Assessment of Student Learning

Assessment is the ongoing process aimed at monitoring and improving student learning by carefully looking at how learners apply knowledge by demonstrating skills and abilities.  Colleges across the country recognize that grades do not give the true picture of what students know and are able to do. Today’s assessment strategies are designed to measure the results of learning (what students can do), evaluate programs and provide the basis for improving teaching and learning processes. Assessment of student learning is also needed to maintain Moraine Park’s accreditation assuring the quality of education meets or exceeds acceptable standards set by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools.

Core Abilities

Core Abilities, as defined by Moraine Park, are transferable skills, knowledge and/or attitudes essential to an individual’s success regardless of occupation or community setting. Graduates who develop core abilities have a greater chance of success because employers prefer to hire and promote individuals who incorporate these abilities into their work performance.

All occupational programs and General Education courses integrate core abilities into their curriculum.  Moraine Park students develop these seven core abilities and are responsible for their application. The seven core abilities are:

• Communicate clearly
• Act responsibly
• Work productively
• Think critically and creatively
• Adapt to change
• Demonstrate integrity
• Work cooperatively

Career and Life Skills

Moraine Park has recently updated and is in the process of transitioning the College’s common learning outcomes from Core Abilities to Career and Life Skills. Once all occupational programs and general education courses have Career and Life Skills integrated into their curriculum, Core Abilities will be discontinued. The five Career and Life Skills are:

• Communication
• Reasoning
• Professionalism
• Engagement
• Awareness

Program Outcomes

In order to graduate from a program, Moraine Park requires students to complete an exit assessment that demonstrates their competence in stated program outcomes. Some examples of end of program assessments are: capstone projects or experiences, portfolios, internship, clinical evaluations and/or standardized tests.