OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

Health BS

Goal
Improve Health Content Knowledge
Improve content knowledge within the Health BS program.

Objective
Health Content Knowledge
Students in the Health BS program will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level positions in the field.

Indicator
Health Content Evaluation
The purpose of this indicator is to assess students' content mastery competencies by using multiple-choice, short-answer, and other questioning methods/techniques developed by the faculty. Students must achieve a score of at least 70% on all tests and other content related competencies.

Criterion
Health Assessment
At least 80% of students in the program will achieve a score of 70% on all assignments, projects, and tests comprising the indicator. Once the assessment of Content Knowledge in Health is completed, a program average for that assessment will be compiled. This average will be compared to the standard (70%) to determine the success in achieving the competencies.

Finding
Assessment Results
Health Content Knowledge was assessed. The program average for the 2008-09 academic year year was 88%. 80% of students in the BS Health program achieved the target score of 70% on all tests, content specific assignments, and projects. While the results exceeded the desired minimum, there is room for improvement in Health Content Knowledge.

Action
Analysis Of Content Knowledge
The results of the assessment of Health Content Knowledge were favorable, and exceeded the desired minimum level. After a review of the findings, the program faculty have decided that continued emphasis will be placed upon the application of Health Content Knowledge. Each course content will be reviewed annually by the department curriculum committee to be sure that professional standards and relevant content to the field are included.

Goal
Improve Communication Skills
Students in the Health BS program will improve their communication skills.

Objective
Effective Communication
Health BS students will demonstrate effective use of oral and written communication skills.

Indicator
Oral And Written Communication Evaluation
The purpose of this indicator is to assess students' ability to use effective communication skills.

Students in the program will be able to perform the following tasks as evidence of their improved communication skills:
-class discussions
-oral presentations
-writing assignments
data from observation of oral communication
-feedback analysis on oral and writing assignments

Criterion
80% Success Rate
At least 80% of program students will achieve the target score of 80% on all oral and written assignments comprising the indicator. Once the assessment of Improve Communication Skills in the Health BS program is completed, a program average for that assessment will be complied. The average will be compared to the standard (80%) to determine the success in achieving the competencies.

Finding
Success Rate
Communication Skills was assessed and only 75% of students in the program achieved the target score of 80% on all oral and written assignments. The results are less than the desired minimum level of 80%. Clearly, there is room for improvement.

Action
Communication Enrichment
The results of the assessment of Communication Skills showed that improvement is needed in this area. The Health faculty have decided that more emphasis is needed and should be placed on oral presentation and writing assignments. Health core courses will include at least one more mandatory oral and writing assignment so that students will gain more experience in oral and written communications.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement It was apparent from all of the findings that not all students in the Health BS program are achieving the expected outcomes of the program. Students were assessed in the areas of Health Content Knowledge and Improve Communication Skills. Although student performance was good, they did not perform in all areas above the department determined minimum level. In order to address these short-falls the Health faculty have decided that students require more opportunities to practice and apply Content area Knowledge, Communication Skills and in the overall comprehensive demonstration of Health Professional Competencies.

Changes in the curriculum would include increasing the number of required content area assignments, projects, activities performances in which various health competencies could be demonstrated by students and critiqued by the health faculty.