General Education and Institutional Learning Outcomes

The six college outcomes listed below represent a set of abilities and qualities desired of students earning either a degree or certificate from Palomar College. These outcomes are aligned to course and program learning outcomes and are assessed and analyzed at the institutional level. We refer to these college outcomes as Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs).

• Communication – Communicate effectively with clarity and purpose in academic, community, workplace, and/or creative contexts using one or more of the following modalities: verbal, visual, auditory, or written language. 
• Critical Thinking – Critically analyze and evaluate content, issues, alternative viewpoints, ideas, artifacts, STEM-based problems, or events to form an opinion or draw a conclusion.
• Civic Knowledge and Engagement – Recognize political, social, and cultural responsibilities and have the knowledge, skills, values, and/or motivation to make a positive contribution to various communities.
• Quantitative Reasoning – Explain and convert information into relevant mathematical structures (equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, etc.), form critical judgments, draw appropriate conclusions based on the quantitative analysis of data, and/or utilize quantitative evidence in support of an argument or decision.
• Information Literacy – Determine the appropriate scope of information needed, access and critically evaluate information and its sources, and/or apply information accurately, ethically, and legally to accomplish a specific purpose. 
• Engagement with Diverse Perspectives – Respectfully interact with individuals of diverse perspectives, beliefs, and values while being mindful of biases in one’s cultural framework. This may include articulation of critical self-awareness, recognition, acknowledgement, and/or conceptualization of the complexities of historical and lived experiences.

The College has two additional college outcomes that apply to degrees (AA/AS/AT) only: foundational knowledge of the discipline and integrative learning.  These two outcomes are assessed at the program level.  Students earning a Palomar degree are expected to achieve the General Education (GE) Learning Outcomes listed below.

• Foundational Knowledge of the Discipline – Apply foundational methods of inquiry and analysis of diverse disciplines.
• Integrative Learning – Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized studies. May be demonstrated through learning communities, service learning, work-based learning, engagement through the arts, capstone projects, etc.

GEILO Reports

Assessment Framework

The process below illustrates how the assessment of college learning outcomes is initiated, analyzed, documented, and shared.

1. Information (Data)
   • Community College Survey of Student Engagement Results (from IRP&G
   • GEILOs – Faculty directly assess student work in Canvas
   • Assessment of outcomes through student survey
   • Summary of GEILO responses (from IRP&G)
2. Action (Digestion & Decisions)
   • Learning Outcomes Subcommittee reports and makes recommendations for action to Curriculum Committee and Faculty Senate
   • Faculty Senate uses data for planning and decision-making
   • Academic department(s) may use data to modify curriculum, enhance learning, and inform program review (disaggregated GEILO assessment data will be available by department/discipline
   • Use data to map and assess GE studies degrees (Articulation Officer and IRP&G)
   • Results may be used to support co-curricular programming at department- and college-level, assess the needs of target groups, etc.
3. Document
   • Document results and actions in Nuventive. GEILO assessment unit is available to all Nuventive users
   • Post results, action, and resources on the SLO website
4. Share
   • College Council
   • Equity, Education, and Student Success Council
   • Chairs and Directors
   • Guided Pathways

The Curriculum Committee approved this three-year framework for assessing the College Outcomes. Faculty may use the framework to align course and program outcomes assessment with college outcomes assessment.