CAIR

 

Center for Assessment and Institutional Research (CAIR) Welcomes You

The Center for Assessment and Institutional Research collects, analyzes, and disseminates internal and external institutional data to support policy analysis, strategic planning, decision-making, and academic and non-academic program development and evaluation.

The Department offers the following options:

    Tools


    The Center utilizes several approaches to evaluation including:

    • Institutional Research
    • Student Outcomes Assessment
    • Program Review

    Institutional Research

    The institutional studies and quantitative data processed and maintained by the Center facilitate:

    • Fulfillment of government-mandated periodic reporting
    • Compliance with legal and institutional accountability guidelines
    • Assistance with accreditation procedures
    • Support for improvement efforts toward accomplishing the universities' mission
    • Reports for proposals, grants, or fundraising purposes
    • Internal and external consultation on institutional assessment and research
    • International institutional research consultation, upon request.

    Outcomes Assessment
     
      
     

    The center uses nationally standardized and locally developed tests and other measurement tools to evaluate core educational outcomes and academic values described in the Assessment Plan.

    MSSU outcomes assessment strategies target:

    1. Institutional efficacy, through research and assessment of:
      1. School, department, and core curriculum programs, and
      2. Academic and developmental outcomes of graduating seniors

    2. Students' views and attitudes, and their expectations and ratings of academic programs and student services, in order to:

      1. Enhance student satisfaction and engagement, and
      2. Ensure student retention and degree completion
    3. Ongoing relevant information conducive to institutional research.

    Program Review

    The Center coordinates Academic Program Reviews in cycles of departmental program evaluation.

    As a result, a trend of program changes developed over the last decade:

    1. Linkages to state goals and regional accreditation criteria,
    2. new courses developed specifically for core education,
    3. core curriculum, including infusion of international issues in the curriculum, viewed as responsibility of all faculty,
    4. higher standards and expanded requirements,
    5. tighter curricular structure,
    6. involvement of faculty and students in community service,
    7. mission  accountability.

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