Assessment & Academic Achievement Office

"Assessment is an ongoing process aimed at understanding and improving student learning. It involves making our expectations explicit and public; setting appropriate criteria and high standards for learning quality; systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well performance matches those expectations and standards; and using the resulting information to document, explain, and improve performance." -- (Tom Angelo, AAHE Assessment Forum)

Hocking College Assessment Plan

The assessment plan outlined in this document is designed to examine the programs and courses offered at Hocking College and ensure that these offerings are aligned with the College's Mission. This plan uses a variety of data obtained from multiple stakeholders including but not limited to students, faculty, college administration, the community, and employers. Specifically, the plan focuses on the following:

1. Technical Career Preparation and Enhancement that meet the needs of the community and prepare students for the workforce.
2. General Education courses that support technical and career education programs and that prepare students to successfully transfer to four-year institutions.

Assessment has clearly become an important part of Hocking College's academic processes. We will continue to improve the process even as we benefit from the improvements made as a result of it.

Assessment Tools and Methods

• Assessment Process
• Types of Assessment Measures
• Assessment Cycle
• Assessment Vocabulary

Institutional Assessment (IA) Rubrics

• Institutional Assessment Rubric - CE Communicates Effectively
• Institutional Assessment Rubric - PA Professional Attitudes
• Institutional Assessment Rubric - CT Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Institutional Assessment Rubric - ET Code of Ethics
• Institutional Assessment Rubric - HR Human Relations
• Institutional Assessment Rubric - MS Math Skills
• Institutional Assessment Rubric - GA Community, Cultural and Global Awareness

Success Skills and You

The Hocking College Success Skills are general, education outcomes needed on the job, at home and in the community. They are work and life skills, behaviors and attitudes that all students need to develop. Each Hocking program and discipline integrates the success skills into the curriculum and courses.

Success Skills address the areas that employers identify are needed to be successful in a career. Employers rank these skills as most important in obtaining and keeping a job as well as advancing or seeking promotions.

Hocking College is committed to helping students develop the Success Skills in classes, labs and field experiences, as well as in co-curricular activities.

The Job and You

Once you obtain a job, local, state, regional and national employers agree that your performance in the Success Skills will help you keep your job, increase your learning power, increase the number of available career opportunities, and become a life-long learner.

Success Skills

• CE - Communicates Effectively
• MS - Demonstrates Math Skills
• CT - Demonstrates Learning Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving Skills
• PA - Maintains Professional Skills and Attitudes
• HR - Practices Human Relations Skills
• SE - Knowledge of Science and the Environment
• ET - Maintains a Code of Ethics
• GA - Community, Cultural and Global Awareness

Communicates Effectively

The CE Success Skill deals with written and verbal communications skills and its subcomponents such as reading, grammar, public speaking and listening skills.

Indicators

1. Understands main idea.
2. Understands author's intent.
3. Analyzes logical development of topic and/or argument.
4. Evaluates effectiveness of written document.

In any formal communication, spoken or written, the student will include:

1. Provides an introduction.
2. States main idea (thesis).
3. Gives a logical arrangement of subtopics.
4. Fully supports and develops each point, using and documenting outside sources when appropriate.
5. Includes a conclusion.

1. Recognizes differences among audiences in attitudes, beliefs and/or levels of technical knowledge and adapts communication accordingly.
2. Recognizes differences in situations such as level of formality required, type of communication needed and adapts communication accordingly.
3. Recognizes purpose of communication.

1. Plans before writing by brainstorming, freewriting, mapping, listing, and/or outlining.
2. Prepares a preliminary draft.
3. Revises draft for organization as noted in A-2.
4. Revises draft for completeness of development as noted in A-2.
5. Edits draft for language use as noted in A-5.

(CE-5) Uses appropriate vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, spelling and/or syntax.

(CE-6) Writes effective business/ technical communications, including memos, letters and reports.

1. Recognizes and adapts to audience, situation and purpose as noted in A-3.
2. Formats documents appropriately.
3. Uses appropriate reader-centered tone and style.
4. Drafts document as noted in A-4.
5. Edits document as noted in A-5.

1. Analyzes audience's level of expertise and adapts instructions accordingly.
2. Begins instructions by listing tools and/or materials needed.
3. Calls special attention to warnings.
4. Breaks task into single steps.
5. Uses appropriate tone.

1. Adapts message to audience and purpose as noted in A-3.
2. Organizes and develops message as noted in A-2.
3. Effectively uses appropriate visual aids to enhance the presentation.
4. Speaks in a fluid, confident manner.
5. Uses appropriate vocabulary, grammar and syntax.
6. Maintains eye contact with audience.
7. Uses non-verbal expressions effectively.

1. Focuses attention on speaker.
2. Asks clarifying questions.
3. Can repeat speaker's main points.
4. Listens for speaker's feelings in addition to speaker's words.
5. Responds appropriately to speaker.

1. Establishes and maintains eye contact.
2. Observes and interprets body position and movements of others.
3. Respects appropriate boundaries of personal space.
4. Aware of and controls own non-verbals to create a positive, confident impression in workplace.

Critical Thinking

The CT Success Skill deals with solving problems by thinking them through and learning from successes and failures.

Indicators

1. Asks pertinent questions.
2. Applies effective observation techniques.
3. Gathers necessary information using a variety of primary and secondary sources and techniques.
4. Extrapolates, applies, synthesizes and integrates knowledge gained from research.

1. Identifies fallacious reasoning, and withholds judgment when evidence is inconsistent or incomplete.
2. Detects bias.
3. Analyzes own position in reaction to alternative or conflicting viewpoints.

1. Recognizes and summarizes salient points.
2. Clusters relevant data together.

1. Seeks and considers multiple possibilities.
2. Anticipates consequences.
3. Facilitates and navigates change.
4. Demonstrates a willingness to take appropriate risks.
5. Perseveres to achieve best results.

1. Considers multiple explanations.
2. Learns from mistakes.
3. Makes assertions carefully, basing them on sound logic and evidence.
4. Recognizes that failure of solution/hypothesis is part of the process not the end of persistence.
5. Engages in continuous quality improvement.

Code of Ethics

The ET Success Skill deals with honest responsible citizenship and the morals of everyday living.

Indicators

1. Adheres to established college, course, and class rules.
2. Recognizes the harm to self and others from dishonesty.
3. Exhibits honesty in communication with a good faith attempt to be truthful, accurate, straightforward, and fair.
4. Demonstrates honesty and integrity in conduct.
5. Uses core ethical values to guide actions.

1. Exercises appropriate restraint.
2. Overcomes obstacles rather than surrendering to them.
3. Honors commitments, obligations, and promises to self and others.
4. Takes responsibility for thoughts and actions.
5. Avoids blaming others.
6. Accepts consequences of choices (action or inaction).

1. Uses a principled reasoning process for ethical decision making.
2. Questions an ethical decision by asking if it is legal, right, just, not harmful, and socially acceptable.
3. Applies the positive principles of honesty, respect, fairness, support, and duty.

1. Recognizes the rights of all.
2. Protects the dignity of others.
3. Applies Hocking College Core Values.
4. Shows thoughtful concern for the interest and well-being of all.

1. Does not commit plagiarism.
2. Documents work other than own.
3. Refrains from duplicating copyrighted materials.

Global Awareness

The GA Success Skill deals with actions and behaviors exhibited locally that ultimately have a global effect.

Indicators

(GA-1) Performs professionally with internal and external stakeholders by accommodating diversity in the program and/or workplace.

(GA-2) Synthesizes, integrates, and applies knowledge of varied demographics (socio-economic factors, geographic area, gender, nationality, religious views, ethnic background, educational level, political persuasion, age, etc.) in the context of the program and/or workplace.

1. Functions with respect towards people who have ideas, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that are different from his/her own.
2. Considers perspectives of diverse groups when making decisions.

1. Apply concepts of environmental sustainability globally, by engaging in challenges and solutions within a local community.

Human Resources

The HR Success Skill deals with the skills that help you interact efficiently with other people, both on the job and in everyday life.

Indicators

1. Exhibits trusting and trustworthy behavior.
2. Exhibits confidence in self and others.
3. Recognizes the value of humor.
4. Demonstrates how and when to show empathy.
5. Exhibits the ability to keep an open mind.
6. Engages in ongoing self-assessment.

1. Participates in discussion.
2. Expresses opinions fairly.
3. Listens to others.
4. Actively participates to achieve mutual goals.

1. Takes responsibility for his/her role in the conflict.
2. Remains open to discussion and negotiation of alternative solutions.
3. Listens to others.
4. Exhibits skills to diminish conflicts in a constructive and timely manner.

Math Skills

The MS Success Skill deals with the math skills that a student will encounter both on the job and in everyday life.

Indicators

1. Adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
2. Performs order of operations (combined operations).

1. Finds approximate values.
2. Estimates answers to closest value.
3. Estimates answers before performing problem.
4. Estimates sizes, distances, and quantities.

1. Substitutes numbers for letters in a formula.
2. Calculates answer using formula.
3. Converts from one measurement to another (for example from English to Metric).

1. Simplifies algebraic expressions.
2. Solves an equation for unknown variable.
3. Finds the perimeter of a figure.
4. Finds the area of a figure.

1. Reads graphs, charts and tables.
2. Analyze graphical or tabular data to draw conclusions.
3. Constructs line graphs, histograms, bar charts, and circle graphs and tables.
4. Graphs linear equations.

1. Extracts relevant information from a word problem.
2. Translates a word problem into an expression.
3. Solves workplace application problems.

Professional Attitudes

The PA Success Skill deals with the skills that help you find and hold a job, such as job search techniques, time management, use of work technology and attendance.

Indicators

1. Researches job and employer prior to applying.
2. Follows specific agency application processes.
3. Requests appropriate job application forms.
4. Composes an acceptable cover letter and resume.
5. Demonstrates effective interviewing techniques.

1. Interacts appropriately with classmates, instructors, colleagues and supervisors.
2. Asks questions as needed.
3. Independently seeks further information.
4. Recognizes tasks to be performed and completes them (self-direction).
5. Demonstrates willingness to learn new tasks.
6. Demonstrates a positive work ethic.
7. Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability related to work assignments.

1. Performs efficiently, accurately, consistently and within expectations of career, job, and course.
2. Accomplishes skills and tasks assigned.
3. Adheres to college/work policies and procedures (including Hocking College Student Guide and Program Handbooks).
4. Arrives at job/class every day, on time and ready to work.

1. Follows chain of command.
2. Uses appropriate formal and informal lines of communication.

1. Identifies the characteristics of good leaders, supervisors and team members.
2. Uses personal strengths in leadership and team positions.
3. Provides feedback in positive and constructive ways.
4. Uses conflict resolution process.

1. Prioritizes tasks to be completed.
2. Completes tasks accurately and on time.
3. Uses class/work time appropriately.
4. Comes to class/work prepared.
5. Develops ongoing professional and personal goals.

1. Follows health and safety standards, practices, and procedures.
2. Responds appropriately in emergency situations.
3. Participates in emergency drills and training.
4. Closely adheres to established standards for security practices and procedures.
5. Identifies unsafe conditions and takes corrective action.

1. Maintains appropriate grooming and hygiene.
2. Presents an image appropriate to specific industry standards.

Science & Environment

The Knowledge of Science and the Environment Success Skill deals with learning basic scientific techniques and how to apply them to real life situations.

Indicators

1. Applies fundamental concepts governing energy and matter.
2. Applies fundamental concepts of life science.
3. Applies fundamental concepts of geoscience.
4. Applies scientific principles to technology specific processes.

1. Recognizes and applies components of scientific method.
2. Defines meaning of "theory" as used in science.
3. Applies scientific methods to evaluate problems and design solutions.
4. Recognizes and applies appropriate research techniques.
5. Distinguishes between science and quasi-/pseudo-science.

1. Applies the concept of homeostasis in all three areas.
2. Describes the interrelationship among the three areas.

1. Describes environmental influences on physical and emotional health.
2. Recognizes boundaries an organism maintains to sustain life.
3. Explains how exercise influences physical and emotional health.
4. Explains how nutrition influences physical and emotional health.
5. Manages stressful situations effectively.

1. Assesses/evaluates the roles that living and non-living components play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
2. Describes the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems and the natural environment.
3. Recognizes the impact of human activities on the natural environment.
4. Evaluates and formulates strategies to reduce negative impact of activities on the natural environment.

Courses

The following are some of the courses that will provide assessment and artifacts for the Knowledge of Science and the Environment Success Skill:

• The Human Organism - (BIOS1112)
• Human Machine - (BIOS1100)
• Environmental Science - (BIOS1101)

Co-Curricular

The following are some of the co-curricular activities that will provide assessment and artifacts for the Knowledge of Science and the Environment Success Skill:

• Phi Theta Kappa
• Smart Start Program
• Residence Hall Council
• PACE Fitness
• Ceramic Society