Estimated Timeline for Learning Outcomes Assessment with CTL
The timeline for the full assessment process is provided below. Note that departments that complete this process in one academic year will only be able to collect data from courses that run in a single term (fall or spring). This diagram/table reflects the ideal timeline of a 1.5 year or three semester process.
| Number | Step | Action Items | Timing (Academic Term) * | Timing (Months) * |
| 1 | Build Partnerships | Confirm participation in the optional CTL partnership Participate in an initial meeting between CTL and major department stakeholders | ~3 semesters before | 18 months before |
| 2 | Identify and Prioritize Student Learning Outcomes | Share program-level student learning outcomes (SLOs) As needed, revise and update SLOs Select 2-3 SLOs to focus on during learning assessment process Identify relevant capstone/culminating course experiences for students in the program | ~2-3 semesters before | 15-18 months before |
| 3 | Identify Direct Measures of Student Learning | Communicate between CTL team and instructors of identified courses Identify relevant coursework (i.e. assignment) where students demonstrate selected SLOs Develop an aligned rubric for the chosen SLOs and chosen coursework via iterative revision between CTL team and department | ~2-3 semesters before | 12-15 months before |
| 4 | Collect Direct Measures of Student Learning | Build Canvas rubric to use in the relevant bCourses sites Train instructors and any teaching team members to evaluate student work using the provided rubric within Canvas | ~1-2 semesters before | 6-12 months before |
| 5 | Analyze Direct Measures of Student Learning | Score evidence of student learning by evaluating submitted coursework against the provided rubric ** Pull rubric evaluation data from Canvas to analyze patterns of achievement for each SLO | ~1-2 semesters before | 6-12 months before |
| 6 | Communicate Findings | Review a CTL-generated report on the assessment process and findings to date Participate in a debrief meeting with CTL staff and major stakeholders to discuss curricular improvement opportunities | 1 semester before | 1-2 months before |
* all provided timing is relative to when the self-study is due, please confirm your department’s timeline with the APR director
** funds provided by CTL may be available to compensate for reader hours in this task, pending budget constraints