Assessment

At SJSU, assessment is defined as an ongoing, transparent, deliberate and evidence-based process that aims to measure, evaluate, understand and improve student learning as well as foster a culture of inquiry and reflection at all levels of SJSU: courses, programs, colleges and the institution.

Assessment is a key driver in advancing SJSU's strategic plan, Transformation 2030. It helps ensure that both academic and co-curricular programs are continuously improved, aligning with the university's mission, vision and goals. 

By systematically evaluating and refining these programs, SJSU can better support student development, learning and academic excellence. This process not only helps to meet the needs of the diverse student body but also demonstrates the university's commitment to high quality and accountability to students, parents, educational community, employers, and the public. 

Through rigorous assessment, SJSU can showcase its progress and effectiveness, reinforcing its role as a leading institution dedicated to fostering student success and community engagement. 

Program Assessment

Program assessment is essential for evaluating how well students are meeting the intended learning outcomes of a program.  

With the direction and support of the Director of Assessment, Dr. Priya Raman and the Assessment Facilitators, our department Assessment Coordinators and faculty assess our academic programs by submitting Annual Assessment Reports (as detailed in University Policy S17-11 [pdf]), which help inform and prepare departments for their Program Planning processes.  

SJSU faculty and staff:  Please visit our Institutional Effectiveness Resources site for Assessment for additional support and information related to assessment plans, program learning outcomes, and Nuventive.

Co-Curricular Assessment

With the direction and support of the Director of Co-Curricular Learning, Educational Equity and Assessment, Dr. Lezlee Matthews, the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) spearheads the university's co-curricular assessment processes with the goal of capturing a holistic view of students' educational experiences, inside and outside the classrooms. 

Additionally, the DSA supports student success by embedding equity centered assessment principles in their work, aligning their work with the university's strategic plan, Transformation 2030, and promoting a culture of inquiry, reflection and collaboration between the Student Affairs and Academic Affairs divisions to establish a systemwide supportive infrastructure.  

SJSU faculty and staff:  Please visit our Institutional Effectiveness Resources site for Co-Curricular Assessment for additional support and information.

General Education Assessment

General Education (GE) assessment is focused on evaluating how well students are achieving the GE learning outcomes as outlined in the University Policy F24-1 [pdf].  

The General Education Program's program goals, program learning outcomes and area learning outcomes are designed to establish a strong educational foundation and equip students with the knowledge skills and values they need for a lifetime of intellectual and personal growth.

With the direction and support of the Director of General Education, Dr. Kathleen McSharry, our GE Coordinators and faculty assess our GE learning outcomes as detailed in the General Education Guidelines - 2022 [pdf].

SJSU faculty and staff: Please visit our Institutional Effectiveness Resources site for GE Assessment for additional support and information.

Please visit our Institutional Research and Strategic Analytics for data, information, research and dashboards specific to SJSU as well as California State University (CSU) systemwide.