Definitions - Archive 2/09/09
De Anza College
Student Learning Outcomes
Adopted 2/09/09 by the Academic Senate
Student Learning Outcomes Purpose Statement
The purpose of Student Learning Outcomes is to establish and institutionalize cyclical
processes and procedures developed and driven by De Anza faculty and staff to define
and assess specific observable characteristics or outcomes that demonstrate evidence
of
learning that has occurred as a result of a specific course, program, activity, or
process.
Student Learning Outcomes Defined
Student Learning Outcomes are overarching, clear, and assessable statements that
identify and define what a student is able to do at the successful completion of
a specific
course, program, activity, or process. These outcomes may involve a combination of
knowledge, skills/abilities, and/or attitudes that display behavioral evidence that
learning
has occurred at a specific level of competency. Learning outcomes require a shift
in
perspective from what is taught to what is learned.
The ongoing assessment of learning outcomes is for the purpose of promoting and
enhancing student learning and improving institutional and program performance. The
ongoing assessment of learning outcomes is specifically linked to the De Anza College
planning and budget process. See the Academic Senate position paper for more information.
Service area outcomes purpose
The ongoing assessment of Service Area Outcomes is for the purpose of promoting and
enhancing student success and improving program and institutional performance. The
ongoing assessment of Service Area Outcomes is specifically linked to the De Anza
College program review and the planning and budget processes.
service area outcomes defined
The De Anza faculty, staff, and administration work in concert to define and assess
Service Area Outcomes that are overarching, clear, and assessable statements that
identify and define what a student or client is able to know, do, or feel at the successful
completion of a specific program, activity, or process. For more infornation see draft comparison of SLO's and SAO's.