Assessment of Student Learning

The goal of assessment of student learning at UA is to "assure that graduate and undergraduate academic majors and the general education program have assessment processes in place that include (a) the skills and concepts mastered, (b) the assessment measures employed, and (c) the analysis and use of results to improve academic programs."

Assessment includes: Explicitly stating what students should know and be able to do; evaluating and collecting student work as evidence of that learning; analyzing the student work to search for gaps in learning; making changes as warranted.

Learning Outcomes Assessment:  How do we write measurable learning outcomes? A narrated PowerPoint show (.ppsx) to describe writing measurable learning outcomes.

Grading System

A student will receive grades on various types of classroom performance during the progress of most courses and a final grade at the end of the term. At the end of the term, grades are available online. Individual tests are usually graded with percentage or letter marks, but official academic records are maintained with a grade-point system. Overall scholastic averages are computed on a quality point ratio basis, wherein the sum of the quality points earned is divided by the sum of the credits attempted. The quality point value per credit for each letter grade is shown in the following tables:

I - Incomplete: Indicates that the student has done passing work in the course but that some part of the work is, for good and acceptable reason, not complete at the end of the term. Failure to make up the omitted work satisfactorily by the end of exam week of the following term, not including summer sessions, converts the “I” to an “F.” When the work is satisfactorily completed within the allotted time, the “I” is converted to whatever grade the student has earned. It is the responsibility of the student to make up the incomplete work. The faculty member should submit the new grade to the Office of the University Registrar on a change of grade form, which is available through MyAkron. If the instructor wishes to extend the “I” grade beyond the following term for which the student is registered, the instructor should submit an incomplete extension form, which is available through MyAkron, before the end of the semester.

IP - In Progress: Indicates that the student has not completed the scheduled coursework during the semester because the nature of the course does not permit completion within a single semester, such as work toward a thesis. An “IP” grade should be assigned only in graduate courses.

PI - Permanent Incomplete: Indicates that the student’s instructor and the dean with jurisdiction over the course may for special reason authorize the change of an incomplete “I” to a permanent incomplete “PI.”

WD - Withdraw: Indicates that the student registered for the course but withdrew officially after the 15th day of the term.

NGR - No Grade Reported: Indicates that, at the time grades were processed for the current issue of the record, no grade had been reported by the instructor.

INV - Invalid: Indicates the grade reported by the instructor of the course was improperly noted and thus unacceptable for proper processing.

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