Student Learning Outcomes: A Frequently Asked Questions Guide for 
Student Services
Why Student Learning Outcomes?
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are a required component of the accreditation process.  All colleges must be at the “proficiency level” by 2012.  The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) have defined “proficiency” as:
• Student learning outcomes and authentic assessment are in place for courses, programs and degrees.
• Results of assessment are being used for improvement and further alignment of institution-wide practices.
• There is widespread institutional dialogue about the results.
• Decision-making includes dialogue on the results of assessment and is purposefully directed toward improving student learning.
• Appropriate resources continue to be allocated and fine-tuned.
• Comprehensive assessment reports exist and are completed on a regular basis.
• Course student learning outcomes are aligned with degree student learning outcomes.
• Students demonstrate awareness of goals and purposes of courses and programs in which they are enrolled.
Reedley College will be due for an accreditation visit in fall 2011.  Our college should be systematically assessing our student learning outcomes and making improvements to our courses, programs, and institution based on evaluation of these assessments by this date. 

What are Student Learning Outcomes?
SLOs exist at several different levels within the institution, including student services programs.  These outcomes state what students will know after using your services.  Institutional, or General Education, Learning Outcomes state what students will demonstrate upon earning their GE degree or successfully leaving the institution just as Course Learning Outcomes state what a student will know upon leaving a course.  All levels of SLOs must be assessed.

When do I assess my department?
Your department should have already determined a Program Learning Outcome(s) within the writing of their Program Review Reports.  Managers of your departments  are now determining program assessment timelines and submitting these timelines to the SLO coordinator by the end of the spring 2010 semester.  You may have been consulted in the assessment timeline decisions.   One of the key components of the SLO assessment process is the having college-wide conversations with others in your department and keeping track of these meetings (evidence of meetings need to be posted).  If you have not yet heard from others in your department, please contact them as soon as possible.  The Course/Program Assessment Timeline (found on the RC webpage under Courses and Programs) need to be submitted electronically to Eileen Apperson, SLO coordinator, by the end of the spring 2010 semester (eileen.apperson@reedleycollege.edu).  

What if I still have questions?
If you still have questions, you may refer to the Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment link on the Reedley College website.  For more direct questions, please contact the Student Learning Outcomes Coordinator, Eileen Apperson at eileen.apperson@reedleycollege.edu, or extension 3223.