At Pomona, the purpose of assessment is to create a forum for continuous reflection and dialogue about goals for student learning, to inform faculty professional development, and ultimately to extend and deepen the transformative reach of a Pomona College education. This work is informed by departmental, general education and institutional learning goals. Key coordinating bodies for assessment include:
Teaching and Learning Committee (TLC) - The TLC is the main faculty body that oversees a program of institutional assessment of student learning. Its current focus is the assessment of five core learning competencies (information literacy, critical thinking, writing, oral communication, and quantitative literacy). The Critical Thinking and Writing Committee and the Quantitative Resource Center are critical partners in this work, as well. Results from assessment studies are available with a campus login from the Dean of the College Sakai site and inform TLC events and programming throughout the year.
Academic Dean's Office - The Office of Academic Success and Assessment prioritizes and coordinates resources to support teaching, learning and curriculum development at the College, including faculty engagement in assessment practices that promote student success. One associate dean takes the lead on this coordination and serves (ex-officio) on the TLC and on the Critical Thinking and Writing Committee.
Office of Institutional Research - As part of its mission to use data to inform teaching and learning, the OIR maintains longitudinal indicators and benchmarks on a number of topics relevant to Pomona's educational mission and conducts targeted studies on these topics. The director serves (ex-officio) on the TLC and consults on the design of institutional assessment studies.
Division of Student Affairs - Student affairs directs an active program of assessment around several core outcomes for student development.
In addition, reviews of general education are coordinated by the Curriculum Committee on a periodic basis. Together, the work of these many entities and partnerships across campus serve to promote an empirical basis for student learning and success at Pomona.