ASSESSMENT AT NICC

This site provides training and information resources to assist faculty in integrating and assessing student learning in their individual courses, at the program level, and at the college-wide (institutional) level.

Assessment is a systematic, ongoing cycle of setting goals, measuring achievement, and using evidence to inform decision-making for continuous improvement. Effective assessment promotes quality across the institution by providing actionable data to guide programmatic revisions, instructional improvements, and institutional planning.

At Northeast Iowa Community College, the purpose of assessment is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning by supporting the identification, measurement, and evaluation of student learning outcomes—those knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to student success both during enrollment and after graduation.

Assessment is central to the teaching and learning process. Faculty routinely assess student performance in the classroom to determine mastery of course learning outcomes. At the course, department, and program levels, assessment requires a shared understanding among faculty and stakeholders of what students are expected to learn, how learning will be demonstrated, and the level of proficiency required. This shared approach ensures consistency, transparency, and meaningful use of assessment results to improve student learning and institutional effectiveness.