Assessment
at the University of Nebraska at Kearney

department assessment
    > Mathematics and Statistics Department
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ASSESSMENT PLAN
Every three years the department will send out an assessment instrument to individuals who graduated from any of our programs either three, four , or five years previously to determine strengths and weaknesses in their preparation.
1999-2000 ASSESSMENT
The survey was sent to 68 graduates from fall 1993 through summer 1996 from all programs offered by the department. We had a return rate of just 10.3% in spite of the fact that the questionnaire was brief and returnable by e-mail as well as regular mail. All of the returned questionnaires were from math education majors.

One of the returned questionnaires came from a person employed in an unrelated area, and another questionnaire provided no answers to our assessment questions.

The five remaining questionnaires were all from math education majors that are currently employed in the field. All were very positive about the quality of the math education programs that we offer at UNK and the instruction that they received here.

Two of the five individuals commented that the program could have included a stronger technology component.
1998-99 ASSESSMENT
The survey will be distribute in the Fall of 1999.
1997-98 ASSESSMENT
The survey will be distributed in 2000.
1996-97 ASSESSMENT
The survey was sent to 91 graduates from fall 1990 through summer 1993 from all the programs offered by the Department. We had a return rate of 38.5% despite the questionnaire being brief and returnable by email in addition to regular postal service.

Many identified weakness in the area of technology. citing not enough use of computers and calculators. The department is addressing this by including more use of technology in all our classes. including use of graphing calculators as well as the computer lab which is now linked to the internet. The methods class will be incorporating use of the internet. In addition, several classes are using internet technology for class participation, such as posting assignments.

Education graduates suggested a second methods course. The MAA opposes two methods courses in secondary math education programs, especially if the inclusion of a second Methods course is done at the expense of a content course. On the other hand, the need for such a course is generally accepted within the department, but the constraints of hours within the teaching degree mean that something would have to be discontinued to add this course. Although no solution is apparent, the faculty has sought a creative solution that would solve the dilemma and will continue to do so.

Other comments indicated that some graduates expect the mathematics major to prepare the student for the job market. Rather, it is designed to serve as a supporting major for students with majors in areas like computer science, physics, or chemistry, or it prepares students for graduate school. The department will seek to address this issue in student advising.

1995-96 ASSESSMENT

assessment home | department means | department home

17 May 2005
academicpublications@unk.edu

17 May 2005
academicpublications@unk.edu