All courses in the University Core Curriculum must report student learning outcomes and methods for assessing them. The original assessment cycle indicated that outcomes were assessed at least once every two years by the course faculty. Data collection, data analysis, and improvement actions were needed for every semester date were collected within that time span. Additionally, follow-ups to describe the implementation of improvement actions and append related evidence were required for all improvement actions starting Academic Year 2016-17.
Since 2019-20, the assessment cycle has shifted to align with the assessment of academic programs and certificates. Now data are to be collected every year and improvement actions are developed based on the compilation and analysis of two years of data for each course. Final reports are submitted to the University Core Curriculum Oversight Committee (UCCOC) for review.
All of the learning outcomes identified in the course must align to their designated disciplinary area of content knowledge. The UCCOC review process involves determining whether the learning outcomes, direct and indirect measures (student assignments), and assessment methods identified in each course are pertinent to their designated content knowledge area.
Starting 2019-20, a minimum of three outcomes are required for each course. The outcomes should be tied to course objectives and will be labeled as the following competency areas (depending on course content, not all competencies are necessary and/or applicable):
- Critical Thinking – think critically, analytically, and creatively with the skills and ability to problem-solve, assess, compare, contrast, incorporate, and synthesize knowledge and information;
- Written Communication – in writing organize and clearly express knowledge and ideas using proper conventions, mechanics, formats, tone, grammar and syntax that appropriately address the intended audience and are congruent to the discipline or subject matter;
- Oral Communication – verbally organize and clearly express knowledge and ideas using proper conventions, mechanics, formats, tone, grammar and syntax that appropriately address the intended audience and are congruent to the discipline or subject matter; or
- Content/Discipline Knowledge – identify, understand, and utilize foundational and advanced concepts, facts, theories, techniques, and formulas quintessential to the discipline.
Modalities
All modalities, online, hybrid, and off-campus dual enrollment, must be assess separately. The outcomes and methods should be the same or equivalent, however, their results, improvement strategies, and follow-ups should reported separately by delivery modality. If the course is offered as an off-campus dual enrollment course at a high school, the high school must be clearly identified in the results, use of results improvement actions, and follow-ups. All sampling procedures must be clearly defined in the methods section.
For detailed information on the assessment requirements: