General Education Assessment

Policy 1.17
Approved by:	President
Responsible Officer:	Provost and Senior Vice President for academic affairs
Responsible Office:	Academic Affairs
Originally Issued:	12/29/1994
Last Revision:	05/05/2023
Category:	Academics
Related Policy
SD BOR Policy 2:7 Student Code of Conduct
SD BOR Policy 2:11 Assessment
SD BOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.1-8.7

I. REASON FOR THIS POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to describe the rationale and procedures related to the assessment of South Dakota Board of Regents general education goals and learning outcomes at Dakota State University.

II. DEFINITIONS

1. Assessment. A systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development. (Source: AAC Guideline 8.7 General Education)
2. General Education. Curriculum defined to develop learners’ general knowledge, literacy, skills, and competencies which equip students for success with advanced curriculum, program and major completion, and career competencies. (Source: BOR 2:7)
3. Learning Outcomes. Defined as the gaining of knowledge in cognitive and content competencies, skills, and social-emotional competencies associated with academic learning. (Source: BOR 2:7)

III. STATEMENT OF POLICY

Dakota State University complies with the general education requirements set forth by the South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR). Courses approved for general education meet the learning outcomes established by the BOR for their respective goal areas. It is the policy if Dakota State University to assess students’ outcomes on the general education component of the curriculum on an annual basis to determine if the general education goals have been met and to make and implement a plan to improve student learning for any areas of deficit. The goals for the system-wide general education are defined in BOR policy 2:7 General Education Requirements.

1. System General Education Goals. Faculty teaching general education courses shall assess student proficiency in six system general education goals:
   1. GOAL #1: Students will write effectively and responsibly and will understand and interpret the written expression of others.
   2. GOAL #2: Students will communicate effectively and responsibly through listening and speaking.
   3. GOAL #3: Students will understand the organization, potential, and diversity of the human community through study of the social sciences.
   4. GOAL #4: Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the arts and humanities.
   5. GOAL #5: Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.
   6. GOAL #6: Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.
2. General Education Area Assessment Plans. Faculty in each of the six general education areas shall develop assessment plans to measure student proficiency in the system learning outcomes for their respective disciplines. Each plan shall include, but is not limited to, components pursuant to SDBOR AAC Guideline 8.7.

Exclusions

This policy does not apply to graduate degree programs.

Exceptions

NA

IV. PROCEDURES (MAJOR)

1. Faculty from each general education goal area will develop a plan to meet the student learning outcomes connected to its area.
2. General education assessment activities identified in the plan will be completed per the DSU Assessment Handbook.
3. The Academic Assessment Coordinating Committee shall review the general education assessment plan and findings annually.
4. General education assessment findings will be reported annually to the BOR in compliance with BOR Policy 2:11 (D.2.1) and Academic Affairs Council (AAC) Guideline 8.7 General Education Assessment Reporting.

V. RELATED DOCUMENTS, FORMS AND TOOLS

Assessment Handbook

VI. POLICY HISTORY

Adopted: 12/29/1994

Revised: 10/14/08

Revised: 05/05/2023