Download Annual Departmental Assessment Analysis Report for

Course/Departmental Assessment Report for Instruction
Please complete a form for each course.
1) Date: 9/20/2011
2) Contact Person: Vikki Piper
3) Department: Econ
4) Course Name and Number: Econ 1A
5) Assessed Course SLO(s):
A. Define scarcity and how it relates to the concepts of choice and cost.
B. Describe price and quantity changes that occur when supply and demand
change.
C. Compare and contrast Keynesian and Classical economic theory.
D. Explain Monetary and Fiscal policy and their respective influences on the
business cycle.
E. Understand the relationship between leading economic indicators and
economic performance.
6) Describe your assessment timeline, including a rationale for your decision:
In Spring 2011 instructors from Madera, Willow, and Oakhurst collected data.
This is our first set of data using the revised ECON 1A SLOs.
7) Institutional Outcome Alignment:
Which institutional outcome(s) is central to your course?
X
Communication Skills
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X
Interpret various types of written, visual, and verbal information.
Organize ideas and communicate precisely and clearly to express complex thoughts both
orally and in writing.
Critical Thinking and Information Literacy
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Analyze quantitative information and apply scientific methodologies.
Employ critical and creative modes of inquiry to solve problems, explore alternatives, and
make decisions.
Synthesize researched information obtained from accurate, credible, and relevant sources to
support, advance, or rebut an opinion.
Approved by College Council December 9, 2009
X
Global and Community Literacy


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Analyze the fine arts, humanities, and social sciences from cultural, historic, and aesthetic
perspectives.
Apply historical and contemporary issues and events to civic and social responsibility.
Demonstrate sensitive and respectful treatment of a variety of ethnic, religious, and
socioeconomic backgrounds.
Personal Development
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Assess current knowledge, skills, and abilities to further develop them and apply them to new
situations.
Incorporate physical and emotional principles to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Make ethical personal and professional choices.
8) Assessment Assignments and/ or Instruments:
Which were used to assess the SLO?
X
Item analysis of exams, quizzes, problem
sets, etc. (items linked to specific
outcomes)
Assignments based on rubrics (essays/
reports, projects, performances,
presentations, etc.)
Assignments based on checklists
Direct observation of performances,
structured practice or drills, “practical”
exams, small group work, etc.
Student self-assessments (e.g. reflective
journals, surveys)
Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATS,
“clicker” mediated responses, etc.)
Capstone projects or final summative
assessment (final exams, capstone projects,
portfolios, etc.)
Other (please describe)
9) Please attach any instruments used for assessment (rubrics, checklists,
surveys, etc.).
See below.
10) What is your expected level of achievement for measuring success?
70%
Approved by College Council December 9, 2009
11) Assessment Results:
What did members of your program learn from the assessment of the outcome? Did the
assessment work, and if not, what needs to be revised?
SLO A:
SLO B :
SLO C:
SLO D:
SLO E:
78% of the students were successful with the assessment.
75% of the students were successful with the assessment.
59% of the students were successful with the assessment.
72% of the students were successful with the assessment.
77% of the students were successful with the assessment.
The SLO assessments were successful for all of the outcomes except SLO C, Compare
and contrast Keynesian and Classical economic theory. It was decided that question C2 for this SLO needs to be re-worded and Keynesian and Classical economic theories
re-enforced.
Also, all instructors agreed that the assessments should be part of a graded
assignment. This graded assignment would preferably be given to coincide with the
lectures on these topics.
12) Action Plan:
Based on the assessment results, what changes, if any, are planned to increase student
success? When will they be implemented? Please check any appropriate boxes and
provide a brief description with a timeline for changes.
Results are positive—no changes to be made
X
Conduct further assessment related to the issue and outcome
ECON 1A will be re-assessed in Spring 2012.
X
Use new or revised teaching methods (e.g., more use of group work, new
lecture, etc.)
Keynesian versus Classical economic theories will be re-enforced through
readings, lecture, and assessments.
Develop new methods of evaluating student work
Plan purchase of new equipment or supplies needed for modified student
Activities
Make changes in staffing plans (e.g., modified job descriptions, requests for
Approved by College Council December 9, 2009
new positions, etc.)
Engage in professional development about best practices for this type of
class/activity
Revise the course sequence or prerequisites
Revise the course syllabus or outline (e.g., change in course topics)
Unable to determine what should be done
X
Other:
The assessments will be made as part of a graded assignment.
Provide a brief description with a timeline for changes:
Question C-2 will be re-worded in Fall, 2011. All ECON 1A SLOs will be re-assessed in
Spring 2012 and will be part of a graded assignment. Beginning Spring 2012,
Keynesian and Classical economic theories re-enforced.
Approved by College Council December 9, 2009
ECON 1A: Macroeconomics SLO Assessments
OUTCOME A:
Define scarcity and how it relates to the concepts of choice and cost.
A-1. Which of the following best describes scarcity?
a. Markets cannot properly allocate resources
b. Prices of goods are very high
c. Unlimited wants exceed the limited resources available
d. Wants cannot be fulfilled and thus all goods must be rationed
A-2. Scarcity is central to the study of economics because it implies that:
a. Society must make decisions at the margin
b. Wants are limited
c. Economic agents are rational
d. Every choice involves an opportunity cost
OUTCOME B:
Describe price and quantity changes that occur when supply and demand change.
B-1. If quantity demanded for a product exceeds the quantity supplied the market price will rise
until:
a. Only wealthy consumers will be able to afford the product
b. Quantity demanded equals quantity supplied. The equilibrium price will then be greater
than the market price.
c. The quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied. The product will then no longer be
scarce.
d. Quantity demanded equals quantity supplied. The market price will then equal the
equilibrium price.
B-2. Complete the following statement. “When there is a shortage of a good….”
a. Consumers complete against one another by bidding the price upward
b. As prices increase, consumer demand more of a particular good
c. As prices increase, producers are driven to produce less
d. Producers react to shortages by lowering prices
e. Decreasing prices lead to a change in demand
Approved by College Council December 9, 2009
ECON 1A: Macroeconomics SLO Assessments
OUTCOME C:
Compare and contrast Keynesian and Classical economic theory.
C-1. Which of the following statements would be associated with Keynesian economics?
a. Economic problems can best be addressed by reducing taxation and regulation and thus
increasing incentives to save and invest.
b. Because wages and prices are sticky and it can take a long time for the economy to
return to full employment, the government should intervene in the macroeconomy
c. Because there are significant lags in recognizing and implementing activist policies, the
best government policy is nonintervention.
d. Since expectations are rational, anticipated policy changes will have no effect on real
output and only “surprises” matter.
C-2. Which of the following statements would be associated with new classical economics?
a. Because wages and prices are sticky and it can take a long time for the economy to
return to full employment, the government should intervene in the macroeconomy
b. Because there are significant lags in recognizing and implementing activist policies, the
best government policy is nonintervention.
c. Economic problems can best be addressed by reducing taxation and regulation and thus
increasing incentives to save and invest.
d. Since expectations are rational, anticipated policy changes will have no effect on real
output and only “surprises” matter.
Approved by College Council December 9, 2009
ECON 1A: Macroeconomics SLO Assessments
OUTCOME D:
Explain Monetary and Fiscal policy and their respective influences on the business cycle.
D-1. Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding fiscal policy and monetary
policy?
a. Fiscal policy includes changes in government spending and taxes and is controlled by
the Federal Reserve. Monetary policy includes changes in the money supply and
interest rates and is controlled by the federal government.
b. Fiscal policy includes changes in government spending and taxes and is controlled by
the federal government. Monetary policy includes changes in the money supply and
interest rates and is controlled by the Federal Reserve.
c. Fiscal policy includes changes in government spending and interest rates and is
controlled by the federal government. Monetary policy includes changes in the money
supply and taxes and is controlled by the Federal Reserve.
d. Fiscal policy includes changes in interest rates and taxes and is controlled by the federal
government. Monetary policy includes changes in the money supply and government
spending and is controlled by the Federal Reserve.
D-2. If the economy is slipping into a recession, which of the following would be an appropriate
fiscal policy?
a. A decrease in taxes
b. An increase in the money supply and a decrease in interest rates
c. A decrease in government purchases
d. A decrease in oil prices
OUTCOME E:
Understand the relationship between leading economic indicators and economic
performance.
E-1. If aggregate demand just increased, which of the following may have caused the increase?
a. An increase in imports
b. An increase in the interest rate
c. An increase in the price level
d. An increase in government purchases
E-2. Which of the following events would cause an increase in short-run aggregate supply?
a. An improvement in technology
b. A decrease in the price level
c. An increase in consumption
d. An decrease in the labor force
Approved by College Council December 9, 2009