UK Core Assessment

Course instructors identify assignments for assessment and map them to UK Core student learning outcomes in the Canvas Learning Management System. Instructors may provide a single assignment or multiple assignments that collectively address all of the learning outcomes. See Resources for UK Core mapping instructions.

OSPIE pulls student work (artifacts) from Canvas and provides a random sample of artifacts for evaluators. Artifacts are extracted and scored twice, annually, for the Core areas scheduled for assessment based on the cycle.

Working with the UKCEC and appropriate area experts, OSPIE identifies individuals to undertake assessment, provide an orientation for those individuals, and facilitate the assessment process. Evaluators are selected based on their familiarity with the UK Core area being assessed as well as their experience in teaching UK Core courses. Effort is made to recruit evaluators that reflect the colleges and types of individuals responsible for teaching Core courses in each area being assessed.

OSPIE analyzes the data from the assessment and shares an aggregate report including all data with the UKCEC. In addition, OSPIE prepares department-level reports with course-level data. These are shared as appropriate with department chairs, school directors, and associate deans where UK Core courses are offered by academic units.

Department chairs and Directors of Undergraduate Studies receive a request from the UKCEC to complete a brief report on changes made to their Core courses in response to the departmental assessment reports they received. These reports, as well as an overall summary report on the course and departmental changes, are provided by OSPIE to the UKCEC for review and action. The UKCEC makes appropriate recommendations for UK Core improvements to the Undergraduate Council and the Curricular Process for consideration.

The UK Core Assessment Process is outlined in more detail in the revised UK Core Assessment Plan.