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Tracy Spesia
Professorial Lecturer, SOE Faculty and Co-Chair, Senate Committee on Learning Assessment

Learning Outcomes and Assessment , United States

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Mission

American University’s assessment of student learning is led by a faculty committee on student learning assessment. Currently, the Senate Committee on Learning Assessment (COLA) includes members from each school/college and a Core program representative. The mission of the committee is as follows: 

  • To focus on understanding and improving student learning. Assessment is the tool that can enable a department to determine whether it is meeting its goals in student learning, but it is not the 'end' - it is a means to an end.
  • To support and facilitate assessment activities that can best improve student learning.
  • To facilitate the development of learning objectives across campus and to facilitate knowledge about these objectives.
  • To foster the collection and dissemination of assessment information.
  • To support, foster and document the appropriate use of assessment information for program improvement and promotion.

About COLA

In AY2023-2024, COLA is chaired by Tracy Spesia (School of Education). Kimberly Cowell-Meyers (School of Public Affairs) serves as the vice-chair. 

ShapeShapeEach year, the committee members support academic programs to strengthen their assessment plans and submit annual assessment reports, based upon faculty determined Learning Outcomes. . Committee members also provide feedback on the annual assessment reports. 

To learn more about the committee, please email AUlearning@american.edu.

Details can also be found on the Faculty Senate website.

We're Here to Help

Do you have questions about assessment of student learning? Need help figuring out the best assessment measures for program outcomes? Arrange for a one-on-one meeting, a group meeting, or a specialized workshop for your unit.

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