Section 281.79.13. Assessment system and unit evaluation standard.

The unit’s assessment system shall appropriately monitor individual candidate performance and use that data in concert with other information to evaluate and improve the unit and its programs in accordance with the following provisions.

         79.13(1) The unit has a clearly defined, cohesive assessment system.

         79.13(2) The assessment system is based on unit standards.

         79.13(3) The assessment system includes both individual candidate assessment and comprehensive unit assessment.

         79.13(4) Candidate assessment includes clear criteria for:

            a.               Entrance into the program (for teacher education, this includes testing described in Iowa Code section 256.16).

            b.               Continuation in the program with clearly defined checkpoints/gates.

            c.               Admission to clinical experiences (for teacher education, this includes specific criteria for admission to student teaching).

            d.               Program completion (for teacher education, this includes testing described in Iowa Code section 256.16; see subrule 79.15(5) for required teacher candidate assessment).

         79.13(5) Individual candidate assessment includes all of the following:

            a.               Measures used for candidate assessment are fair, reliable, and valid.

            b.               Candidates are assessed on their demonstration/attainment of unit standards.

            c.               Multiple measures are used for assessment of the candidate on each unit standard.

            d.               Candidates are assessed on unit standards at different developmental stages.

            e.               Candidates are provided with formative feedback on their progress toward attainment of unit standards.

            f.                Candidates use the provided formative assessment data to reflect upon and guide their development/growth toward attainment of unit standards.

            g.               Candidates are assessed at the same level of performance across programs, regardless of the place or manner in which the program is delivered.

         79.13(6) Comprehensive unit assessment includes all of the following:

            a.               Individual candidate assessment data on unit standards, as described in subrule 79.13(5), are analyzed.

            b.               The aggregated assessment data are analyzed to evaluate programs.

            c.               Findings from the evaluation of aggregated assessment data are used to make program improvements.

            d.               Evaluation data are shared with stakeholders.

            e.               The collection, aggregation, analysis, and evaluation of assessment data described in this subrule take place on a regular cycle.

        79.13(7) The unit shall conduct a survey of graduates and their employers to ensure that the graduates are well-prepared, and the data shall be used for program improvement.

         79.13(8) The unit regularly reviews, evaluates, and revises the assessment system.

         79.13(9) The unit annually reports to the department such data as is required by the state and federal governments.

[ARC 8053B, IAB 8/26/09, effective 9/30/09; ARC 0476C, IAB 11/28/12, effective 1/2/13; ARC 1780C, IAB 12/10/14, effective 1/14/15]