Administrative Assessment

Administrative Assessment

Administrative Assessment embodies the Higher Learning Commission's 4th Guiding Value,  "A culture of continuous improvement”, which states, 

A process of assessment is essential to continuous improvement, and therefore a commitment to assessment should be deeply embedded in an institution’s activities. Assessment applies not only to student learning and educational outcomes but to an institution’s approach to improvement of institutional effectiveness.

Supported through guidance and review by the Office of Institutional Assessment and Accreditation (UAA), administrative departments, offices, and functional units at ATU have two assessment processes for improvement in professional practice:

Academic support units complete annual (July 1 - June 30) assessment following a standard assessment cycle. Units are required to enter their plans into the Weave assessment management system by the end of the cycle. These plans support the unit’s comprehensive program review.

To improve professional practice, academic support units are asked to complete an in-depth self-study review every five to seven years following the guidelines of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). 

Founded in 1979, the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) is the pre-eminent force for promoting standards in student affairs, student services, and student development programs. CAS creates and delivers dynamic, credible standards, guidelines, and Self-Assessment Guides that are designed to lead to a host of quality programs and services. CAS aims to foster and enhance student learning, development, and achievement. (CAS, 2023)

CAS. (2023, March 23). About CAS. Retrieved from Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education: https://www.cas.edu/

SharePoint: Resources to support administrative assessment processes can be found in the Administrative Assessment Resources SharePoint folder (login with your ATU credentials required). 

Additional Resources:

  • Annual Assessment Plan Training for Academic Support Offices - Video from August 2021 staff training
  • Weave Help for faculty and staff.
  • CAS Class: The UAA office offers "CAS Class", an online course in Blackboard and Weave, to assist units in completing a self-study and five-year action plan. The class starts in January and July and is completed in 18 weeks.  A course is also available starting in May for 15 weeks. The UAA office coordinates with units to register for the course. For more information about CAS Class and CAS review, please contact the UAA office. 

Flyer for CAS Class

For further information or personalized assistance with assessment processes, please contact the ATU Assessment office at assessment@atu.edu.