As with past blogs, I am incorporating the ACPA/NASPA Core Competencies. This week, I address Assessment, Evaluation and Research. Each is distinct from the other. For the purpose of this short blog, I will focus on assessment.

Ultimately we have to find ways to have an assessment framework to do our jobs rather than conduct assessment on top of our jobs. What does it mean to be an assessment oriented student affairs educator? Let’s look at some of the characteristics of professionals at different stages of competence and answer the question.

At the beginner level, one must be able to “facilitate appropriate data collection for system/department-wide assessment and evaluation efforts using up-to-date technology and methods”. An assessment oriented educator views any interaction as an opportunity to collect data. Meeting with student organization presidents over time, why not ask each of them the same question, such as “What are you dealing with in your organization?”. Good notes and analysis of these notes can reveal themes. Themes inform decisions. Using data to inform decision making is one part of good assessment.

Intermediates should be able to “prioritize program and learning outcomes with organization goals and values”. An assessment oriented educator knows the goals she/he wants to accomplish and aligns goals with that of the division and institution. Conversations with students help us collect information to know to what extent those outcomes are accomplished.  At the simplest level, taking the time to reflect on these conversations and document our observations makes existing practices assessment practices. Such practices reveal answers to our questions about what students are learning.

Those in the advanced level focus on such things as using assessment data to make strategic decisions. If you’re having the conversations and you are documenting your observations, at some point you can see if the human and fiscal resources you’re applying are paying off. Making decisions based on this data will help you to be more strategic in the services, programs and resources you provide. Assessment is a precursor to good planning.

It’s likely you’re already doing the following in your work: Having conversations, which leads to making decisions. Really, the missing piece is assessment of those conversations and the use of the assessment results to inform decisions.

How do you incorporate assessment already? What do you need to do to become more competent and confident in assessment, evaluation and research?