Assessment
Our Definition of Assessment
Assessment is the ongoing, systematic collection and analysis of data that is used to document the state of student learning relative to faculty-defined learning outcomes and expected institutional achievements and which informs decisions that lead to the improvement of teaching, learning, and student success.
Shared Values:
We identify the following shared values with regards to the importance of assessment. We believe that assessment is...
- Is everyone’s responsibility and provides the opportunity to self-assess and make improvements.
- Guides the discovery of how well students are learning and how learning might be further enhanced as an integral part of the educational process.
- Provides accountability to students, parents, taxpayers, and business and industry to attain and maintain high quality standards.
- Informs short and long-term decisions to improve instruction and aligns with HCC’s strategic plan and budget.
- Takes place at the course/competency, program, and institutional level and encourages the consideration of meaningful, measurable data that can fit everyone regardless of location, modality, general education, or career and technical.
- Includes the combination of external benchmarking with similar institutions, internal comparison of progress toward our targets, and compliance with requirements from outside entities.
Learning Goals and expectations
Highland Community College has 5 Gen Ed Divisions: Humanities and Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural and Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Written and Oral Communication. Each Division has identified General Education (Gen Ed) Division Learning Goals.
Students who complete a Humanities and Fine Arts General Education requirement course should be able to:
- HFA GEDG 1 - Identify Arts and Humanities across geographic locales, cultural movements, and/or historical periods.
- HFA GEDG 2 - Evaluate Arts and Humanities across geographic locales, cultural movements, and/or historical periods.
- HFA GEDG 3 - Categorize Arts and Humanities across geographic locales, cultural movements, and/or historical periods.
- HFA GEDG 4 - Appraise an experience within Arts and Humanities.
Students who complete a Mathematics General Education requirement course should be able to:
- M GEDG 1 - Perform computational skills.
- M GEDG 2 - Solve equations and inequalities.
- M GEDG 3 - Graph equations and functions.
- M GEDG 4 - Apply modeling concepts.
Students who complete a Natural & Physical Sciences General Education requirement course should be able to:
- NPS GEDG 1 - Make observations of natural phenomena and draw conclusions using scientific methods.
- NPS GEDG 2 - Explain and apply everyday phenomena in terms of basic scientific concepts.
- NPS GEDG 3 - Explain and critique scientific information.
Students who complete a Social & Behavioral Science General Education requirement course should be able to:
- SBS GEDG 1 - Explain proper uses of data, methodologies, and theories as they pertain to the student’s field of study.
- SBS GEDG 2 - Summarize aspects of the history and structure of the student’s field of study.
- SBS GEDG 3 - Identify facets of the diversity of the human experience and associated ethical considerations as it applies to the student’s field of study.
Students who complete a Written and Oral Communication General Education requirement course should be able to:
- WOC GEDG 1 - Create a writing or speech for a specific purpose and audience.
- WOC GEDG 2 - Employ appropriate format for citing and listing sources.
- WOC GEDG 3 - Appropriately critique their own and others’ spoken or written work.
These outcomes are assessed through a variety of in-course measures which align individual course and program competencies to each general education learning outcome. Student learning is also assessed in some programs through external licensure and credentialing examinations.
A student who completes at least 45 general education/transfer credits at Highland Community College should demonstrate the following competencies:
The ability to gather information appropriately, to make effective oral presentations, and to write with a clear purpose and a mastery of writing technique.
The ability to understand and apply mathematical reasoning to interpret information, solve non-routine problems, and draw valid conclusions based on data.
The ability to locate, identify, and evaluate information from a variety of sources and to use basic technological functions as required in a discipline-specific context.
The ability to recognize and evaluate one’s own intercultural sensitivity, awareness and attitudes.
The ability to evaluate information, evidence, arguments, and theories and the contexts in which these are presented and to analyze different and competing perspectives.
The ability to recognize and critique fine art and philosophical perspectives and to participate in the arts as a means of becoming more creative and of seeking life-long self-fulfillment.
The ability to analyze and apply social science theory and research to describe, explain and predict human behavior, cultures, and interactions.
The ability to apply scientific methods, concepts, and theories to test hypotheses, conduct experimental procedures, and make conclusions supported by the results.
Graduating students in each program should be able to do the following:
- Prepare, sand, mask, paint, and clear coat customer vehicles.
- Demonstrate proper time management, according to industry standards.
- Communicate repair procedures and project details to customers in a professional manner.
- Properly dispose of thinners, reducers, paint, and waste materials.
- Inspect and determine overall engine and vehicle condition.
- Properly use the diagnostic procedure.
- Use correct service information and document repairs.
- Exhibit proven work ethic and soft skills.
- Utilize proper communication techniques and exhibit professionalism.
- Pass MOS certifications in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access.
- Understand basic business finance.
- Obtain the CompTIA A+ certification by successfully passing the CompTIA A+220-1001 exam with a minimum score of 675, and the CompTIA A+ 220-1002 exam with a minimum score of 700.
- Obtain the CompTIA Network+ certification by successfully passing the CompTIA Network+ N10-007 exam with a minimum score of 720.
- Utilize proper communication techniques and professionalism within a given scenario.
- Install cylinder liners and set liner protrusion.
- Identify electrical schematic components.
- Inspect and service basic fuel supply components.
- Pass ASE tests Entry Level-Medium/Heavy Truck-
- Diesel Engines
- Brakes
- Steering and suspension
- Electrical/Electronic systems
- Perform all work and installations while observing electrical safety.
- Understand and explain Ohm’s Law and the Theory of Electricity.
- Facilitate the installation of residential electrical systems.
- Facilitate the installation of commercial electrical systems.
- Understand and implement the National Electrical Code requirements on all electrical installations.
- Pass the MOS Certification in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
- Develop, organize, and apply file project management.
- Organize and analyze blueprints.
- Demonstrate, apply and explain CAD and related technologies.
- Work under the supervision of physicians.
- Perform administrative services.
- Perform clinical duties such as patient intake and care, routine diagnostic and recording procedures, administration of medication.
- Provide an environment that is safe and reduces risk of harm for client, self, and others.
- Use leadership skills that support the provision and coordination of care.
- Interpret soil lab results and prescriptions.
- Perform various soil sampling techniques.
- Communicate prescription recommendations to an area agronomist in relation to best management processes and profitability.
- Research a Precision Agriculture topic and clearly communicate results.
- Pass all AWS bend tests to standard.
- Pass AWS state certification for 1F, 2F, 1G, 3G, and 4G.
- Identify and interpret blueprints.
Instiutional-level Common Learning Outcomes (CLOs) are called Shared Performance Expectations (SPEs) at Highland Community College:
- SPE 1: Be Competent at Your Work: Know your area of work or study; consistently perform to expectations; use constructive feedback to improve.
- SPE 2: Communicate Effectively: Demonstrate the ability to create and understand messages -- in written, oral, or visual form.
- SPE 3: Respect Others: Show respect for other people and the environment; be open to perspectives different than your own; treat people and the environment with courtesy.
- SPE 4: Make Good Decisions: Apply critical thinking processes -- examine assumptions, gather relevant and reliable data and information; make decisions based on evidence.
- SPE 5: Act Responsibly: Within your role at HCC, meet your commitments and be accountable for your own behavior and performance.
- SPE 6: Work Effectively on Teams: Contribute productively -- as a leader or a member of a team.