Welcome to DHSU Assessment

What is Assessment?

Academic assessment refers to the systematic process of evaluating, understanding, and improving student learning outcomes by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data on students' performance and using this information to enhance teaching, learning, and overall educational quality. Academic assessment aims to ensure that educational programs are effective and “demonstrates that […] students have accomplished educational goals consistent with their program of study, degree level, [and] the institutional mission […].” - Middle States Standard V 

The process supports a culture of continuous quality improvement, informing decisions about curriculum development, teaching strategies, and resource allocation to foster academic excellence and student success.

Academic program assessment includes analysis of both direct and indirect sources of data as well as discussion of the analyses to derive observations and plans of action. See resource list for examples.

Assessment at Downstate

SUNY Downstate’s regional accrediting body, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as well as our eight US Department of Education Recognized Program Accreditors require institutions to document and communicate how each program maintains organized, continuous and systematic assessment processes. See accreditation page for list of accreditors.

SUNY Downstate academic program leaders and faculty conduct cyclical assessment of student learning to maintain the highest standards of education for students and to facilitate ongoing program enhancements. Non-academic programs and related administrative units engage in self-assessment of their services, aligning their efforts with strategic goals in accordance with the institutional strategic plan. 

All active degree and certificate-granting programs annually assess the extent to which students achieve the program-level learning objectives in the following ways:

• • • Developing and maintaining assessment plans to assess the effectiveness of their programs,
    • Documenting their efforts in annual assessment reports,
    • Identifying assessment leaders in their department to serve as a liaison to the OACC and EOAA,
    • Sharing pertinent accreditation materials related to their program accreditation cycles