MSCHE/ACOE Self Study

Assessment of Student Learning (MSCHE 14)

Professional (OD) Program 2.3. Each student’s achievement of curricular outcomes is assessed. Assessment of Student Learning at Course Level Assessment of student learning with respect to curricular objectives occurs continuously and at all levels of the program. Knowledge-based aspects of the previously discussed Competencies and Attributes for Optometrists Graduating from the State College of Optometry, State University of New York (Appendix A- 4) are mapped onto the curriculum (Appendix B-26). Course learning objectives are informed by the expectations set forth in this document, and students are assessed with respect to these learning objectives. At the course level, assessment of student learning occurs through:  Written examinations  Papers  Oral presentations  Class participation (particularly in small group learning environments such as laboratories and integrative seminar)  Performance in practical pre-clinical examinations  Evaluations of clinical performance by clinical instructors  Oversight of progress by educational facilitators  Student course evaluations  Dean’s surveys and meetings with classes and class officers  Case driven integration examination in third year As discussed in sections 2.6 and 2.7, learning objectives and methods of assessment are included in course syllabi, which are posted on Moodle. Hard copies of syllabi are available on campus. A central component of the optometry program is the development of clinical skills that enable the student to participate in patient care. Student attainment of these skills is continuously and rigorously evaluated in the laboratory portion of the four-semester Optometric Theory and Procedures course. To achieve a passing grade in each semester of this sequence, a student must pass practical examinations. Additionally, the student must pass a comprehensive practical in the middle of the second-year spring semester prior to being granted privileges to examine clinic patients during the remainder of that semester (Strategic Plan Goal 1.2). A large portion of student clinical education occurs in the UEC where students render care under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. This is a complex environment for assessing students in that there are multiple instructors, an unpredictable mix of patient conditions and the need to constantly make time to draw out the student in order to assess his/her clinical decision making strategy.

32