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Curriculum Evaluation: An Outcomes Assessment of the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University
HortTechnology
  • Elizabeth Duncan, Iowa State University
  • Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Iowa State University
  • Cynthia L. Haynes, Iowa State University
  • Levon Esters, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
1-1-2008
Abstract

The Iowa State University undergraduate horticulture program has been nationally ranked as one of the best in the nation. Regular and systematic outcomes assessment is one means to evaluate the program for purposes of sustaining this level of excellence. The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of horticulture graduates to determine preparedness when entering the workforce, departmental effectiveness, and to evaluate how well graduates met departmental learner outcomes. A 59-question survey instrument was distributed electronically to a proportional sample of 221 horticulture alumni who graduated between 2000 and 2006. The response rate was 47%. Results showed that graduates found jobs quickly, and a majority (76.7%) noted that their first and current jobs were highly related to their degree. Furthermore, 41.8% rated themselves as adequately prepared, 37.9% as more than adequately prepared, and 15.5% as exceptionally well prepared for their first job. Respondents also ranked their abilities related to the 33 learner outcomes questions as good to excellent.

Comments

This is an article from HortTechnology 18 (2008): 524. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
American Society for Horticultural Science
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Elizabeth Duncan, Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Cynthia L. Haynes and Levon Esters. "Curriculum Evaluation: An Outcomes Assessment of the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University" HortTechnology Vol. 18 Iss. 3 (2008) p. 524 - 528
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/annmarie-vanderzanden/36/