Learning Outcomes vs Success Outcomes

Learning outcomes in Planning & Self-Study are designed to articulate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions attained by students through learning and/or co-curricular experiences.  

Outcomes in Planning & Self-Study are associated with Measures (for collecting data/ results), and Actions (for monitoring continuous improvement). 

Measure methods available for learning outcomes include:

• Assignment
• Capstone
• Exam (Certification/Licensure)
• Exam (Course)
• Field Assessment
• Performance
• Portfolio
• Presentation
• Project
• Quiz (Course)
• Completion rates
• Course evaluation
• Focus group
• Interview
• Overall course grade
• Survey
• Other

Learning outcomes allow for a full range of data collection options in Assessment Plans, including collection of measure results as follows:

•  Faculty e-mail (if appropriate files are loaded)
•  Attaching files
•  Entering counts
•  Aligning to a Learning Management System (LMS) or Watermark product

They are also part of the Smart Connection functionality accessed through Program Reviews.  This means that when a Program Review is created in the same academic year as when the learning outcome is assessed, results will appear within the Program Review as a guide for writing narrative about that outcome.

Action types available for learning outcomes include:

• Revise curriculum
• Restructure outcome statement
• Revise measurement/assessment
• Gather additional data
• Revise benchmark/target
• Implement new program or services
• Community partnership
• Modify position/personnel
• Modify policies/procedures
• Adopt or expand technologies
• Additional training
• Collaborate with another department/unit/program
• Modify physical environment
• Maintain assessment strategy
• Other

Success Outcomes enable non-academic units to capture and monitor continuous improvement efforts for internal reporting and accreditation needs, with language that aligns well, and with relevant measure types. Academic units can also use Success Outcomes to assess non-instructional program efforts such as enrollment and retention.

Measure types available for success outcomes include:

• Average Time
• Counts
• Money Raised
• Number of Applications
• Project
• Total Time
• Completion Rates
• Course Evaluation
• Focus Group
• Interview
• Survey
• Other

Data to measure the result of a success outcome can be collected via the following methods in Assessment Plans:

• Attaching files
• Aligning to Watermark Course Evaluation & Surveys product

Success outcomes are not currently part of the Smart Connection functionality accessed through Program Reviews.

Action types available for success outcomes include:

• Restructure outcome statement
• Revise measurement/assessment
• Gather additional data
• Revise benchmark/target
• Implement new program or services
• Community partnership
• Modify position/personnel
• Modify policies/procedures
• Adopt or expand technologies
• Additional training
• Collaborate with another department/unit/program
• Modify physical environment
• Maintain assessment strategy
• Other