Terra Community College is committed to providing a quality teaching and learning environment for students, one that prepares them for future careers, continuing education, lifelong learning, and productive membership in the communities in which they live. This commitment to excellent teaching and effective learning is reflected in the College’s assessment of student academic achievement, which is supported by the faculty, administration, and staff.
To ensure this quality teaching and learning environment, faculty assesses student learning on many levels. For each course, faculty define learning outcomes and then measure student performance on those outcomes in a variety of ways including the use of tests, projects, papers, and a variety of other assessment measures. Faculty also defines learning outcomes for programs—skills, knowledge, and attitudes that student who complete the program should possess. These learning outcomes are then assessed in multiple courses throughout the program. Course learning outcomes are listed on syllabi and program outcomes can be found in the college catalog.
And finally the faculty has defined general education learning outcomes that are important for each student—no matter what degree he or she is pursuing. The general education learning outcomes, which reflect “the knowledge, perspective, and skills which are a part of the educational experience of all students” are
1. Communicate effectively
2. Evaluate arguments in a logical fashion
3. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural differences and the knowledge of how to work effectively in a global and diverse culture and society.
4. Employ the methods of inquiry characteristic of natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, and the arts and humanities.
5. Engage in our democratic society
These general education goals will be assessed, in part, through the development of a portfolio and the use of CAAP—the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency.
The data that comes from the assessment of student learning is used by faculty and academic administrators in curriculum and program review and to inform budget decisions.
