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University Assessment Cycle

The assessment cycles for the university vary according to whether you are reporting on an administrative unit, a core curriculum course, or an academic unit (including academic programs, certificates, and Dean's offices). The academic year for reports is defined as summer, fall, and spring.

For Administrative Units, including centers and institutes, the assessment cycle is completed annually.  Every year reports will include assessment plans (updated Outcomes and Methods) as well as Results data and Use of Results for Improvement based on these data. Starting for improvement actions reported in 2017-18, subsequent reports will require a Follow-up with documentation proving the improvement action was implemented.

Timelines are vary by area in order to best fit patterns for goal planning and the execution of improvement strategies. All academic programs and courses collect data yearly, create improvement actions based on two years of data, and report on the implementation of improvements after one year of developing them. All administrative units (including centers and institutes), operate on a yearly cycle to mirror the fiscal year planning and reporting they conduct internally.

A detailed description of the timelines are described below:

  • Academic Programs, Certificates, and Dean's Offices Cycle

    Assessment Planning (Pre-Assessment Cycle)

    • Define outcomes
      Identify the student learning outcomes or unit outcomes to be assessed.
    • Outline assessment methods
      Determine how outcomes will be assessed, including curriculum mapping to identify where outcomes are scaffolded across the curriculum.

    First Year Actions

    • Review or revise the assessment plan
      Update the plan as needed and submit any revisions.
    • Collect data
      Gather evidence related to the identified outcomes.
    • Conduct Descriptive Analysis (Year 1 Snapshot)
      Summarize results for the current year to determine the extent to which outcomes were achieved. This includes:
      • Sample size (N) (if applicable)
      • Averages, percentages, and scores (including rubric indicators)
      • Percent/number meeting established criteria
    • Submit results
      Submit first-year assessment results by October 15 (or next business day).

    Second Year Actions

    • Collect data
      Continue gathering evidence using the same outcomes and methods.
    • Conduct Descriptive Analysis (Year 2 Snapshot)
      Summarize second-year results using the same approach as Year 1.
    • Conduct Trend Analysis (Two-Year Comparison)
      Analyze Year 1 and Year 2 results together to identify patterns and changes over time. This includes:
      • Direction of change (increase, decrease, or no change)
      • Magnitude and consistency of change
      • Interpretation of results across both years
      • Explanations of outliers
    • Develop improvement strategies
      Work with faculty to identify actions for improvement based on the trend analysis.
    • Submit results and use of results for improvement
      Submit Year 2 results, along with the trend analysis and use of results for improvement actions, by October 15 (or next business day).
    • Begin implementation of improvement strategies
      Initiate planned changes or improvements based on findings.

    Follow-up Actions

    • Submit follow-up report and related documentation
      Submit the follow-up one year after reporting the Use of Results for Improvement, on the same due date as the Year 1 results submission. Include:
      • Status of each Use of Results stated in the report including time of implementation
      • Documentation of implementation (e.g., revised assignments, updated rubrics, instructional changes)
      • Reflections on next steps or additional modifications as needed
  • General Education Course Cycle

    Assessment Planning (Pre-Assessment Cycle)

    • Define outcomes
      Identify the student learning outcomes to be assessed and ensure alignment with:

      • the core curriculum category (e.g., Mathematics, Social Sciences)
      • course objectives outlined in the syllabus
    • Outline assessment methods
      Determine how outcomes will be assessed by aligning outcomes to course assignments where competencies are measured. 

    First Year Actions

    • Review or revise the assessment plan
      Update the plan as needed and submit any revisions.
    • Collect data
      Gather evidence related to the identified outcomes.
    • Conduct Descriptive Analysis (Year 1 Snapshot)
      Summarize results for the current year to determine the extent to which outcomes were achieved. This includes:
      • Sample size (N)
      • Averages, percentages, and scores (including rubric indicators)
      • Percent/number meeting established criteria
    • Submit results
      Submit first-year assessment results by October 15 (or next business day).

    Second Year Actions

    • Collect data
      Continue gathering evidence using the same outcomes and methods across course sections.
    • Conduct Descriptive Analysis (Year 2 Snapshot)
      Summarize second-year results using the same approach as Year 1.
    • Conduct Trend Analysis (Two-Year Comparison)
      Analyze Year 1 and Year 2 results together to identify patterns and changes over time. This includes:
      • Direction of change (increase, decrease, or no change)
      • Magnitude and consistency of change
      • Interpretation of results across both years
      • Explanations of outliers or variations across sections
    • Develop improvement strategies
      Work with faculty to identify actions for improvement based on the trend analysis. Strategies should consider course-level implementation and consistency across sections, where applicable.
    • Submit results and use of results for improvement
      Submit Year 2 results, along with the trend analysis and improvement actions, by October 15 (or next business day).
    • Begin implementation of improvement strategies
      Initiate planned changes or improvements based on findings.

    Follow-up Actions

    • Submit follow-up report and related documentation

      Submit the follow-up one year after reporting the Use of Results for Improvement, on the same due date as the Year 1 results submission. Include:

      • Status of each Use of Results stated in the report including time of implementation
      • Documentation of implementation (e.g., revised assignments, updated rubrics, instructional changes)
      • Reflections on next steps or additional modifications as needed
  • Administrative Units and Center/Institutes Cycle

    Assessment Planning (Pre-Assessment Cycle)

    • Define outcomes
      Identify the administrative or operational outcomes to be assessed. Outcomes should reflect unit effectiveness, service quality, efficiency, or stakeholder impact.

    • Outline Methods of assessing outcomes
      Determine how outcomes will be assessed, including identification of data sources (e.g., surveys, operational metrics, system data, process indicators) and how performance will be measured.

    Yearly Actions

    • Review or revise the assessment plan
      Update the plan as needed and submit any revisions.
    • Collect data
      Gather evidence related to the identified outcomes throughout the fiscal year.
    • Conduct Descriptive Analysis (Yearly Snapshot)
      Summarize results for the current year to determine the extent to which outcomes were achieved. This includes:
      • sample size (N), where applicable
      • totals, averages, percentages, or rates
      • comparison to established benchmarks or targets
    • Conduct Comparative or Trend Analysis (Contextual Interpretation)
      Interpret results in context by comparing current-year data to prior year(s), benchmarks, or expected performance levels. This includes:
      • direction of change (increase, decrease, or no change)
      • comparison to prior year results or targets
      • identification of patterns, gaps, or areas of concern
      • explanation of notable changes or outliers
    • Develop improvement strategies
      Identify and prioritize actions for improvement based on the analysis.
    • Submit results and use of results for improvement
      Submit the yearly results, including both descriptive findings and comparative/trend interpretation, along with planned improvement actions.
    • Begin implementation of improvement strategies
      Initiate planned changes or process improvements based on findings.

    Follow-up Actions

    • Submit Follow-ups and Related Documentation after one year
      Submit the follow-up one year after reporting the Use of Results for Improvement. Include:
      • Status of each Use of Results stated in the report including time of implementation
      • Documentation of implementation (e.g., revised assignments, updated rubrics, instructional changes)
      • Reflections on next steps or additional modifications as needed