Printer-friendly version Frequently Asked Questions
Academy Application
Academy Pedagogy
Academy Requirements
Who Should Participate in the Academy?
Application Process
Academy Costs
Required Books
What Pedagogies will the Academy use?
The Academy pedagogy will integrate theories of adult learning with active pedagogies for ongoing engagement in readings, case studies, project-based learning, problem solving, collaborative learning, role play, and simulations. Participants will use their home institutions as a context for practice and learning. In addition to a project for their own campus, each participant will evaluate the assessment practices at another institution. The Academy will blend face-to-face and on-line learning in a schedule that accommodates active professionals and eliminates excessive travel. The expertise and ideas of regional and national leaders will extend the curriculum through readings of research and in-person lectures, interactions, and one-on-one consultations.
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What will the Academy Require of Participants?
Participants should plan to spend from six to ten hours a week from mid-March 2012 to mid-January 2013 to complete Assessment Leadership Academy requirements. Initially most of that time will be dedicated to assigned readings. Participants also will complete about five homework assignments and one major project. ALA readings include major sections of about a dozen books, 20+ articles, and a variety of websites. Participants also will have the opportunity to engage in optional online interactions on the ALA website.
The Academy requirements are designed to suport participants' learning and provide evidence concerning the impact of the ALA. Certificates of Completion will be awarded to participants who satisfy all Academy requirements. The following are required:
- Completion by established deadlines of all assigned readings and assignments. Readings will include an array of journal articles, reports, monographs, and major segments of about a dozen books.
- Participation in all face-to-face meetings.
- Completion of a project on their home campus. Projects should be useful to the home campus and should be designed so they can be completed before the end of the Academy. Projects may involve one campus, or Academy participants may develop collaborative projects involving more than one institution.
- Analysis of assessment practices at a campus other than their own.
The project will include an inquiry process, literature review, timeline, resources, assessment, and dissemination. Possible projects include:
- Developing and implementing campus workshops and support for assessment
- Developing and implementing a plan for providing feedback on and support for departmental assessment efforts
- Developing or refining the assessment of General Education
- Developing a campus infrastructure that supports sustainable assessment
- Developing and implementing collaborative assessment projects with another institution
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Who Should Participate in the Academy?
Potential participants should have a commitment to:
- Develop assessment expertise
- Serve in an on-going assessment leadership role on their campus
- Complete Academy requirements, including active participation in all scheduled meetings, homework assignments, and projects
In addition, the following characteristics are highly recommended:
- Experience in assessing student learning and in campus leadership roles related to educational effectiveness
- Completion of WASC-sponsored workshops and assessment-related events, such as the Assessment Essentials and Assessment in Practice retreats, or equivalent
- At least two years full-time, professional experience within higher education
Campuses that nominate potential participants should commit to:
- Support the individual's efforts during and after the Academy
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What is the Application Process?
We anticipate admitting 30 professionals to the Academy each year and will select participants through an application process. Campuses may nominate an individual or a two-person team; applications should be forwarded with institutional approval from an administrator at the level of Provost, Chief Academic Officer, or higher. Applications are to be submitted on-line and are due by February 15, 2012.
Click here to submit your application.
What information should every application include?
The application form will ask for the following information:
- Your reasons for interest in the Academy
- Assessment experience, including a description of assessment leadership roles the applicants has played
- Description of leadership capacity and experience, such as participation in academic governance or serving as a department chair, faculty development director, or other administrator
- Relevant areas of expertise (e.g., knowledge of the assessment literature, the teaching and learning literature, national issues and controversies in higher education, statistics, research design, institutional research)
- Record of participation in relevant educational opportunities, such as ARC workshops, WASC Assessment retreats, and national assessment conferences
- Documentation of campus support and intentions for engaging the applicant in an on-going assessment leadership role from an administrator at the level of Provost, Chief Academic Officer, or higher
Applicants will be notified of acceptance by March 1, 2012. They will immediately receive curriculum materials, a schedule, assignments, and related Academy information.
Click here to submit your application.
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What are the Academy Costs?
Tuition cost is $3950 for participants from WASC region institutions and $4450 for those coming from institutions that are not WASC-accredited or are located outside the WASC region. In addition, participants will meet in person three times (dates and locations listed below) and will be responsible for their food and lodging costs.
In addition, each participant will review the assessment practices at an institution other than their own, which may require travel expenses.
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Required Books (tentative)
Required readings include all or parts of a number of books. You may already have many of these books on your campus; if you need to buy them, we estimate a total cost of approximately $300-$400.
- Allen, M. J. (2004). Assessing academic programs in higher education. Bolton, MA: Anker.
- Allen, M. J. (2006). Assessing general education programs. Bolton, MA: Anker.
- Association of American Colleges and Universities (2002). Greater expectations: A new vision for learning as a nation goes to college. Available at http://www.greaterexpectations.org/
- Banta, T. W., & Associates. (2002). Building a scholarship of assessment. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
- Bresciani, M. J. (2006). Outcomes-based academic and co-curricular program review. Sterling, VA: Stylus.
- Cambridge, D., Cambridge, B., & Yancey, K. (2009). Electronic portfolios 2.0. Sterling, VA: Stylus.
- Diamond, R. M. (Ed.) (2002). Field guide to academic leadership. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
- Driscoll, A., & Wood, S. (2007). Outcomes-based assessment for learner-centered education. Sterling, VA: Stylus.
- Kuh, G. D. (2008). High-impact educational practices. Washington, DC: AAC&U.
- Schuh, J. H., & Associates. (2009). Assessment methods for student affairs. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
- Suskie, Assessing Student Learning: A Common Sense Guide (2nd edition; 2009). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
- Tagg, J. (2003). The learning paradigm college. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
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