Assessment Cycle
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UL Assessment Cycle Policy
The purpose of the University Life Assessment Cycle policy is to ensure that units and strategic initiative teams continuously and systematically measure the extent to which their programs and services operate effectively and enhance student learning and development. At the heart of UL assessment are learning and program outcomes linked to unit- and strategic initiative-level goals that are aligned with divisional and institutional goals, objectives, and missions.
Each outcome follows the same steps along a cyclical assessment path:
- Write a new or revised learning/program outcome.
- Plan the design, approach, method(s), tool(s), and success criteria to be used for assessing the outcome.
- Deliver the program, service, or activity tied to the outcome.
- Collect the assessment data.
- Analyze the assessment data.
- Report and strategize on the data findings.

The UL Assessment Cycle policy consists of three interconnected components, each with specific expectations for planning, updating, reviewing, and/or reporting along the assessment cycle: 1) Annual Assessment Planning, 2) Quarterly Assessment Updates, and 3) Annual Report.
- 3-5 Unit Goals, each aligned with a divisional Goal
- 1-2 Outcomes for each Goal (Cycle Step 1)
- 3-5 KPIs
- Outcome contact, method(s), timeline (Cycle Step 2)
To help ensure timely and thoughtful completion of the outcome assessment cycle, Quarterly Assessment Updates are recorded in Tk20 as services/programs/activities are delivered (Cycle Step 3) and data collected (Cycle Step 4). At the end of Quarters 1, 2, and 3 (Period A: Q1=Oct 1-15, Q2=Jan 1-15, Q3=Apr 1-15), units enter the status of the outcome assessment. After data is analyzed (Cycle Step 5) and a plan for strategically using and sharing the results is developed (Cycle Step 6), units can close the assessment loop for that particular outcome by completing the Results, Insights, and Action Plan sections in Tk20 (Oct 1-Jul 15).
A three-stage review process (open Guide and Flowchart below) has also been built in to facilitate quarterly compliance: 1) Office of ULA Assessment Audit, 2) Unit Head Primary Review, 3) Cluster Leader Secondary Review.
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- Unit Mission
- Academic Year Accomplishments
- Academic Year Challenges
- Plans for the Future
Timelines for all three components revolve around the academic year and are aligned with divisional and institutional deadlines (Open UL Assessment Planning and Reporting Timeline PDF or click on pages 1 and 2 below.).
Below is a mapping document of the division-wide learning outcomes for planning purposes.