2009-2010 Call for Proposals

Program Description
Members of the University faculty are invited to apply for grant funding (up to $2000) to support assessment activities, which may include planning, training, development of tools or procedures, and/or data collection and analysis. Specific goals of the program, include:

1. help faculty assess student learning, wherever their starting point
2. help faculty incorporate assessment and its results into on-going program management
3. identify and use programs’ assessment experiences as models of best practice for others.

As faculty conduct assessments with the help of these small grants, we hope that their colleagues will come to appreciate the wealth of approaches to assessment and be inspired to adopt or develop their own techniques or tools.

Proposal Criteria
Proposals to initiate assessments, refine assessment methods, or further the incorporation of assessment into academic program decision-making will receive priority. “Needs assessments” will not be funded. Proposals may seek funding for student learning assessments above and beyond academic departments’ formal assessment plans submitted for SACS review.

A significant aspect of this grants program is dissemination: informing other faculty about the variety and quality of student learning assessment underway across Grounds. As such, the grant proposal requires a commitment to report on grant activities and results. Grantees will be invited to participate via poster sessions, case studies, or panels open to the University community, and recipients should expect their experience to serve as examples or models for other programs undertaking assessments.

Both IAS and the TRC are available to consult regarding student learning assessments. IAS can provide assistance with data analysis, and the TRC can provide consultation and training to programs considering curricular or pedagogical improvements as a result of assessments.

Proposal Process
A call for proposals is typically made in late summer/early fall. Instructions for the proposal process are found at the UVaCollab site “Learning Assessment” (https://collab.itc.virginia.edu/portal). For additional information, contact Lois Myers at IAS: lm2r@virginia.edu. Grant proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of members of the University faculty and representatives from IAS and the TRC.