keeps current in both the content of their discipline and the best practices of teaching within their discipline.

D. Ethical and Responsible Use of Knowledge

1.  
   1. Evaluate the methods the department employs to ensure that students understand the ethical implications of their discipline.

E. Use of Outside Agents

1.  
   1. Outline the department's use of any outside agents, including alumni or advisory boards to evaluate its program and methods.
   2. Summarize the findings and recommendations made by any such outside agents.

F. Looking to the Future

1.  
   1. List future goals for the department/program.
   2. What enrollment trends are predicted for the future and how will the department/program respond to them?
   3. Discuss how faculty and staff structure will impact future plans for the department/program.
   4. What pedagogical or content developments in your discipline merit consideration in future planning?
   5. Evaluate institutional support needed to meet departmental/program goals.
   6. Identify any changes needed in the department's assessment plan.

G. Summary of the Findings of the External Evaluation Team

V. Addendum Factual data about a department to be supplied by Registrar, Dean's Office, Financial Aid Office, DAL Office, Financial Affairs Office, Alumni Office, Career Services Office, and the department chair:

A. Courses offered

•  
  • Required courses (identified by major)
  • Cornerstone offerings
  • Competencies (if any)
  • Elective offerings
  • Service courses
  • Internships
  • Interdisciplinary courses

B. Average enrollments in courses

C. Courses with multiple sections

D. Frequency of course offerings

E. DAL offerings including summer school

F. Other offerings (programs, conferences, etc.)

G. Majors and minors offered by the department

H. Majors and minors supported by courses offered

I. Enrollments in each major by year

•  
  • General trends in enrollment over the past 10 years
  • Traditional students vs. DAL students

J. Advising loads of faculty

K. Graduates

•  
  • Number by year, major and minor
  • Trends
  • Tracking of graduates five years out

L. Current full time faculty

M. Brief resume for each faculty member

N. Ranks, dates of hire, tenure decisions

O. Adjuncts and affiliates on staff

P. Teaching loads by faculty

Q. Departmental support staff

•  
  • Status (full or part time)
  • Job descriptions

R. Work Study students

•  
  • Numbers employed by the department
  • Job descriptions

S. Budget

T. Dedicated or specialized teaching facilities

U. Special equipment

VI. Relevant Documents

A. A copy of the previous Assessment Report

B. Copies of Annual Updates to the Assessment Report

C. Report from External Evaluators

(major content revision: APRC 9-2007)