University Office of Evaluation and Educational Effectiveness

Performance Criteria

For each program objective, one or more performance criteria will be used to determine the level of performance necessary to determine that the program objective has been satisfied.

Performance criteria must be identified prior to the collection and analysis of assessment data. When setting performance criteria, it can be tempting to set unreasonably high “nothing but the best” standards or to set unreasonably low “guaranteed to show success” standards. Both of these practices can be defeating. Over time, it is far more beneficial to a program and its students to set reasonable expectations and work toward meeting them.

One primary performance criterion is required for each measure, but you may choose to include a secondary performance criterion.

A primary performance criterion will state that “at least xx% of students will perform at or above (some level of performance on your measure).”

A secondary performance criterion for the same measure will state that, “no more than xx% of students will perform at or below (some level of performance on your measure).”

The use of primary as well as secondary performance criteria can provide richer information about student learning that can inform decisions about needed improvements, and does not require additional work by program faculty.

Examples:

Primary Performance Criterion For MS JPS Program Outcome (MS JPS graduates will be able to write appropriate enforcement policies.)

At least 80% of MS JPS students will earn an overall rating of 3 or higher on the policy development comprehensive exam item.

Secondary Performance Criterion for MS JPS program objective

No more than 10% of MS JPS students will earn an overall rating of 2 or lower on the policy development comprehensive exam item.