Fort Hays State University

Victor E. Tiger
Fort Hays State University




Quick Links

About Us

Undergraduate Program

Graduate Program

Assessment Data

Assistive Technology

Continuing Education

Course Catalog Listings

Faculty and Staff

Student Organization

Herndon Clinic

Facilities

Position Announcements

Alumni Newsletter

College of Health and Life Sciences


 Home >  Academics > Communication Disorders > 

Department of Communication Disorders

Assessment Information

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment involves evaluating the developing knowledge and skills of an individual throughout the student's program of graduate study. The faculty developed the Team-Managed Assessment of Knowledge and Skills in Speech-Language Pathology (T-MAKS SLP) as its formative assessment tool, which was implemented in 2004.  The term “team” was selected on purpose as the faculty felt that the students, faculty, and department as a whole were part of the team and had responsibility to ensure that the learning outcomes were met.

  • A rubric was developed rate a student’s performance with the anchor items being emerging, approaching and standard met. 
  • Beginning Spring 2007, the faculty determined that any student receiving a rating of emerging on any student learning outcome in the knowledge or skills area would be placed on an improvement plan. 
  • Beginning Fall 2007, no student may graduate with an emerging rating.
  • The goal is to have all students at the approaching and standard met level.

The T-MAKS is monitored using the Student Assessment Management System (SAMS). SAMS is a web-based system that allows both faculty and students to monitor progress on the student learning outcomes. Characteristics of the T-MAKS for the Department of Communication Disorders includes:

  • 11 entry level outcomes that must be met by all graduate students. These outcomes demonstrate a level of performance in undergraduate or leveling courses (e.g., biological and physical sciences, behavioral/social sciences, mathematics, clinical phonetics, language development, etc.)

  • 76 student learning outcomes across 15 graduate level courses which are part of the knowledge areas in speech-language pathology

  • 18 student learning outcomes across the clinical areas of clinical evaluation and treatment and professional skills

Formative assessments are completed throughout each semester of the graduate student's academic and clinical preparation. The following are examples of assessments for 2005 through 2007 on the neurological sequence for graduate students.

  • Entry level course: aphasia and dementia
    • Average rating on all student learning outcomes meet the departmental criteria of a rating of 2 (approaching) to 3 (standard met)
  • Mid-program level course: motor speech disorders
    • Average rating on all student learning outcomes meet the departmental criteria of a rating of 2 (approaching) to 3 (standard met)
  • Capstone clinical externship: medical externship
    • Average rating on the student learning outcomes meet the departmental criteria for clinical skills of 4 (refining) to 5 (independent)

SLO for Aphasia and Dementia
Rating:  1 = Emerging, 2 = Approaching, 3 = Standard Met

Average Rating
2005

Average Rating
2006

Average Rating
2007

1. Identifies risk factors and preventive influences for aphasia and dementia

3

3

2.92

2. Describes and differentiates between the classical aphasia syndromes and their associated site of lesion

3

3

2.92

3. Describes and differentiates between the cortical, subcortical and mixed dementias

3

3

2.98

4. Specifies standardized and nonstandardized measures for assessment of acquired disorders of language and communication

3

3

3

5. Demonstrates principles and techniques for maximizing communication in individuals with neurogenic communication disorders, including relevant evidence-based practices.

3

3

2.83

6.characteristics of cognitive-communicative disorders

2.92

2.63

2.75

7. Identifies and selects a variety of standardized and nonstandardized procedures for the assessment of cognitive-communication disorders

2.92

2.5

2.58

8. Develops appropriate intervention plans for cognitive-communication disorders

2.97

2.84

2.84

SLO for Motor Speech Disorders
Rating:  1 = Emerging, 2 = Approaching, 3 = Standard Met

Average Rating
2005

Average Rating
2006

Average Rating
2007

1. Differentiates among the motor speech disorders on the basis of etiology, site of lesion, and speech characteristics

3

3

3

2. Identifies characteristics from the examination of the oral mechanism to help differentiate among the motor speech disorders

3

3

2.75

3. Outlines an appropriate assessment for motor speech disorders using a variety of standardized and nonstandardized procedures

3

3

2.92

4. Identifies appropriate intervention plans for motor speech disorders

3

2.88

2.75

SLO for Medical Externship
Rating Scale: 1 = Not Evident, 2 = Emerging, 3= Developing, 4=Refining, 5 = Independent

Average Rating
2005

Average Rating
2006

Average Rating
2007

1. Explains/instructs with clarity

4.75

4.5

4.58

2. Gives appropriate feedback (encouragement, reinforcement, consequence)

4.88

4.5

4.83

3. Elicits adequate number of responses/participation on part of client

5

4.75

4.83

4. Selects or develops and uses appropriate materials and instrumentation for prevention and treatment

5

4.88

4.83

5. Accurately judges and records responses; evaluates client's performance and progress

4.94

4.88

4.83

6. Follows lesson plans; recognizes and adjusts treatment to performance data

4.94

4.88

4.73

7. Uses behavior management techniques as appropriate

4.79

4.75

4.58

8. Identifies the need and refers clients to other professionals as appropriate

5

4.6

4.6

Updated: 11-30-07


Copyright © 2002-2008 Fort Hays State University - 600 Park Street, Hays, Kansas 67601-4099 - 785-628-FHSU (3478)

Site Map - Contact Webmaster with any questions or comments concerning this Web site.