ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered

February 16, 2004
Date Submitted

Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose Linkage:
Institutional Mission Reference:
Texas A&M International University, a Member of The Texas A&M University System, is committed to the preparation of students for leadership roles in their chosen profession and in increasingly complex, culturally diverse state, national, and global society … Through instruction, faculty and student research, and public service, Texas A&M International University is a strategic point of delivery for well-defined programs and services that improve the quality of life for citizens of the border region, the State of Texas, and national and international communities.

College/University Goal(s) Supported:
The mission of the Bachelor of Social Work Program is to prepare students as beginning level generalist professional social work practitioners who are committed to promoting the well being of all people. Besides emphasizing beginning level social work knowledge and skills, in keeping with the mission, the effects of injustice and oppression for people living along the border of Texas and Mexico are emphasized throughout the curriculum.

Intended Administrative Objectives:
1.    Social Work graduates will apply the values of the profession, demonstrate professional commitment, and understand the impact of issues of diversity, economic injustice and oppression on families, communities, and groups and demonstrate beginning level generalist practice skills.

3.     Graduates will acquire social work employment in a social work setting where they will satisfactorily apply their beginning level social work generalist practice skills and/or be admitted to graduate school.

 ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered

February 16, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed.  The intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.

1.     Social Work graduates will apply the values of the profession, demonstrate professional commitment, and understand the impact of issues of diversity, economic injustice and oppression on families, communities, and groups and demonstrate beginning level generalist practice skills.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
The percent of students who graduated in December of 2002 and May 2003 and pass the state licensure exam will be used to assess satisfactory performance in the social work content areas. Content areas in which students are examined include: practice, communication and relationships, utilization of practice research, human development and behavior, professional values, ethics and policies governing service, policies and procedures governing service delivery, effects of culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, and disability, and supervision, administration and service delivery.

1a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
At this time the only report we have are alumni self reports.  The State Licensing Board has not had enough TAMIU students take the exam to warrant providing a report. Of the five students who graduated in December 2002, three took and have successfully passed the state licensure exam. The fourth person is preparing to take the exam. The fifth person was admitted to the Master of Social Work Program at the University of Texas. Of students in the May 2003 cohort who were preparing to take the licensure exam, one failed it, one passed it and two others are preparing to take it. One moved out of state and was going to apply to graduate school. Several of the students who graduated in December 2003 are preparing to take the exam. One moved to Montana, a state that does not have a licensing exam for BSWs.

1a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Because the state has not provided any information on how students scored in each of the substantive areas no action is being taken until we are able to acquire this information. We will continue asking the state to furnish this information.  We have sent the state a list of students who have graduated from our program.

Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Internship evaluations including  the supervisor evaluation at mid-term and at the end of the internship. 

1b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
The following Chart are the results of the first cohort using this assessment instrument as evidence of skill acquisition in based on 10 objectives.

Table 1. Field Objective Results

*1=excels, 2=above expectations, 3=meets expectations, 4=not yet met expectations, 5=not met expectations

The results are based on Evaluations of students made by field supervisors. Although the number of participants was small the data covering the 10 field learning objectives was revealing.  In every objective the students improved their performance from their midterm evaluation to their final evaluation.  Although there was significant improvement between midterm and final evaluations, the objectives in which students could improve are 2, 7, 9 & 10.

1b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
The following areas are being examined and curriculum being assessed in order to improve performance in these areas: Human behavior, social work roles, policy, and research.

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered

February 16, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed.  Intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
ACAT assessment which covers nine social work skill areas: diversity, populations at risk, social and economic justice, values and ethics, policy & services, social work Practice, HBSE, and Research methods. The ACAT is an exam administered nationally to social work students. On a national average 68% of the scores fall between 400 and 600. Three cohorts- have taken the ACAT

2a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:

2a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
The results of the first cohort provided information needed to make curricular changes that would improve the populations at risk and research method scores.  The second cohort not only showed improvement in these areas but no score fell below 500.  On this last administration the student scores while falling within the national range of 400-600, were lower than the other two cohort scores.  On further research, the data suggests that a larger number of students in this cohort had lower GPAs than the other two cohorts.  Two changes have been initiated as a result: the use of new texts and more focus in areas in which the students made lower scores.

 
ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered

February 16, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed.  Intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.

3. Graduates will acquire social work employment in a social work setting where they will satisfactorily apply their beginning level social work generalist practice skills and/or be admitted to graduate school.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
3a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
A survey will be conducted with students graduating in May 2004 to determine the number employed in social work jobs within three months of graduation and a 2005 follow up will be made.

3a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
The instrument is currently being developed. In May there will be a total of 20 graduates, providing enough evidence to be able to demonstrate employability in the field as a measure of success.
Based on self reports 15 of the 18 graduates are currently employed in social work field. One is in graduate school at the University of Texas, another is doing a post BSW internship in Nevada and preparing to apply to graduate school, and another just moved to Montana. Of those employed several are working for the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, some are employed in one of the school districts, some are employed in mental health settings, one is employed by the Social Security Administration, one is employed by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Laredo, and two are employed in nursing homes.

3a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
This data will be used to assess the extent to which social work course content, exercises, and contextual learning contribute toward job readiness and acquisition.
Former students will be used as models and evidence of success for current students and as sources of recruitment.