Texas A&M University Assessment Manual
Chapter 2: Developing Goals

Definition

Goals are defined as general statements about the aims or purposes of education. Goals are long-range intended outcomes written in broad, sometimes vague language.

Why are goals important in assessment?

Direct teaching and learning

Describe purposes and expected results of teaching

Serve as foundation for assessment planning

Basis for policy making and general program planning

Useful in reporting assessment results

Target

Goals are developed and written at the departmental level.

Sources of Developing Department Goals

A. In these discussions, include a variety of stakeholders (e.g., department / program heads, faculty, staff, students, and alumni).

Examples

Describe the ideal student in your department / program (i.e., his/her strengths, skills, values, etc).
Describe how the department / program’s experiences contribute to the ideal student’s development.
List the skills you expect your students to achieve.
Describe your alumni (e.g., their career accomplishments, community involvement, etc.).

B. Review department / program’s instructional materials to see if instruction matches desired learning outcomes.

Instructional materials can be sorted into three categories:

recognition / recall of factual information,

comprehension / simple application,

problem-solving / critical thinking.

Examples

Review syllabi
Review course assignments
Review course tests
Review course materials (e.g., textbooks, study guides, handouts, outside reading assignments).

C. Review documents describing your department and its programs.

Examples

Review program flyers
Review department and program brochures
Review department and program descriptions in university’s catalog / bulletin
Review university, department, and program mission statements

D. Review and discuss goals and objectives from an external unit.

Examples

Review goals from another department at your university
Review goals from a similar department at another university

Review goal statements and reduce the number of goals

Example

Reduce the number of goals by 25%

Obtain consensus within the department about the department’s goals

Examples

Administer a goals survey
Use delphi technique

Do you have programs to meet the department’s goals?

To address this question, departmental objectives must be developed.

Adapted and modified based on Ball State's: "Shaping department goals and objectives for assessment."

References

Gardiner, L. F (1989). Planning for assessment - mission statements, goals, and objectives: A guide for colleges and universities. Trenton: NJ: Office of Learning assessment, New Jersey Department of Higher Education.
Moore, D. (1992). "Shaping department goals and objectives for assessment." Assessment Workbook. Muncie, IN: Ball State University
Examples of Goal-Setting at Other Universities.
University of Illinois Student Outcomes Assessment
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Texas A&M University Assessment Manual Chapter 2: Developing Goals

Definition

Why are goals important in assessment?

Target

Sources of Developing Department Goals

A. In these discussions, include a variety of stakeholders (e.g., department / program heads, faculty, staff, students, and alumni).

B. Review department / program’s instructional materials to see if instruction matches desired learning outcomes.

C. Review documents describing your department and its programs.

D. Review and discuss goals and objectives from an external unit.

Review goal statements and reduce the number of goals

Obtain consensus within the department about the department’s goals

Do you have programs to meet the department’s goals?

Adapted and modified based on Ball State's: "Shaping department goals and objectives for assessment."

References

Return to the Assessment Manual

Texas A&M University Assessment Manual
Chapter 2: Developing Goals