Because teaching is a primary mission of the University of Florida (UF), evidence of student learning is a measure of our success as an academic institution. Regional accrediting agencies across the United States also require that universities provide evidence of student learning to demonstrate their effectiveness as educational institutions. Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) specify what students will know and be able to do as a result of completing their degree programs1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1 states that
the institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of improvement based on the analysis of the results in each of the following areas: education programs, to include student learning outcomes; … (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), 2011, pp. 83-84)
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are defined at UF as “what students are expected to learn by completion of their baccalaureate degree program” (University of Florida, 2011). Student Learning Outcomes at UF are organized into three broad categories: Content Knowledge, Critical Thinking, and Communication. In order to demonstrate SACS standard 3.3.1, student learning outcomes should be reviewed periodically and realigned with the evolving outcomes and expectations for students graduating from UF. Institutional Assessment provides support for university stakeholders in the development and implementation of measureable Student Learning Outcomes. This guide provides information to assist faculty and units in the development and review of Student Learning Outcomes.
What students learn in any degree program is determined by the faculty who teach the program. To ensure that the expectations for student learning are consensual and remain current with the discipline, faculty should work together to determine/review/revise the SLO’s for their programs. Each undergraduate major at UF already has an Academic Learning Compact and Student Learning Outcomes (see https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/Pages/academic-learning-compacts.aspx.) General Education SLOs are found at https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/advising/info/general-education-requirement.aspx#learning. Graduate SLOs are found on the Institutional Assessment website at http://assessment.aa.ufl.edu/resources.
-----------------------------------
1 These SLO’s are assessed as part of the Continuous Quality Enhancement process – see “Developing Individual Student Assessments” in the Continuous Quality Enhancement series.