Department of Mathematics Goals, Measures, and Plan for Assessment

Overall Educational Mission: All students at Carthage College have mathematical ability which can be developed in a way to enable them to function with reasonable thinking and computational skills. Our goal is to aid in the development of such skills.

Goals	Assessment Methods	Use of Results
For all students
The ability to recognize situations in their lives to which mathematics applies.	Pre- and post-testing of entry-level students, correlated with Placement Exam. Survey of all students, asking for behavioral and perceptual responses.	Test scores and survey results will be examined by the entire mathematics department. Adjustments will be made in course syllabi and teaching methodologies to address weaknesses indicated by the above.
The ability to formulate a situation in mathematical terms.	Same as above.	Same as above.
Development of problem-solving skills.	Same as above.	Same as above.

Department of Mathematics Goals and Measures, continued

Overall Educational Mission: Graduates with a major in mathematics will have a familiarity with pure and applied mathematics, will have engaged in a research-oriented activity and will have a broad knowledge of mathematics.

Goals	Assessment Methods	Use of Results
For major and minor students
Skill in establishing mathematical proof.	Evaluation of student journal articles.	Journal articles will be examined by the entire mathematics department. Adjustments will be made in course syllabi and teaching methodologies to address weaknesses indicated by the above.
Better ability to pursue independent work and more students pursuing independent research.	Examine records on number of Independent Study registrations and evaluation of written work produced in them. Evaluation of student journal articles.	Records on independent studies will be examined by the department chair, and discussed with individual faculty members. Journal articles will be examined by the entire mathematics department. Concerns involving independent research in the department will be addressed.
Skill in oral and written presentation of technical work.	Evaluation of student oral presentations in class and at state and national meetings. Evaluation of student journal articles.	Faculty attending state and national meetings will meet and compare our students’ performances with those of other institutions, and recommendations will be made to improve our program. Journal articles will be examined by the entire mathematics department. Concerns involving communication skills will be addressed.
Facility with technology.	Evaluation of student journal articles for evidence of technology use.	Journal articles will be examined by the entire mathematics department. Adjustments will be made in course syllabi and teaching methodologies to address weaknesses indicated by the above.

Department of Mathematics Goals and Measures, continued

Overall Educational Mission: The mathematics department aims to serve the students, the Natural Science Division and the Carthage College to the best of its ability.

Goals	Assessment Methods	Use of Results
For the Department
Increased enrollment of majors until the department consistently graduates ten majors per year.	Examine enrollment records, including lists of potential majors.	Lists of majors and potential majors will kept by the department, in cooperation with the registrar.
Increased activity and visibility in the state and national mathematical communities.	Examine records of faculty activity.	Examined by department chair in consultation with individual faculty members.
Success of graduates seeking employment in mathematics-related fields and success of graduates in graduate schools.	Maintain contact with students after graduation and keep records of their progress. Survey math alumni, possibly through all-college alumni survey.	Records kept by department chair, in cooperation with development office. Survey results will be examined by the entire mathematics department. Adjustments will be made in course syllabi and teaching methodologies to address weaknesses indicated by the above.