The Faculty Council on Academic Affairs Jo Ann Karr, Chair (j-karr@neiu.edu)

Clyde Bradley, Vice Chair (c-bradley@neiu.edu)

Timothy H. Scherman, Secretary (t-scherman@neiu.edu)

Charles Pastors (c-pastors@neiu.edu)

Mary Ellen McGoey (m-mcGoey@neiu.edu)

Anita Thomas (a-thomas7@neiu.edu)

Sharon Scott (s-scott@neiu.edu)

Mostafa Maksy (m-maksy@neiu.edu)

James R. Sprinkle (j-sprinkle@neiu.edu)

To: All College Deans, Department Chairs, Coordinators

Chairs of College Academic Affairs Committees

Date: November 15, 1999

Re: Revision of the "Program or Course Proposal Checklist"

For the past two years or more, it has become increasingly clear that the development of a coherent, well-articulated Assessment program is one of NEIU's greatest challenges and priorities. While discussions among faculty, at "best practices" workshops and in broader sponsored presentations (Alverno), have been beneficial and encouraging in this direction, mandates from the Illinois State Board of Higher Education, North Central Accreditation Board and various professional accreditation bodies indicate that we must now include specific elements in our program descriptions that articulate our assessment activities at all levels--the classroom, the program, and the institution itself--especially a vision of how our evaluation data ensures improvement of our students' performance.

Beginning January 2000 , the IBHE will no longer approve new programs or accept program reviews without a clearly articulated assessment plan. Consequent to this requirement, and in preparation of our resubmission of materials to North Central in 2001, neither new programs or new courses, or changes in programs or courses, can be approved after August 2000 without the inclusion of such an assessment component; therefore, given the realistic timetable for curricular actions, only those curricular proposals already submitted will be able to be finalized by the August 2000 deadline.

It is incumbent upon departments, then, to take the steps necessary to establish the key components of an Assessment program at the course and program level: 1) to establish a scale of measurable outcomes at the program and course level, and to articulate their relation, making clear how each course currently taught contributes to those goals or outcomes set for the program, and 2) to establish a regular method of sharing information (giving "feedback") in two directions: between the chair and department members, and between the chair and a particular college Dean.

Further, it is important that the review procedures and guidelines are in line with these new realities. Hence, the Faculty Council on Academic Affairs is circulating a DRAFT REVISION of the NEW PROGRAM OR COURSE PROPOSAL CHECKLIST to encompass the new requirements to be effective April 15, 2000. The Council invites the University community to forward comments or suggestions regarding this revision as soon as possible, but no later than February 1, 2000. All comments will be taken into consideration before establishing the final revised Checklist. The enclosed pamphlet, "Stepping Ahead: an Assessment Plan Development Guide" (Rogers and Sando, 1999) may be useful as a reference as department faculty and academic affairs committees study and recommend to the FCAA.

The Faculty Council on Academic Affairs, with the support of the Provost's office, will sponsor an Open session during January 2000 to invite discussion about the checklist revisions and what support will be needed for faculty to frame their assessment programs in technical curricular language and to aggregate assessment data to meet the new guidelines. Suggestions given by participants will be considered by the Council as we develop recommendations to the Provost.

Your representatives on the Council will be glad to discuss the checklist revisions with you. Please send your comments and specific written suggestions to Jo Ann Karr, FCAA Chair ](j-karr@neiu.edu).