ASSESSMENT SUPPORT FUNDING REQUEST

The primary goal of the assessment support funds made available through the ISU Assessment Council is to assist programs in moving to more advanced stages of assessment activities or to enhance programs already at the mature or exemplary stage. The maximum amount available is $500 per program or office per year. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis. Award decisions will be made within three to four weeks following submission of the proposal.

  1. Using the criteria below, please indicate what stage of assessment best fits the assessment activities of your program.

    • Formative. The program/office is in the early phases of assessment: the unit may or may not have learning objectives documented; the unit has assigned assessment efforts only to an individual; assessment work has been limited to episodic activity, typically in response to external demands.

    • Emerging. The program/office is working on assessment: the unit has created learning objectives and mapped courses or activities to those objectives; the unit has identified the types of evidence to be collected and may have collected some data; assessment work involves only a couple of faculty or staff members.

    • Mature. The program/office has been working on assessment for some time: the unit has identified and is collecting evidence; there is some indication of using findings to make changes; assessment work involves multiple faculty or staff; the program/office is moving toward a culture of assessment.

    • Exemplary. The program/office has a well established and effective assessment process: assessment data are being used to refine and improve programs and activities; assessment work includes all or most of the faculty or staff members; there is clear indication of a culture of assessment.

  2. Briefly describe your proposed use of the funds, including a timeline for implementation. Specifically address how this activity will enhance your program assessment efforts. Please include a budget.

    Possible use of funds could include: faculty assessment retreat, funding towards development of a major field test, discipline-specific consultant related to assessment, mailing costs for a survey, stipend for undergraduate or graduate assistant
    (Note: Funds may not be used for a faculty stipend).

    Programs that receive funding will be required to submit a one-page report on the use of funds and progress towards enhanced program assessment within six months of award notification.

    Proposals should be submitted to Ruth E. Cain, Assessment and Accreditation Coordinator, Gillum Hall 103.

Rev. 1: 1/2010