Program Support
Assessment & Program Support
The Assessment Office partners with academic programs, departments, committees, College leadership, and university offices to strengthen assessment practices and support evidence-informed improvement. Services include assessment planning, data analysis, survey administration, reporting, evidence development, and consultation on accreditation and accountability requirements.
Select an area below to learn more about available support.
Assessment Planning
The Assessment Office helps programs develop, review, and refine meaningful assessment processes. This work supports the evaluation of student learning, program effectiveness, and progress toward established outcomes.
Support may include:
- Identifying measures aligned with program goals and student learning outcomes
- Reviewing or refining assessment plans
- Establishing benchmarks and performance expectations
- Examining the quality and usefulness of assessment instruments
- Planning how results will be collected, reviewed, and documented
- Supporting learning outcomes assessment and academic program review processes
Programs may contact the Assessment Office when developing a new assessment process, revising an existing plan, or preparing for an institutional or external review.
Data, Analysis & Reporting
The Assessment Office collects, maintains, analyzes, and communicates data to support accreditation, academic planning, program review, research, external reporting, and College decision-making.
Support may include:
- Program and College-level data summaries
- Longitudinal and comparative analyses
- Data tables, dashboards, and visualizations
- Evidence tables for reports, reviews, and self-studies
- Interpretation and communication of findings
- Institutional, state, federal, and national reporting
- Data support for College committees and strategic initiatives
When requesting assistance, please identify the program or population, the reporting period, intended use, requested measures, and the desired completion date.
Surveys & Evidence
The Assessment Office supports the development, administration, analysis, and reporting of surveys used to evaluate student experiences, program outcomes, and stakeholder perspectives.
Support may include:
- Candidate, completer, employer, alumni, and stakeholder surveys
- Review or development of survey instruments
- Survey administration and response monitoring
- Analysis and presentation of survey results
- Identification of appropriate evidence sources
- Organization of evidence for accreditation, program review, and continuous improvement
- Integration of findings from multiple measures or stakeholder groups
The office can also help programs determine whether a survey is the most appropriate method for addressing a specific assessment or evaluation question.
Continuous Improvement
The Assessment Office helps programs move from evidence collection to informed action. This work focuses on interpreting findings, identifying priorities, documenting decisions, and evaluating the effects of improvement efforts.
Support may include:
- Reviewing findings to identify strengths and areas for attention
- Facilitating discussions about assessment results
- Connecting findings to program goals and strategic priorities
- Developing or documenting improvement actions
- Establishing methods for monitoring progress
- Evaluating whether implemented changes produced the intended results
- Preparing narratives that connect evidence, decisions, actions, and outcomes
Continuous improvement support may be provided as part of annual assessment, academic program review, accreditation, strategic planning, or another College initiative.
Accreditation & Accountability
The Assessment Office coordinates accreditation evidence, accountability activities, and external reporting for educator preparation and other College programs. The office also helps programs interpret expectations, organize documentation, and prepare required submissions.
Support may include:
- Interpreting accreditation standards and reporting requirements
- Coordinating evidence collection and review
- Organizing documentation for accreditation reports and site reviews
- Supporting AAQEP, Middle States, MSDE, and specialized professional association processes
- Preparing or coordinating institutional, state, federal, and national reports
- Monitoring changes to assessment, accreditation, and accountability expectations
- Communicating relevant updates to programs and College stakeholders
For official accreditation status, accredited-program information, and public accreditation reports, visit the College of Education Accreditation page.
Request Assistance
Faculty, staff, programs, committees, and College leaders may contact the Assessment Office for consultation or support related to assessment, data, surveys, reporting, accreditation, and continuous improvement.
When submitting a request, please provide:
- The program, department, committee, or initiative
- A brief description of the requested assistance
- The intended use of the information or service
- Any relevant population, timeframe, measures, or reporting requirements
- The requested completion date
- Supporting documents or examples, when applicable
Request Assessment Office Assistance
For general questions, contact the Assessment Office at assessmentoffice@umd.edu.