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Overview

In addition to a variety of general evaluation activities, Academic and Institutional Effectiveness work encompasses four major initiatives: review of academic programs, assessment of academic program-level learning outcomes, assessment of academic institutional-level learning outcomes, and incorporation of core academic skills into degree program curricula.

The program review and program-level outcomes assessment work being done at Northern Essex Community College (NECC) is extensive, involving a large number of NECC faculty, administrators, and staff, as well as representatives of area employers and four-year colleges. The reviews follow a posted schedule, and include action plans and associated resource requests, as well as outcomes assessment plans. After assessment plans are in place, programs follow their internally developed schedules to complete assessments over time of identified learning outcomes. Each year, at all-college forums, faculty present results of their program reviews and assessment activities.

At the institutional level, assessment is focused on learning outcomes derived from the college’s five core academic skills developed in 2009. The first assessment at this level, focusing on communication skills, was piloted in the spring of 2010, with faculty across the college submitting student products for evaluation.  Each academic year, one or two additional institutional outcomes are selected for assessment.

Following the identification of the core academic skills, work began on the initiative to incorporate each of these skills into the curriculum of every degree program.  This is accomplished through a process in which courses which meet established criteria for one or more core skills are designated as “intensive” in the skill(s). 

The major goal of this website is to present and make available information relevant to all of the activities of the Office of Academic and Institutional Effectiveness.

Other Information

A general summary of the work and activities in these areas is captured in the Program Review & Learning Outcomes Assessment Newsletter–started in April 2008.

For more information or to share comments, please contact:
Ellen Wentland, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Academic and Institutional Effectiveness
978-556-3969
ewentland@necc.mass.edu.