Course Assessment and Timeline
Early in the Semester: Plan How to Teach and Assess the GE Student Learning Outcomes
- Use the search tool at General Education Courses by Category to identify your course's Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) or see the master list. Each course in General Education has both Knowledge SLOs and Essential Skills SLOs.
- Knowledge SLOs are determined by the General Education Category (e.g., Foundations: Historical Analysis). Knowledge SLOs use the Knowledge Rubric.
- Essential Skills SLOs are assigned to individual courses during the application process (e.g., Critical Thinking). Each Essential Skill SLO also has a rubric that is required for assessment.
- Attend an Assessment Workshop and/or download the Assessment PowerPoint for further help.
- Plan how you will teach your course SLOs. Review the previous Course Assessment Reports (CARs) and feedback from the General Education Committee, and look at the teaching resources.
- Plan how you will assess your course SLOs. Please remember to design separate assessments for each SLO and all accompanying objectives.
During the Semester: Teach Student Learning Outcomes
- Teach students the SLOs.
- Begin completing the sections on the CAR about how you taught the SLOs.
Towards the End of the Semester: Assess Student Learning
- Assess student learning using the Knowledge and Essential Skills rubrics (do not use grades).
- Enter course data using the General Education Assessment Site.
After Grades are Due: Submit Course Assessment Report (CAR)
- Review graphs and tables received from GE once the data is submitted. If there are multiple sections, each instructor will receive graphs/tables for their section and summary data for all sections combined.
- View some of the Exemplary CARs to understand how to complete the Course Assessment Report.
- Complete the CAR and email [email protected].
General Education Program Assessment Workshops Fall 2026
Monday, August 24, 2026
Lake Ontario Hall 167, Allendale Valley Campus: Session I - 2:00 PM & Session II - 2:30 PM
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
DeVos 303C, Grand Rapids City Campus: Session I - 10:00 AM & Session II - 10:30 AM
Friday, August 28, 2026
Online via *Zoom: Session I - 10:00 AM, Session II - 10:30 AM, Session III – 2:00 PM & Session IV – 2:30 PM
Monday, August 31, 2026
Zumberge Hall 3068, Allendale Valley Campus: Session I - 10:00 AM & Session II - 10:30 AM
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
DeVos 302 C, Grand Rapids City Campus: Session I - 10:00 AM & Session II - 10:30 AM
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Lake Ontario Hall 167, Allendale Valley Campus: Session I - 2:30 PM & Session II – 3:00 PM
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Online via *Zoom: Session I - 10:00 AM & Session II - 10:30 AM
Friday, September 4, 2026
Online via *Zoom: Session I - 10:00 AM & Session II - 10:30 AM
*For links to our Fall 2026 Assessment Trainings online via Zoom, please contact the General Education Department.