The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) utilizes a variety of evaluation methods to assess the program, the students, and the instructors. Every year, the evaluations are summarized and compared against the mission and goals of the ATEP. Constant monitoring of the ATEP allows the administration to recognize areas of strength and weakness and make any necessary changes to improve the overall quality of the program.
Athletic Training Student Evaluations
The Athletic Training Student Evaluations are designed to provide the student and the Clinical Instructor with a tool to measure the student's progress at each level. Each evaluation contains a list of general characteristics that are considered important for success as a Certified Athletic Trainer. The evaluation of these characteristics is intended to be formative. When areas for potential growth are identified, the ACI and student develop strategies to facilitate development in the targeted area. Each evaluation also contains a list of level specific skills. These are skills that are directly correlated with the learning objectives and specific coursework for that level. Each semester, the Clinical Instructor completes two evaluations. The first evaluation occurs at mid-term. Once the Clinical Instructor has completed the evaluation form, they meet with the student to discuss their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. This evaluation is scheduled at mid-term to give the student an opportunity to make adjustments and improve their areas of weakness before the final evaluation. The final evaluation occurs in the last two weeks of the semester. After completing the evaluation, the Clinical Instructor meets with the student to discuss their progress. Students must receive a 3/5 on each level-dependent skill included in the evaluation in order to progress to the next level. All evaluations are completed on the ATSA website. A printed copy is signed by the student and the Clinical Instructor at the time of evaluation. One copy of the evaluation is given to the student, and another copy is stored in the student's permanent file in the office of the Director of the Athletic Training Education Program. The average ATSE scores for General Characteristics and Level Dependent skills are calculated each semester for the entire ATEP. Any General Characteristic or Level Dependent skill with a semester average less than 3.1/5.0 is compared with other assessments to determine if trends indicate a deficiency. Download the Athletic Training Student Evaluation form (pdf format).
Clinical Instructor Evaluations
Each semester, the students are asked to evaluate their Clinical
Instructor. The purpose of the evaluations is to provide the Clinical
Instructors and the Program Director with feedback regarding their teaching
effectiveness. After all evaluations are collected, the Program Director tallies
the information for each Clinical Instructor. After the Clinical Instructor has
read the evaluations, they will meet with the Program Director to discuss areas
of strength and weakness along with any changes that need to be made to improve
instruction. A copy of the tally sheet for each Clinical Instructor is
maintained in the CI evaluation folder in the office of the Director of the
ATEP. Any score skill with a semester average less than 3.1/5.0 is compared with
other assessments to determine if trends indicate a deficiency. Download a
Clinical Instructor
evaluation form (Microsoft excel format).
Practicum score
Once accepted into the ATEP, students enroll in one Practicum course each
semester, for six semesters. Each
Practicum course is designed to assess the student’s performance on the
competencies and proficiencies taught in the previous semester’s classes.
The competencies and proficiencies are assessed in a one-on-one format
with an Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI).
The score for each competency and proficiency is based on a 5.0 scale and
determined by specific, documented criteria.
Proficiency scores are recorded and accessible on the ATSA website.
Students must receive a 3/5 on each skill before they can progress to the
next Practicum course. Students
receiving a grade lower than 3/5 must repeat the skill until that grade is
achieved. All attempts and grades
are recorded on the ATSA website.
The average proficiency scores in each content area are calculated for each
semester for the entire ATEP. Any
content area with a semester average less than 3.1/5.0 is compared with other
assessments to determine if trends indicate a deficiency.
Program Evaluations
Each semester, the students are asked to evaluate their experiences and education in the ATEP. The purpose of these evaluations is to provide the program and the ATEP Program Director with feedback regarding the student’s experience. After all evaluations are collected, the ATEP Program Director summarizes the information. Once the information is summarized, the ATEP faculty reviews the feedback together and determines whether any immediate changes need to be made. Any score skill with a semester average less than 3.1/5.0 is compared with other content assessments to determine if trends indicate a deficiency. In an annual meeting with the Chair of the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, the ATEP Director will discuss the previous two semesters and develop a strategic plan addressing any limitations identified. Download a program evaluation form (Microsoft excel format).
Graduate Surveys
Graduate surveys are conducted after each student has graduated and is
employed in their first job or attending further education. These surveys are
done via e-mail. The results of the survey are immediately tallied in a database
program. The Program Director reviews the results of each survey and the survey
trends. Any survey score with an average less than “Good” is compared with other
assessments to determine if trends indicate a deficiency. The Program Director
prints and presents the most recent survey results to the Clinical Instructors
during the first Program Evaluation meeting. This group evaluates the results
and makes any suggested changes. The results of the graduate surveys are also
discussed at an annual meeting with the Chair of the Department of Health and
Exercise Sciences. The graduate survey is located at http://hes.truman.edu/atmaj/alumsurvey.asp.