Office of Assessment and Curriculum
Assessment Mission
and Vision
The Purpose of Assessment at Diné College
The 2020 edition of the Diné College Assessment Handbook defined assessment as “a continuous cycle of self-evaluation and self-reflection” and its purpose “to transform and enhance the quality of learning, instruction, curriculum, and institutional effectiveness.” These statements about what assessment is and aims to achieve effectively capture the college’s faculty, staff, and administrators’ commitment to student success.
Diné College Educational Philosophy and Assessment
Nihina’nitin, Są’ah Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhóón bił hadít’éego, dóó índa Diné yee iiná ííł’ínígi át’éego nahasdzáán bikáa’gi dóó yádiłhił biyaagi bohónéedzánígi át’éego yee hiná. Díí binahjį’ t’áá ałtsodę́ę́’ bik’í hwiinít’į́į’go bitah yá’áhoot’éehgo yee iiná ííł’į́į dooleeł.
Our educational principles are based on Są’ah Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhóón, the Diné traditional living system, which places human life in. harmony with the natural world and universe. The system provides for protection from the imperfections in life and for the development of well-being. The principles are four-fold:
- Nitsáhákees. Thinking. Baa nitsídzíkees. Apply the techniques of reasoning. Analyze alternative solutions through the use of the principles of logic and creativity.
- Nahat’á. Planning. Nahat’á anitsíkees bee yáti’ dóó ííshjání óolzin. Develop and demonstrate communication skills. Nahat’á nahaaldeeł. Demonstrate systematic organization skills.
- Iiná. Implementation. T’áá hó ájít’éego hózhǫ́ǫgo oodááł. Demonstrate self-direction based on personal values consistent with the moral standards of society. T’áá hó ájít’éego hózhǫ́ǫgo oonish. Demonstrate quality, participation, work, and materials.
- Reflection and assurance. Siihasingo oodááł. Demonstrate competency. Siihasin nahaaldeeł. Demonstrate confidence.
The Office of Assessment and Curriculum, in partnership with Student Affairs, added Oodlah (Commitment) and Ayoo iinii (Accountability) to the academic and co-curricular assessment cycle to “close the loop”.
Assessment Handbook (Link)
Important Dates 2026
TBD
General Education Mission Statement
Hooghandóó dóó Adahwiis’áágóó óhoo’ą́ą́’ yee náásdoogááł. The purpose of the Diné College General Education curriculum is to act as a bridge to the broader world that is built upon a foundation of Diné history, language, and culture. The General Education curriculum enables students to pursue their academic and professional aspirations. Students will explore experiences that consider diverse world views, philosophies, cultures, and contemporary life that is consistent with the principles contained within Sá’ąh Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhóón. This educational bridge consists of the student’s ability to write clearly, think critically, speak effectively, reason mathematically, and creative self-expression that promotes social and personal responsibility, ethical reasoning, and civic knowledge and engagement to address local and global issues.
General Education Assessment Process Map
APR Directory
The Purpose of Academic Program Reviews at Diné College
The purpose of Academic Program Reviews (APR) at Diné College (DC) is to assess evaluate the quality, viability, and effectiveness of academic programs within each academic school, on a 4-year cycle comprehensively. Dine College conducts APRs through an internal, faculty-driven self-study, use of an external reviewer, and comprehensive evaluation that involves a strategic action plan. The APR process is intended to provide a thorough evaluation of the programs specific needs by examining its history, current status, and future goals that incorporate alignment to Dine College’s mission. In addition, the faculty-driven self-study examines activities and achievements since its last program review while also identifying strengths and weaknesses in its curricula and pedagogy; assessment of programs student learning; provides an analysis of faculty status, performance, contribution and support; an overview of resource availability and needs. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the program review should allow the academic program, in conjunction with the institution, to build on existing strengths, maximize opportunities for growth and innovatively problem solve.
The review process at Diné College is designed to demonstrate alignment with educational standards as required by our accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission. Additionally, an academic program review is intended to facilitate degree program improvements and implement long-‐term strategic planning for the benefit of its students.
Academic Program Review Handbook
