Characteristics of Effective Student Learning Outcomes

Adapted by Nancy Bostrom, Macalester College

Description

S:  Specific.  The outcome must clearly specify the audience.

M:  Measurable.  The outcomes can be measured through quantitative or qualitative methods, or can be observed.

A:  Ambitious, yet Attainable.  The outcome allows students to grow and learn, and expectations are suited to the needs of the learners, the intervention, and any constraints.

R:  Results-oriented.  The outcome is focused on what students should be able to demonstrate.  Use active verbs to clarify the learning you hope students will achieve, or how you hope students will develop.  The outcome should be specific enough to provide a sense of the intervention required to help students meet your expectations, and specific enough to provide guidance for assessment.

R:  Relevant.  The outcome must be aligned with the institution’s mission and/or the Division’s or Department’s mission statement or purpose.  In addition, students should understand why it’s relevant or important.

T:  Time-bound—The outcome should specify the timeframe involved, e.g. by the end of the session; by the end of this year’s program; be the end of four years in the program, etc.

Adapted from: Henning, G. & Roberts, D. (2016). Student affairs assessment:  Theory to practice.  Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

Examples:

The parts of the example that relate to the parts described above are marked in color and between symbols:

Key:

• ◭Specific◮
• ▣Results-oriented▣
• ▷Time-bound◁

1. ▷Upon completion of the FaCE project◁, ◭all participants◮ ▣will be able to write an effective assessment report▣.
2. ▷Upon completion of the FaCE project◁, ◭all participants◮ ▣will be able to articulate assessment’s role within  course and curriculum design▣.