Assessment Plan

Data collected within the programs is organized into two categories: Performance of Candidates and Performance of Program Graduates (undergraduate and graduate). A description of the types of data collected in each of these areas follows.

Performance of Candidates

There are three types of data collected on the performance of candidates in the program: Objective Tests, Authentic Application Assignments, and Clinical Observations/Evaluations.

    * Objective Tests: Measure students' acquisition of factual knowledge and rudimentary application of concepts and skills. Examples of objective tests include multiple choice and short answer and essay tests.

    * Authentic Application Assignments: Class assignments in which students demonstrate knowledge and skills required in professional settings. Examples of application assignments include case presentations, clinical assessment reports, clinical treatment plans, assistive technology demonstrations, and evidence-based practice summaries.

    * Clinical Observations/Evaluations:  Evaluations of students’ clinical performance completed by clinical supervisors, in on-campus and externship sites. Supervisors rate students on their acquisition and demonstration of the specific knowledge and skills required in practicum settings and developed in alignment with professional accreditation standards.

Performance of Bachelor’s Degree Program Graduates

Data regarding the number of bachelor’s degree recipients, the number of completed surveys, and completion rates for the department are collected annually.

Performance of Master’s/AuD Program Graduates

There are three types of data collected on graduates of the Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, and Deaf Education programs: Alumni Survey, Employer Evaluation of Alumni, and Praxis exam scores.

    * Alumni Survey: Completed by students completing graduate programs in audiology, speech-language pathology, and Deaf Education. Graduates are asked to rate the content of each course taken in the program using a Likert scale ranging from Not important to Essential. Graduates also answer open-ended questions about the usefulness of the seminars and practica.

    * Employer Evaluation of Alumni: Data collected on graduates during the induction year. This evaluation has three parts. The first part asks the employer to rate the teacher's preparedness in sixteen areas. The second part asks the employer to compare the teacher to other staff members with the same position and experience. The third part is an open-ended format with questions eliciting perceived strengths and weaknesses, recommendations, and additional comments/concerns.

   * Praxis Exam: In order to become ASHA certified, all graduate students must take and pass an ETS Praxis examination in their area of expertise (e.g., speech-language pathology, audiology). The department keeps a record of Praxis pass rates.