Cavallo, Julia
(2020)
Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Student Learning Outcome Assessment at a Small, Liberal Arts Institution.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
This case study documents the use of improvement science to create and sustain an institution-wide assessment process and culture at a small, liberal arts institution in the mid
Atlantic region. The project began when the institution was put on warning with the regional accreditor (Middle States) for an inconsistent student learning outcome assessment process. In order to gain reaffirmation of accreditation, the institution needed to quickly adapt and change to
comply with the educational effectiveness standard. A new process needed to be centralized, systematized, and communicated to all stakeholders at the institution.
This project chronicled the journey to reaffirmation and beyond using improvement science to fuse theories from change management, leadership, and organizational culture with assessment best practices to develop an assessment process and culture. Several projects were ongoing
throughout the project with a specific test of change to pilot an assessment consultation in one academic department in order to spread and scale to other academic departments throughout the institution. The purpose of the test of change was to build assessment know-how, confidence,
knowledge, and leadership. Through surveys, a focus group, and observation field notes, the project’s findings show promise for future consultations with other academic departments for spread and scale throughout the institution. This will require continuous improvement of the assessment process overall and the assessment consultation specifically.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
7 July 2020 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
14 May 2020 |
| Approval Date: |
7 July 2020 |
| Submission Date: |
5 June 2020 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
173 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Education > Administrative and Policy Studies |
| Degree: |
EdD - Doctor of Education |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Adaptive Leadership, Change Management, Improvement Science, Student Learning Outcome Assessment |
| Date Deposited: |
07 Jul 2020 19:05 |
| Last Modified: |
07 Jul 2020 19:05 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/39195 |
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