Assessment—Course Assessment

Our course-level assessment approach focuses on aligning assignments and course activities to measure students’ achievement of course learning outcomes. Faculty follow these steps when conducting course-level assessment:

1. Identify the course learning outcome.
   Determine exactly what students should know or be able to do.
2. Align the assessment.
   Select an assignment, exam component, performance, project, clinical experience, presentation, or other artifact that demonstrates the outcome.
3. Establish criteria for success.
   Use a rubric, scoring guide, benchmark, or other defined criteria.
4. Assess student work.
   Faculty evaluate an appropriate sample or cohort of student artifacts.
5. Analyze the findings.
   Look beyond percentages. Faculty should ask where students are succeeding, where they are struggling, and whether patterns suggest curricular or instructional issues.
6. Act on the evidence and reassess.
   Faculty may change an assignment, instructional strategy, prerequisite, course sequence, learning activity, or curriculum and then examine whether student achievement improves.