Course Assessment

How We Measure Learning and Improve Every Course

At Glen Oaks Community College, student learning comes first. Every course is designed with clear goals, consistent expectations, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Course assessment ensures that what you are learning truly prepares you for transfer, employment, certification, or continued education.

Assessment is not about extra testing. It is about making sure every class helps you succeed.

What Are Common Course Outcomes (CCOs)?

Common Course Outcomes (CCOs) are the specific skills and knowledge students are expected to gain in a course.

At Glen Oaks:

  • All full-time faculty in a discipline work together to develop or revise course outcomes.
  • If no full-time faculty are assigned, administration appoints a qualified part-time instructor to assist.
  • Every section of the same course uses the same outcomes.
  • Outcomes are measured consistently across all sections.

This ensures fairness, consistency, and academic quality across the College.

How Are Course Outcomes Developed?

Course outcomes are created or revised when:

  • A new course is developed.
  • An existing course is significantly updated.

Faculty collaborate to ensure outcomes align with:

  • Program goals
  • Industry standards
  • Transfer institution expectations
  • Certification or licensure requirements (when applicable)

This process supports the College’s mission to provide excellence in teaching and comprehensive support services

Transfer and General Education Courses

For transfer and general education courses, Glen Oaks compares outcomes with:

  • Other community colleges in the Michiana region
  • Colleges and universities where Glen Oaks students commonly transfer

This helps maximize transferability and ensures your credits align with four-year institution expectations.

Our goal is simple: your coursework should move with you.

Learn more about Transfer Options

Occupational and Career-Focused Programs

For career and workforce programs such as welding, nursing, automotive, or business:

Course outcomes are aligned with:

  • Industry standards and best practices
  • Employer expectations
  • National certifications and licensure exams

Examples may include preparation for:

  • ASE certification
  • Microsoft or Cisco certifications
  • NCLEX for nursing

This ensures graduates are job-ready and credential-ready.

Explore Workforce Development Programs

How Are Outcomes Assessed?

Assessment is built directly into instruction. In most cases, students may not even realize they are being formally assessed.

Faculty measure outcomes using:

  • Specific questions on exams
  • Lab or clinical skill demonstrations
  • Written assignments or projects
  • Capstone experiences
  • Skill-based evaluations

The goal is to measure meaningful learning, not busywork.

Assessment Is Not the Same as Your Grade

Your final course grade reflects your overall performance.

Course assessment focuses on specific essential skills or knowledge areas that faculty identify as critical for success.

For example:

  • Faculty may define a minimum performance level on a key exam section.
  • They may evaluate mastery of a required lab skill.
  • They may measure writing proficiency on a major assignment.

Assessment results help faculty identify:

  • What is working well
  • Where students may need more support
  • How teaching strategies can improve

This is part of Glen Oaks’ commitment to continuous improvement and student success

The Course Assessment Cycle

Course assessment follows a continuous improvement model.

Step 1: Determine Intended Student Learning Outcomes

Faculty define what students should know or be able to do.

Step 2: Develop Measures and Set Targets

Faculty decide how outcomes will be measured and what level of success is expected.

Step 3: Conduct Assessments and Collect Data

Faculty gather evidence from exams, projects, labs, or other assignments.

Step 4: Analyze Results and Develop an Improvement Plan

Faculty review results and identify areas for improvement.

Step 5: Implement Changes

Teaching strategies, assignments, or course materials are updated.

Then the process repeats.

This ongoing cycle ensures every course continues to evolve and improve.

Why Course Assessment Matters to You

Course assessment helps ensure:

  • Your credits transfer smoothly.
  • Your skills match employer expectations.
  • Your program meets accreditation standards.
  • Your education stays current and relevant.
  • Your instructors continually refine and improve their teaching.

At Glen Oaks, assessment is not about compliance. It is about accountability, transparency, and student-centered learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will course assessment add more exams.
A: No. Assessment is typically built into existing assignments, exams, labs, and projects.

Q: Does assessment affect my grade?
A: Your grade reflects overall performance. Assessment looks at specific learning outcomes to improve the course.

Q: Why are outcomes the same across sections?
A: Consistent outcomes ensure fairness, transferability, and academic quality.

Q: How does assessment improve my experience?
A: Faculty use assessment results to strengthen instruction, clarify expectations, and better support students.