Assessing Outcomes
Academic disciplines identify Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for each of their course and programs. They then assess to what level students are proficient in these outcomes. Non-instructional units identify Service Area Outcomes (SAOs) and assess if the identified outcomes are achieved.
What is an SAO
A Service Area Outcome (SAO) is a statement about what a client will experience, receive, or know as a result of a given service. Clients can be students, faculty, staff, or community members.
As part of our three-year planning and review cycles, all non-instructional units are asked to:
- Identify at least two SAOs,
- Develop a plan and assess their SAOs,
- Reflect on the results, and
- Take action, as necessary.
Palomar has adopted Nuventive as our official repository for SLO and SAO Assessment information.
SAO Resources
Nuventive
- If you need help with anything regarding Nuventive, such as login, unit identification, entering SAO info, email Marti Snyder.
Defining and Assessing SAOs
Are you sure if your SAOs make the grade? Do you need some help writing an SAO? Are you not sure about how to assess your SAOs?
- Hartnell’s SAO Guide is a nice resource! Thank you, Hartnell!
- Email Michelle Barton. We have a resource support team to help.