Assessment Terminology

The following terms have specific meanings at George Fox.  Please contact Academic Affairs for clarification or questions.

Mission

Concise statement of the purpose of an institution, college or program, giving direction to its practices.

Goal

Broad, general statement of what the program intends to accomplish.

SMART Goal

Specific, measurable, agreed upon, realistic and time-based.

Outcome

Result or consequence actually attained. Can be measured or assessed. Learning outcomes focus on what the student knows or is able to do at end of a program (or course).
[Note: Use instead of “Objective”, which is input-oriented]

Competency

Demonstrated capacity to perform the special demands or requirements of particular situations. Commonly used in professional programs.

Target

Indicator of success as measured by specific assessment tool.