Develop a plan of action for keeping current, critically evaluating, and using research in higher education administration
Objective
Identify And Evaluate Research
Students will identify and evaluate research in the field of higher education
Indicator
HIED 5379 - Research In Higher Education
Activities in this course will emphasize how to locate and evaluate current research in the field of higher education.
Criterion
Display Adequate Skills In Identifying And Evaluating Research
80% of students completing all course activities will exhibit adequate research skills (at least a B average in the course).
Finding
89% Of Students Completed Course Activities With A B Or Higher Average
The HIED 5379 course was redesigned for Spring 2015 so new students could learn how to research topics, synthesize data, and generate recommendations for practice based on the research. 89% of students in the redesigned course completed all course activities with a B or higher average. The redesign included an Academic Community Engagement project where students selected a real-world topic to assist a client. This project will be part of the course moving forward so students can learn research skills while providing support for higher education leaders.
Action
Continue The HIED 5379 Success With Other Instructors
The redesigned course is being passed to a new instructor for Fall 2015. This new instructor has been encouraged to continue the improvements made for the course and to maintain the ACE project as a focus for the course. Follow-up will be done throughout the 2015-2016 school year to ensure this course, which all new students take, will continue preparing students for the research and writing required throughout the rest of the program.
Goal
Writing
Students will effectively communicate.
Objective
Writing
Students will effectively communicate through writing.
Indicator
Comprehensive Exam Rubric
The "Writing Style" element of our comprehensive exam rubric has 3 levels and descriptions of work in each level.
Criterion
Effectively Communicate
80% of students completing the comprehensive exam will demonstrate writing at the "acceptable" or higher level of our rubric.
Finding
100% Of Students Demonstrated Acceptable Writing
8 students took comprehensive exams in Fall 2014. All passed with at least an acceptable rating for their writing.
16 students took comprehensive exams in spring 2015. 5 had rewrites. All passed with at least an acceptable rating for their writing.
Action
Continue Focusing On Writing Early In The Program
We will continue to look for improvement in writing for comprehensive exams. With the focus on addressing writing skills with the very first course taken, we should continue to see more students obtaining acceptable ratings on their writing on their first attempt.