2018-2020 Analysis of University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Academic Degree Programs’ Use of Assessment Results

Abstract

This report provides the use-of-assessment-results status for all academic degree programs at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), using the 2018-2020 program assessment reports submitted to the Assessment & Curriculum Support Center (ACSC). We conducted a qualitative content analysis of the 2018-2020 program assessment reports for programs that met the following conditions: 1) engaged in assessment activities during the reporting period, 2) had assessment results, and 3) used assessment results. We classified ways that programs used results into seven categories: assessment-related, course curriculum-related, program curriculum-related, resource-related, student support-related, results indicated no action needed, and celebration of results. We used a set of criteria to distinguish different levels of results-use, i.e., excellent, good, minimum, and trying. We also identified level of faculty collaboration in using assessment results. The analysis showed that the most common types of use of assessment results were program curriculum-related (64%), assessment-related (46%), and student support-related (32%). 16% of the 198 programs had a “good” level of use of results, and 22% had very high levels of faculty collaboration in the use of results. The analysis process identified excellent assessment practices undertaken by these programs. It provided recommendations for the ACSC to further meaningful use of results among academic programs through communicating our findings, showcasing excellent examples, and providing customized support for programs at different stages. The analysis can also be improved for future studies by fine-tuning the coding scheme.