title: Impact of outcome-based assessment on student learning and faculty instructional practices.
abstract: Increased accountability has been a catalyst for the reformation of curriculum and assessment practices in postsecondary schools throughout North America, including veterinary schools. There is a call for a shift in assessment practices in clinical rotations, from a focus on content to a focus on assessing student performance. Learning is subsequently articulated in terms of observable outcomes and indicators that describe what the learner can do after engaging in a learning experience. The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which a competency-based program in an early phase of implementation impacted student learning and faculty instructional practices. Findings revealed that negative student perceptions of the assessment instrument's reliability had a detrimental effect on the face validity of the instrument and, subsequently, on students' engagement with competency-based assessment and promotion of student-centered learning. While the examination of faculty practices echoed findings from other studies that cited the need for faculty development to improve rater reliability and for a better data management system, our study found that faculty members' instructional practices improved through the alignment of instruction and curriculum. This snap-shot of the early stages of implementing a competency-based program has been instrumental in refining and advancing the program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE Canada. sdawson@upei.ca
authors.forename: Susan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Tess
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Sally F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: Lisa Maag
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D004520:Education, Veterinary / Q000592:standards; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000592:standards; D017144:Focus Groups; D011325:Prince Edward Island; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires