Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
According to the ACCJC Accreditation Handbook (2024), a student learning outcome (SLO)
is defined as the measurable skills, abilities, competencies, knowledge or values
that students are expected to demonstrate upon completing an educational experience.
These experiences may include but are not limited to individual courses, programs of study, certificate or degree programs or services offered by the college. At Citrus College, SLOs are established for courses, programs, certificates and degrees as well as for student services, academic support and designated administrative support services.
SLO Assessment (SLOA)
SLOs provide a framework for assessing the effectiveness of instruction across the
campus. Through ongoing assessment, reflection and analysis, instructional practices
can be refined and strengthened, ultimately enhancing student learning and promoting
student success.
Citrus College Process for SLOA
To support meaningful SLOA, Citrus College emphasizes both synchronous and asynchronous
dialogue among program faculty.
Each year, the college collectively assesses course-level SLOs in two of the seven established competency areas. This cycle ensures that all course-level outcomes are regularly reviewed, while also fostering focused, campuswide dialogue around the teaching and assessment of shared competencies.
Faculty document assessment discussions using online program-specific discussion boards. Smaller programs may collaborate to generate broader, more robust dialogue. Synchronous conversations — such as those held during division or program meetings, Convocation or Flex Day — are summarized on the discussion boards. These same boards also serve as a platform for asynchronous contributions, enabling faculty to continue dialogue beyond scheduled meetings.
This discussion board model is designed to create inclusive, collaborative engagement with outcomes assessment. It provides a forum for faculty to exchange strategies, reflect on methodologies, document effective pedagogy and identify areas for improvement. By accommodating both synchronous and asynchronous participation, the process ensures contributions from all faculty, including adjunct instructors who may be unable to attend live discussions.
SLOA and Program Review
Assessment of student learning is a central component of the program review process
at Citrus College. Each year during Convocation, faculty engage in reflection on the
prior year's SLOA dialogue. These reflections directly inform the completion of the
Program Review Annual Update and Resource Requests, ensuring that concerns identified
through assessment are translated into clearly defined goals and aligned with appropriate
resource needs.