Assessment Methods

Assessment Methods:

  1. Senior Exit Exam (For Learning Outcomes L1 - L15).
  2. Senior Project Course (For Learning Outcomes L4, L7, L9, L10, L11, L12, L13, L14).
  3. Alumni/Employer Survey (For Learning Outcomes L1 - L15).
  4. Teacher Competency Examination - Praxis II Exam (For Learning Outcomes L1, L2, L3, L5, L14).
  5. Exit Interview Questionnaire.

Description of Assessment Methods

  1. Senior Exit Exam*: In their senior year prior to graduation, all students majoring in mathematics must pass a Senior Exit Exam. This exam will reflect the degree program's learning outcomes and include questions which address the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors summarized in learning outcomes, and will be independent of individual courses. This exam will be administered by a subcommittee of the Tenured Mathematics Faculty that is chosen by the student in consultation with the Department Chair.
  2. Senior Project Course**: In their senior year prior to graduation, all students majoring in mathematics must pass a Senior Project Course which is a faculty-directed independent research project culminating in the writing of a paper and an oral presentation of the results of the project.
  3. Alumni/Employer Survey: The department will survey graduates two to five years after graduation to determine their current educational and employment status, and their opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of the program. The department will also periodically survey employers of alumni to see if program graduates are performing successfully on the job.
  4. Teacher Competency Examination (Praxis II Exam): In their senior year prior to graduation. all students majoring in mathematics who are seeking teacher certification must take the Teacher Competency Examination (Praxis II Exam) in mathematics. Their performance on this examination will be reported in writing to the Chair of the Department of Mathematics.
  5. Exit Interview Questionnaire: In their senior year prior to graduation, all students majoring in mathematics will be interviewed by a committee selected by the Department Chairman and will complete a questionnaire to determine the degree to which the program has successfully achieved its goals and to learn from the graduates what they believe are the strengths and weaknesses of the program.

*The Senior Exit Exam is no longer being used.
**The Senior Project Course became part of the curriculum in the academic year 2002-2003.

Use of Assessment Results

As assessment findings are compiled, a faculty committee will analyze them and make recommendations regarding necessary improvements or changes in the degree programs. The committee will then submit a plan for improving the degree program's effectiveness in achieving the intended learning outcomes. Actions which may be taken include strengthening certain aspects of the curriculum, adding coursework or other requirements to the program, changing prerequisites or course sequencing, etc. as indicated by the evidence generated through assessment.