• Assessment is not an end in itself but a vehicle for educational improvement (larger goal)
• Assessment is a goal-oriented process, and therefore it will work best when instructors, programs and the institution itself have clearly stated goals (Linked to the mission statement).
• The assessment committee will define outcomes to be assessed with input from the wider college community. The outcomes should reflect the mission of the college.
• To be effective and meaningful college-wide assessment requires staff support to collect and analyze data.
• The outcomes of General Education are the responsibility of the faculty as a whole, not individual department.
• Begin small: Initially, assessment should focus on a minimal number of outcomes.
• Assessment should be minimally intrusive for both faculty and students.
• Assessment of student learning and development is a process that is separate from faculty evaluation.

Document created by the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes Taskforce. Presented to the Curriculum Committee in 2002 and accepted by the ASLO Committee in 2005.