Assessment is a reflective and ongoing process, the primary purpose of which is the improvement of student learning. This is accomplished by using student learning assessment results to improve program structure, course content, and pedagogy.

The Committee for the Assessment of Student Learning (CASL), a standing committee of the Academic Senate, supports ongoing assessment initiatives at Loyola.

Apply: Student Learning Assessment Faculty Fellow

The Student Learning Assessment Faculty Fellow is a full-time faculty member who has demonstrated sustained commitment to the principle that assessment, teaching, and learning inform and impact each other through the nature of their interconnectedness. The faculty fellow advances the University’s culture of assessment by facilitating faculty-led initiatives described in the University assessment plan. Specifically, the faculty fellow will focus on implementing Core Curriculum assessment according to the assessment plan and the foundations laid by the committee on the assessment of student learning (CASL). The faculty fellow will provide strong communication plans and keep stakeholders informed throughout the process.

Detailed Description: The fulfillment of the Student Learning Assessment Faculty Fellow’s duties in AY 2023-24 include:

• FA23: Leading the faculty representatives on CASL to refine and finalize three standardized Core Rubrics (set #1 of 3) tested by a group of faculty in SP22, based on their feedback.
• FA23: Facilitating and leading, in consultation with the associate dean of the humanities and the core curriculum, the testing of three Core Rubrics (set #2 of 3) by a small group of faculty of various disciplines.
• SP24: Launching the official use of the first three finalized Core Rubrics (set #1 of 3) across Core disciplines.
• SP24: Leading the faculty representatives on CASL to refine and finalize standardized Core Rubrics (set #2 of 3) tested by a group of faculty in FA23, based on their feedback.
• SP24: Facilitating and leading, with the associate dean of the humanities and the core curriculum, the testing of the remaining Core Rubrics (set #3 of 3) by a small group of faculty of various disciplines.
• SU24: Provide a report to CASL and the Academic Senate on all elements of the initiative, including outcomes, decisions, finalized Core Rubrics, and recommended next steps for AY2024-25.

Schedule Overview of the tasks above:

Semester	Core Curriculum Assessment Initiative Tasks
Fall 2023	Lead the test of Set 2 of Draft Core Rubrics Lead CASL faculty in refining and finalizing Set 1 of Core Rubrics
Spring 2024	Launch official use of Set 1 of Core Rubrics across Core Courses Lead the test of Set 3 of Draft Core Rubrics Lead CASL faculty in refining and finalizing Set 2 of Core Rubrics
Summer 2024	Report on the outcomes and recommended next steps

General information: The Student Learning Assessment Faculty Fellows program invites applications from full-time faculty members with demonstrated expertise and leadership in student learning assessment, a commitment to equitable and inclusive assessment practices, and an interest in sharing their expertise with the broader Loyola community. The Faculty Fellow will meet regularly with the committee on the assessment of student learning and is provided an annual stipend of $2000. To apply: please complete this questionnaire.

Assessment Practices and Tools

• Academic Program Assessment Guidebook (PDF)
• FORM: Academic Program Assessment Plan (Word doc) - updated and due Sept 30
• FORM: Chair's Feedback on Prior Year's Assessment Report (Word doc) - updated and due Sept 30
• NEWSLETTER: CASL Newsletter Spring 2023 (PDF)
• Rubrics and Tools for Assessment (SharePoint folder - Loyola access only)

Quality Assurance of Assessment Practice

• Associate/Assistant Dean Forms for Quality Assurance
  • FORM: Associate/Assistant Deans' Summary Report to CASL (Word doc)
  • RUBRIC: Associate/Assistant Deans' Evaluation Rubric (Excel)
• CASL Rubric for Quality Assurance (structural elements of programs' assessment practices)
  • RUBRIC: CASL Review (Excel)

Due Dates for Assessment Plans & Reports

Date	Task
Sept 30	Assessment Plans & Chair's Feedback Forms are due
Dec 1	Academic Affairs releases program software platforms
June 8	Programs submit Annual Academic Program Assessment Reports
July 8	Assoc/Asst Deans submit Summary Reports to CASL

Learning Outcomes

Institution-level Learning Outcomes

• Undergraduate Learning Aims
  • Assessable Undergraduate Institution-level Learning Outcomes (PDF)
• Graduate Learning Goals

Program-level Learning Outcomes

• Development of Program Learning Outcomes Statements - Guiding Questions (PDF)

Student Learning Assessment Plan and CASL Reports

• University Student Learning Assessment Plan 2021-24 (PDF)
• CASL Report to Academic Senate 2022 (PDF)
• CASL Report to Academic Senate 2021 (PDF)