Goals in Outcomes Assessment

Summary

This article will describe how to use goals in the context of outcomes.

Internal and External Goals

Outcomes assessment goals can come from two different sources.

External goals are set by an organization outside your institution that your institution is measured against. External goals, also referred to as standards, can come from these sources:

• Federal government

• Regional accreditation bodies

• State licensing boards

• Government agencies

• Professional organizations

Internal goals are set by your institution and its constituent departments to gauge student learning as a means to measure academic program viability, institutional effectiveness, and demonstrate accountability to internal and external stakeholders.

Classifying Goals in Blackboard

Goals are organized by sets, categories, parent goals, and child goals.

• Goal sets: Represent the collection goals for a particular unit within an institution

• Categories: Represent the subsequent collection of goals within the set

• Parent Goals: Broad goal statements

• Child Goals: Supportive and detailed statements supporting specific requirements to meet the broader parent goal