Weber State University   

CHF - Family Studies

Results of Assessment

1999-2000 (submitted 04/03/01)

    Family Studies developed eleven outcome standards for Family Studies Majors based on the National Council on Family Relations standards and minimum requirements for the "Certified Family Life Educator" credential. The following data were collected under selected standards:

Family Studies Major graduates will have a knowledge base and related skills that address:

1. Internal Dynamics of Families
   • to be measured by the satisfactory completion of:
     1. Genogram/Self-Analysis: 77 students completed "A" quality analyses
     2. APA research paper: 24 students completed intensive analyses in APA format
     3. Interviews: 78/78 students performed "A" level interviews
2. Human Growth and Development Over the Lifespan
   • to be measured by the satisfactory completion of age group interviews: 25 students completed satisfactory age group interviews and course application papers
3. Family Resource Management
   • to be measured by the satisfactory completion of:
     1. A consumer complaint letter: 25/26 students wrote an "A" quality letters
     2. Personal and family mission statements: 78/78 students completed "A" quality mission statements
     3. Personal financial analysis and plan: 49/63 students completed "A" quality plans
4. Parent Education and Guidance
   • to be measured by the satisfactory completion of group presentations on parenting models: 6 quality group presentations on 6 models of parenting were completed and presented in class; each included informative handout packets
5. Family Law and Public Policy
   • to be measured by the satisfactory completion of a capstone APA research paper: 24 students completed 6 quality policy reaction papers
6. Ethics
   • to be measured by the satisfactory completion of:
     1. Values clarification project: 61/68 students completed "A" quality projects
     2. Creation of a personal code of ethics and philosophy paper: 24/24 students completed "A" quality papers
     3. Creation of an ethical behaviors teaching plan: 24/24 students completed A quality plans
7. Family Life Education Methodology
   • to be measured by the satisfactory completion of the design and presentation of a two-part workshop and the creation of a workshop packet: 54 students completed two session workshops, which were submitted for approval or re-write and were presented in the community and a completed accompanying informational packets
8. Professional Development
   • to be measured by the satisfactory completion of:
     1. An paper written in correct APA format: 23/24 students completed an "A" quality paper
     2. Active participation in professional or student organizations:
        • 8 students joined NCFR
        • 8 students attended the national NCFR conference in November 1999, in Irvine CA
        • 20 students joined the Utah Council of NCFR
        • 20 students attended the UCFR conference in March, 2000 at BYU
        • 9 students served as Child and Family Studies Student Organization officers for 1999-2000
        • 12 students were active in CFSSA for 1999-2000
     3. Family Studies graduated 30 majors in December, 1999; and 25 majors in May, 2000.

As a result of these data, the following changes were made:

1. The Family Studies Major will be offered in three semesters rather than four.
2. Faculty course loads were reconfigured to match a three semester program.
3. A practicum requirement was approved for the Family Studies Major and implemented for the 2000 fall semester cohort of students.
4. ChFam 3350 "Diversities Within Families" was approved as a university diversity course.
5. The Family Studies outcomes document was refined to follow the National Council on Family Relations certification standards.
6. The National Council on Family Relations endorsed the WSU outcomes document and published these standards in a document titled, Tools for Ethical Thinking and Practice in Family Life Education, to be distributed by NCFR to its membership and other interested parties.
7. A Portfolio Packet was created to define the parameters for a student-created outcomes document and this was distributed to Cohort #11 students Autumn Semester, 2000 and Cohort #12 students Spring Semester, 2001. It has been previewed by students in the Family Studies Seminar and the Senior Seminar.

Mission Statement / Student Learning Outcomes / Curriculum Grid / Assessment Plan / Contact Person