JMU Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS)

Publication Alert! Congratulations to Autumn Wild, Riley Herr, and Dr. Sara Finney on their latest publication in the Journal of Student Affairs Inquiry, Improvement, and Impact: “Professional Development in Equity-Centered Outcomes Assessment: The Utility of a Meta-Assessment Rubric.”    In this article, Wild et al. detail the utility of an equity-centered meta-assessment rubric in designing and implementing professional development training for student affairs educators. By leveraging freely available resources from an OER Commons website, the authors implemented a meta-assessment process within their Division of Student Affairs and developed a comprehensive three-day professional development training focused on equity-centered assessment practices.    Further, the authors examined the effectiveness of the three-day professional development by conducting a Generalizability Study (G-Study) and key matching analyses. Using independent ratings from seven raters on three reports of varying quality (Developing, Proficient, Exemplary), the G-Study yielded a high G Coefficient of 0.97, indicating the training’s effectiveness in teaching student affairs educators to distinguish between quality levels of equitable programming and assessment practices. Additionally, the key matching analyses further supported the utility of the training, with over 80% of ratings being within 1- point of the key for all three reports. Implications for the field are discussed, including a call to graduate training programs to incorporate more training in equity-centered assessment for future practitioners.    Read their article here: https://bit.ly/4gZlqbA.   Access the Journal Issue here: https://bit.ly/4a0aqZd.   #AssessmentandMeasurement #Research #Publishing #JMUCARS #StudentAffairs #MetaAssessment

We have an excellent new issue with 9 amazing articles! https://bit.ly/JSAIII "This issue of JSAIII traces an arch to the student affairs assessment story. It revisits where we have been, reviews where we are, and challenges us to consider where we need to go" (Editors' Notes, p. 5). HUGE thanks to the editorial and review team that made this issue possible, including Heather Strine-Patterson, Alice Mitchell, Sophie Tullier, Stephen P. Hundley, Caleb J. Keith, Erica Eckert, Yancey Gulley, Judd Harbin, Ph.D., and Dena Kniess, Ph.D. We also want to give a big shout out to our 32 fantastic authors, who are also wonderful people: Alice Mitchell, Autumn Wild, Becket Duncan, Bill Heinrich PhD, Dr. Daniel A. Bureau, Ellissa Brooks Nelson, Ph.D., Gavin Henning, Hannah Wilks, Heather Strine-Patterson, Jen Wells, Ph.D., Joseph Levy, Laura Dean, Kimberly Kruchen, Madeline Trudeau, Natasha Jankowski, Ph.D, Nash Albrecht, Nico Punkar, Pamelyn Shefman, PhD, Paul Holliday-Millard, Ed.D., Qichen Li, Renee Delgado-Riley, Ph.D., Riley Herr, Sara Finney, Sarah Gordon, Sarah LaFrance, Shannon Milligan, PhD, Shaun Boren, EdD, Shiloh Lovette, Sophie Tullier, Sydney Kayne, Tanner Gill, and Tori Rehr #SApro #SAassess #SAassessment #assessment #JSAIII

Slots are fast filling out, 8 Days to Go! Secure your spot today and join us for the workshop "Best Practices in Student Affairs Assessment: Resources to Support Program Theory, Implementation Fidelity, and Equity" workshop on January 14–16, 2025! Key Information Dates: January 14-16, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM EST Location: Online - join us from anywhere! Cost: $1,200 Registration deadline: Tue, Jan 7 at 12 noon EST. Watch the two-minute introductory video here: https://bit.ly/3YF9NyU. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3XRQEKU. Secure your spot now: https://bit.ly/4fcmhV3. For more information, contact us at: assessmentdevelopment@jmu.edu

The countdown is on! Only 10 days left to join our highly sought-after workshop, "Managing Academic Degree Program Assessment in Higher Education on 7-9 January 2025!" Key Details: Date: January 7-9, 2025 Location: Online – accessible from anywhere! Cost: $1,200 Registration Deadline: January 3, 2025 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dOCejf. Watch a 2-minute introduction video: https://bit.ly/3Z6bxTr. Secure your spot now: https://bit.ly/4eSQIAf. For more information, contact us at assessmentdevelopment@jmu.edu

Special Invitation! Join us for the Spring 2025 or Summer “Assessment 101” Workshop as we deep dive into assessment topics, such as writing student learning outcomes, curriculum mapping, creating effective instruments, analyzing data, and using results to make evidence-based decisions. Key Information Spring 2025 Session: Fridays, February 7, 14, 21, 28, and March 7 Summer 2025 Session: Monday to Friday: June 2-6 Delivery: Online Cost: $1,500.00 Watch a 1-minute introduction video: https://lnkd.in/diGrm4Cd. To learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4c900H9. For more information, contact us at assessmentdevelopment@jmu.edu

17 Days to Registration Deadline! Register today to join us for the “Managing Academic Degree Program Assessment in Higher Education” workshop on 7-9 January 2025. Watch a 2-minute introduction video: https://bit.ly/3Z6bxTr to learn more about the workshop. Key Details: Date: January 7-9, 2025 Location: Online – accessible from anywhere! Cost: $1,200 Registration Deadline: January 3, 2025 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dOCejf Secure your spot now: https://bit.ly/4eSQIAf For more information, contact us at assessmentdevelopment@jmu.edu

32 Days to Go! Register today and join us for the workshop, "Best Practices in Student Affairs Assessment: Resources to Support Program Theory, Implementation Fidelity, and Equity," workshop on January 14–16, 2025! Facilitated by Dr. Sara Finney, Riley Herr, and Mara McFadden, the workshop will provide cutting-edge tools and insights to elevate student affairs assessment practices in higher education. Key Information  Dates: January 14-16, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM EST Location: Online - join us from anywhere! Cost: $1,200 Registration deadline: Tue, Jan 7 at 12 noon EST. Watch the two-minute introductory video here: https://bit.ly/3YF9NyU. Learn more :  https://bit.ly/3XRQEKU. Secure your spot now: https://bit.ly/4fcmhV3 For more information, contact us at: assessmentdevelopment@jmu.edu

Heading to the 2024 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Conference? JMU Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS), in collaboration with JMU Ethical Reasoning in Action (ERiA), is excited to be part of the 2024 Assessment Institute at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX. December 7-10! Get ready for an action-packed experience with dynamic sessions, thought-provoking talks, and showcases. Join us at our joint booth with ERiA to connect, explore our latest work in assessment and ethical reasoning, and engage in meaningful discussions on the future of higher education. Here’s a sneak peek of the sessions you can expect: Saturday, Dec 7, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Session: Reliability and Validity: Necessities for Successful Assessment, Dr. Brian Leventhal and Jon Henriques Sunday, December 8, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. Session: Improving Learning with Your QEP: Six Essential Steps, Dr. Keston Fulcher, Kelsey Nason, and Mason J. Solutions Showcase – Silver Sponsors: 11:30 a.m - 12:20 p.m JMU CARS will share how they develop skills in assessment and improvement, Dr. Keston Fulcher Sunday, December 8, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Session: Balancing Innovation and Compliance in DEI, Accessibility, and Belonging, Dr. Malika Carter.   Session: Using Data to Bridge the Gap: Program Review and External Accreditation, Nicolas Mireless, Dr. John Burgess and Kathryn Brown Monday, December 9, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM Session: Balancing the Logistics of the On-Site Visit, Tina Grace and Cindy Grove Chiarello Learn more about JMUCARS and ERiA workshops and events: bit.ly/4dOCejf Visit us at our booth and meet Dr. Christian Early, Kacey Damaty from JMU Ethical Reasoning in Action, Dr. Keston Fulcher, Tanya Laffler, Mason J., Kelsey Nason from JMU CARS Team. #JMU #JMUCARS #JMUERiA #WorkshopandEvents #HigherEducation #2024SACSCOC 

Exciting News! Registration is NOW OPEN for the Initi8 Workshop, July 21-25, 2025! This intensive, five-day IN-PERSON workshop is co-hosted by the JMU Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS) and JMU Ethical Reasoning in Action (ERiA). The workshop is designed to help educators, administrators, and faculty integrate ethical reasoning into their teaching, assessment, and faculty development strategies. The workshop is a hands-on, collaborative experience where participants will explore strategies for enhancing ethical reasoning in higher education. Key Details: Date: July 21-25, 2025 Location: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA  Cost: $2,000 Learn more and register today: https://bit.ly/4iojFpV. #JMUCARS #JMUERiA #Initi8Workshop #ProfessionalDevelopment #ethicalreasoninginhighereducation

Enhance your expertise in Managing Academic Degree Program Assessment in Higher Education by joining our exclusive session from January 7-9, 2025. Led by the renowned Dr. Megan Rodgers Good, Executive Director of CARS and a leader in assessment excellence, alongside expert practitioner Laura Lambert. Dr. Good brings her vast experience in developing custom assessment systems for various academic institutions, ensuring processes that cater to unique situational needs. This interactive workshop will bring elements of the acclaimed Assessment 101 book to life, providing practical insights and strategies. Key Details: Date: January 7-9, 2025 Location: Online – accessible from anywhere! Cost: $1,200 Registration Deadline: January 3, 2025 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dOCejf. Register now: https://bit.ly/4eSQIAf. View Dr. Good’s Profile: https://bit.ly/3ZhVjoL. #AssessmentandMeasurement #ProfessionalDevelopment #JMUCARS #HigherEducation