Iowa State University

Annual Review and Evaluation of Student Progress


In order to insure consistent and timely progress through the graduate program, students are evaluated periodically in terms of their performance and accomplishments. The philosophy regarding such evaluations is based on an interactive model. That is, there is an on-going communication between student and faculty (POS committee and graduate faculty). Inherent in this model is the assumption that there is mutual input and involvement of student and faculty in the evaluation process. As a result, a student should be fully informed of any evaluative information. These evaluations are meant to allow both the faculty and student to assess and acknowledge performance in terms of quality and progress. Clear indications of excellence or deficiency need to be noted. Ideally, evaluations should provide students with an informed commentary on their progress allowing students to optimize their approach to graduate education.

 

Procedure for Performance Evaluation


* By October 1
: Student and major professor jointly prepare a written "Performance Goals and Evaluation" statement (see form later in this section) for the academic year.

The goals should take into consideration the recommended progression of activities outlined in the next section "CHECKLIST AND TIMETABLE" as well as individualized goals.

This statement is mutually discussed and agreed upon as is indicated by both student and major professor signatures. Both student and major professor will retain a copy of the statement.

* Last Week Fall Classes: Student and major professor meet to review performance and progress toward goals and provide brief comments on the form as to the progress and/or changes (e.g., on-course, redefinition of goal).

* By First Monday in April: In preparation for the spring review, the Graduate Program Committee will direct the faculty to forward to each student's major professor information on course work, research involvement and other professional experiences of relevance.


Student and major professor will meet for final review and discussion of performance and progress toward goals. Written evaluation, comments, and signatures are provided on the statement form.

The major professor will then complete the "Annual Spring Review Summary Report" that will serve as the primary report for the spring review of students’ performances. This report will include relevant background information, a chronological record of graduate study "milestones," a listing of core courses completed andgrades earned, core course GPA, cumulative GPA, a summary of research activity, a summary of practica and other professional experience, and summary comments from the major professor noting deficiencies or areas needing improvement. Finally, a recommendation regarding the student’s continuance in the program will be made. Possible recommendations include continuation, probation, and dismissal. Both the major professor and the student will sign the form, indicating that they have reviewed and discussed the information. If a student believes that important information has been omitted or is incorrect even after discussion with the major professor, he or she may submit a supplementary written report to the chair of the Graduate Program Committee by the Monday of "dead week."


* By Third Monday in April
: All summary reports for students will be delivered to the chair of the Graduate Program Committee to be incorporated into a booklet. The booklets will be distributed to all faculty members with the information in these booklets treated as confidential.

NOTE: At any time during the academic year, any faculty member may provide feedback or concern relevant to a student's performance and progress directly to a student and a student's major professor. Thisinformation will be addressed in the discussions between student and major professor as outlined above and as needed.


* Spring Review-- Monday (3-5) and Friday (12-2) of Final Week
: At each spring review, the summary sheet and recommendation submitted by a student’s major professor will be reviewed and discussed by the graduate faculty in the department. Following discussion, faculty will vote on the recommendation regarding continuation. If the recommendation does not receive majority support, a new recommendation will be entertained and voted on.

Within one week of the review, the major professor will forward to the student a written report of the faculty’s action and qualitative feedback. In cases of negative actions (probation or dismissal), the student also will receive a letter from the chair of the Graduate Program Committee confirming the action of the faculty and specifying the reasons for dismissal or the following information about deficiencies resulting in probation.

1) the nature of the deficiency as perceived by the faculty

2) what actions are needed to rectify the deficiency

3) the deadline for rectifying the deficiency

4) the penalty for failing to meet the stated criteria

In cases of students whose performance is judged to be substandard, the recommendation is generally that the student's status in the program be terminated.


Appeal of Recommendation

Any student has the right to a view contrary to the graduate faculty's recommendation and to due process in consideration of that view. A student may request a reconsideration of a dismissal or probation.

An appeal of the spring review decision must address issues raised in the report of results by the major professor (see previous section). This report along with the student's written comments and relevant information should be submitted to the department chair and to the student's POS committee. The department chair will charge the student's POS committee with the task of investigation and reconsideration of the decision in lightof the student's comments. If the student and/or the department chair feel that the student's POS committee cannot handle the appeal impartially, the department chair will appoint an ad hoc committee of not less than three graduate faculty members to reconsider the case.

Following a reasonable period of time for investigation and reconsideration, which should not exceed two weeks, the review committee (either POS or ad hoc) must present the student's request with the investigation results to the department chair and graduate faculty with a recommendation for a specific decision for action. The student must be informed in writing within 48 hours of the resulting decision with explanation for the basis of that decision made by the faculty.


PERFORMANCE GOALS AND EVALUATION

Name: ___________________________________________ Current Academic Year: _______________________

Year in Program: __________ Area: ___________________________ Advisor: ____________________________

Fall Semester Goals Final Comments & Evaluation:

Course work:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Seminars:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Practicum:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Research:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Additional Goals:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Fall GPA: ___________________________

Signatures:

(Beginning of Fall) (End of Fall)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

(Student) (Date) (Student) (Date)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

(Major Professor) (Date) (Major Professor) (Date)

Spring Semester Goals Final Comments & Evaluation:

Course work:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Seminars:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Practicum:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Research:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Additional Goals:

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Spring GPA: _________________________

Cum. GPA: __________________________

Recommendations: (may include goals for summer)___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Signatures:

(Beginning of Spring) (End of Spring)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Student) (Date) (Student) (Date)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

(Major Professor) (Date) (Major Professor) (Date)

a:\Forms\Perform


Annual Student Review Summary Report


Name
: _______________ SS#: _______________ Area: _______________

Entered: __________ Prior BA / BS: _________________ Prior MA / MS / SP: _____________

Approved Leave(s): __________ Withdrew/Dismissed: __________ Re-entered: __________

English Exam Passed: __________

MS / SP

Major Professor(s):_______________

Date Approved:_______________

POS Committee Approved:_______________

Members: _______________ _______________ _______________

POS Approved:_______________

Thesis Proposal Accepted:_______________

MS/SP Coursework Completed:_______________

Thesis Defense (Date/Outcome):_______________

Continuation to Ph.D. (Date/Outcome):_______________

SP Internship Site:____________________________________________________________________

Dates of Internship:___________________________________________________________________

Thesis Title:__________________________________________________________________________

MS/SP Conferred:________________

Ph.D.

Major Professor(s):_________________________________________

Date Approved:______________________

POS Committee Approved: _______________

Members: ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

POS Approved:_________________

Ph.D. Coursework Completed:_________________

Written Prelim (Date/Outcome):_________________

Oral Prelim (Date/Outcome):___________________________

Dissertation Proposal Accepted:_________________

Dissertation Data Collected:_________________

Dissertation Defense (Date/Outcome):___________________________

Ph.D. Internship Site:___________________________________________________________________

Dates of Internship:___________________________________________________________________

Dissertation Title:_____________________________________________________________________

Ph.D. Conferred:________________________

First position:_______________________________________________________________________

GRADES IN ISU CORE COURSES

Cumulative Record: Date: Total Cr: GPA:

I. 511____ 517____ 519____ VI. 601____ Phil 380____ Phil 381_____

II. 512____ 514____ 516____ HDFS 631____ VII. 633____

III. 580____ 581____ Stat 401____ Stat 402____

IV. 530____ 560____ 561____ HDFS 502____ Research Meth (course/grade): ______________

V. 533____ 542____ 550____ 551____ 621____ Core GPA:____________

MS/SP Requirements: Stat 401 & methods course; 3 courses from the first 5 core groups (2 of 3 in Psych Dept).

PhD Requirements: Stat 401 & 402 & methods course; 1 course from 5 of 7 core groups; 12 credits outside Psych.

Annual Student Review - Page 2


Student's Intended Career Setting if Known:

 

 

Research:

Briefly describe current and previous research projects (e.g., by title). Identify projects that are in addition to degree-fulfilling activities (i.e., not thesis or dissertation) with an asterisk. List any publications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practica/Professional Experience:

Describe practica performance and professional experiences. Indicate strengths and weaknesses regarding social maturity, interpersonal skills, professional relationships, ethics, applied competencies, response to supervision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Professor's Comments on this Student:

If continuation is recommended, indicate suggestions for improvement if appropriate. If probation is being recommended, indicate the reasons and specify the criteria that the student must meet and the dates by which they must be met. If dismissal is recommended, state clearly the reasons for this recommendation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recommendation:

______ Continue in program

______ Place student on probation

______ Dismiss student

  

______________________________________ _____________________________________________

Major Professor's signature Student's signature