Program Self-Evaluation & Assessment
Self-evaluation should be an ongoing process leading to continual improvement of a program. A transparent and reflective self-evaluation process that collects, considers, and acts on evidence helps produce prepared students, promote ongoing professional development and scholarly activities of faculty members, and strengthen the infrastructure that supports the educational mission of the program.
Program Goals and Objectives
Setion 9.1
Institutions must ensure that infrastructural support is consistent with the program goals and objectives. The chemistry faculty should implement a variety of assessment techniques and tools, providing the necessary data for making informed decisions at the classroom, course, and program levels. These decisions should lead to the implementation of practices that effectively address the needs of the students.
Student Learning
Section 9.2
Assessment of teaching and student learning should be an integral part of the institutional mandate. Programs should have established procedures to regularly assess and evaluate their effectiveness with respect to curriculum and pedagogy.12 Institutional research offices often have access to aggregate student data on preparedness, advancement through programs, and subsequent performance at four-year institutions. These offices should provide opportunities to survey students during and after enrollment.
Innovations in Instruction
Section 9.3
Ongoing assessment and continuing instructional revision improves student learning and reinforces improvements in curriculum and pedagogy. When new courses and pedagogical initiatives are developed, their effectiveness and value should be assessed. Innovation and experimentation in the educational process, coupled with a strong assessment component, should preserve the vitality of chemistry education.
12. Many institutions rely on the ACS Division of Chemical Education Examinations Institute for assessment because it provides a wide variety of tests to assess student learning while providing national norms and statistics. Other assessment instruments may also be used. (accessed Sept 12, 2015)
Assessment Tool
Use our Assessment Tool for Chemistry in Two-Year College Programs to evaluate chemistry and chemistry-based technology education within the context of the Guidelines.
