The Skills Center Welding program conform to the policy of assessment defined by Academic Student Learning Outcomes (ASLO).  Each program and each course lists program or course student outcomes (competencies), the method of assessing these outcomes and which Academic Student Learning Outcome the assessment addresses.  The five ASLO definitions are:

1. Acquire substantive knowledge in the discipline of their choice sufficient for further study, and/or demonstrate competencies required by employers to be hired and succeed in the workplace.
2. Communicate effectively.
3. Develop quantitative literacies necessary for their chosen field of study.   
4. Think Critically.
5. Develop the knowledge and skills to be civically engaged, and/or to work with others in a  professional and constructive manner. Results of these assessments will be maintained in a department database to be reviewed periodically by faculty to improve teaching and learning.  For example, if we find that students tend to not do well in a specific area as measured by a written exam or a practical exam then we can change the teaching methods in that area.

Other assessment methods  include the use of the DACUM (Develop A CurriculUM) and periodic meetings with the Program Advisory Committee (PAC).  The DACUM process involves reviewing and recommending updates to our curriculum from industry representatives.  The PAC consists of representatives from industry, the college, and government agencies with common goals:  incremental curriculum improvement and making our students employable

Watch for reports regarding ongoing program assessments and program improvements throughout the year. 

For each program and each course, the ASLO requirements are defined as well as the associated competencies and means of assessment.  This information for the program level is duplicated here:

ASLO

Program Objectives/Student Outcomes/Competencies

Program Assessments

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1.  Students learn skills which allow them to be gainfully employed in industry.

1.  Program completers are offered employment opportunities.

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2.  Students learn skills which help them to pass welder performance qualification tests.

2.  Students are offered opportunities to become “Certified Welders” by their employers.