Reporting
Anthology Planning replaced WEAVE as SMU's strategic planning software in Spring 2023.
For each of the dozens of departments and divisions on campus, we use the Program Level Assessment method. As a part of regular strategic planning, faculty from each department determine a set of key Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) specific to their degrees, minors or credit-bearing certificates. They then assess the extent to which students achieve those learning outcomes, review the results of that assessment and plan strategic and continuous improvement. Departments also have Program Operational Objectives (POs) such as rankings, post graduation job search results, admission to graduate programs, and number of faculty or students. The assessment report should serve as a living historical document tailored to show the good work and continuous improvement efforts undertaken by the program.
The Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness (IPE) recommends a phased approach to completing the annual assessment report throughout the academic year:
- Plan: Review and/or update program mission statement, program learning outcomes, program operational objectives and their associated measures and targets.
- Do: Collect data for the program learning outcomes and program operational objectives being evaluated.
- Check: Review results and reflect on findings for the program learning outcomes and program operational objectives being evaluated.
- Act: Establish and implement action plans for unmet targets, and provide a status update on the previous year's action plan(s).
The annual deadline to complete program assessment reports in Anthology Planning is July 31st.