ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

                                         


Bachelor of Arts with a major in History (BA)   
Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered        

July 1, 2004
Date Submitted

Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose Linkage:
Institutional Mission/Goal(s) 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 an 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.

Administrative or Educational Support Unit Mission Statement:
The College of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the provision of programs that prepare students for a variety of professional roles through enhancement of their abilities to communicate and to understand and appreciate the world through a broad-based, liberal arts education.

Intended Administrative Objectives:

1. Students completing the History baccalaureate program will compare favorably in their knowledge of History with students completing similar programs at other universities.

2. Students completing the baccalaureate program will have a broad understanding of the field of History.

3. Students completing the baccalaureate program will be prepared for graduate study.

 



ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

Bachelor of Arts with a major in History (BA)   
Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered        

July 1, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Administrative or Educational Support Objective:

1. Students completing the History baccalaureate program will compare favorably in their knowledge of History with students completing similar programs at other universities.

First Means of Assessment for Objective Identified Above:
1a. Means of Unit Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Graduating History majors will take the standardized examination, ACAT, in History.  Their average score will be equal to or greater than the average scores of students completing similar programs.

1a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected
The standardized average from similar groups of History majors = 500. The standardized average score of TAMIU History majors =446, 54 points lower than the standardized average of similar groups.

1a. Use of Results to Improve Unit Services:
The number of students taking the exam (3) is too small to use as a basis of programmatic changes. The results will be combined with future exam results until a representative sample is obtained (approximately 30 students). The History faculty will continue to monitor the outcomes of History majors.

Second Means of Assessment for Objective Identified Above:
1b. Means of Unit Assessment & Criteria for Success
Subscales on the ACAT History examination will be assessed to determine outcomes in specific areas within the History program.  The graduating History majors will not fall below the average scores on any subscale of history majors completing similar programs nationwide.

1b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Standardized average on each subscale=500; TAMIU graduating History majors scores were as follows:
U.S. 1829 to 1890=456 (44 points below the standardized average)
U.S. Colonial to 1763=417 (83 points below the standardized average)
U.S. 1890 to 1940=489 (11 points below the standardized average)
U.S. 1763 to 1820=443 (57 points below the standardized average)
U.S. 1940 to present=378 (122 points below the standardized average)
European Early Modern=454 (46 points below the standardized average)

1b. Use of Results to Improve Unit Service:
Although there was improvement in the ACAT scores from the fall of 2003, the number of students taking the exam (3) is too small to use as a justification for programmatic changes. The subscale scores of History majors will continue to be monitored until the number of scores is sufficient to use as a basis of analysis. Meanwhile, History faculty took note of the results in which scores were below the standardized average as an indicator of possible problems. The History curriculum has been revised into grouped competencies and two new U.S. chronological courses have been created, to more effectively assist students. These changes appear in the 2003-04 catalogue.

 

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR


Bachelor of Arts with a major in History (BA)   
Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered        

July 1, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Administrative or Educational Support Objective:

2. Students completing the baccalaureate program will have a broad understanding of the field of History.

First Means of Assessment for Objective Identified Above:
2a. Means of Unit Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Graduating History majors will be surveyed to gather supporting data concerning the degree to which the program provided them with a broad understanding of the field of History, using a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very well).  At least 85% of those responding will rate the program 4 or 5 on the scale.

2a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Five students graduated in the spring 2004 semester.  Of the three students who completed the survey, one rated the History program as a 5, one rated it as a 4, and one rated it as a 3.

2b. Use of Results to Improve Unit Service:
Sample numbers are too small to use for definitive conclusions.

 


ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR


Bachelor of Arts with a major in History (BA)   
Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered        

July 1, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Administrative or Educational Support Objective:

3. Students completing the baccalaureate program will be prepared for graduate study.

First Means of Assessment for Objective Identified Above:
3a. Means of Unit Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Acceptance rates in post-baccalaureate programs will be gathered.  Seventy-five percent of History graduates who pursue a post-baccalaureate program will be accepted.

3a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected
Based on student self-reporting, no History graduates applied for post-baccalaureate programs in the spring 2004 semester.

3a. Use of Results to Improve Unit Services:
No recommendations can be made at this time.

Second Means of Assessment for Objective Identified Above:
3b. Means of Unit Assessment & Criteria for Success
The number of students completing the baccalaureate program who successfully complete graduate programs will be compiled.  At least 50% of those entering post-baccalaureate programs will successfully complete those programs.

3b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Based on student self-reporting, two students graduated from TAMIU’s History Master’s program in May 2004.

3b. Use of Results to Improve Unit Service:
Number of students in the sample is too small to provide adequate basis for interpretation.