This message was sent to department chairs, academic program directors, directors of graduate programs and graduate coordinators from John Zumbrunnen, vice provost for teaching and learning.
All undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs are required to submit annual assessment reports through the online AEFIS portal by Friday, December 3, 2021. This annual reporting effort aligns with and supports the goals of the university’s Institutional Plan for Assessing Student Learning and program review requirements.
We are again offering an alternative to the traditional assessment report as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. See below for details on the two options. Programs are asked to complete one of the options to fulfill the reporting requirement by December 3.
Alternative Assessment Report Option:
This option presents the opportunity for programs to reflect on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote instruction and remote academic advising on student learning and the student academic experience related to at least one of the program’s student learning outcomes. We invite programs to select at least one of their program learning outcomes and reflect broadly on how the transition to remote instruction had an impact on student learning in regard to that outcome.
Examples of guiding questions for this exercise might be:
- In what ways did instructors pivot their emphasis of course learning outcomes to ensure student achievement of programmatic expectations?
- How did the department come together to decide “what is important” in regard to student learning in that short period of time?
- What positive changes were made to accommodate for remote instruction that the program will continue in a traditional environment?
- What would the program do differently in regard to helping students achieve this outcome if given the opportunity?
Given this reflection, conclude with how the program adapted/plans to adapt to the changing landscape of instruction with student achievement of the learning outcome at the forefront. Also, highlight any summary data that may have been collected about the teaching and learning experience during the pandemic. You might elect this option if the program was not able to complete data collection for AY 20-21. We anticipate the reflection being no more than two pages.
Traditional Assessment Report Option:
This option follows the assessment reports submitted in the past, with all questions being the same. All assessment reports should: 1) identify which program learning outcomes were assessed, 2) outline what data was collected and how, and 3) summarize the key findings and recommendations. Information on how to prepare and submit a report through the AEFIS assessment management system is presented on the assessment website. You might elect this option if the program was able to complete data collection for AY 20-21.
If you have any questions, would like to request an extension beyond December 3, or if members of your department would like to schedule a consultation regarding the reporting process or other assessment topics, please contact Regina Lowery, senior assessment coordinator (regina.lowery@wisc.edu). To view your department’s assessment plans, please visit the Google repository.