ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ

a pencil with sharpener and shavings on a notebook

PASL development and approval process

The Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL) is now in effect!

Background

PASL came about after several years of discussion, research, and consultation about the philosophical and pedagogical principles underlying assessment practices at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ. Discussions revolved around how assessment could be used to support student learning, well-being, and equity and move beyond a traditional approach of evaluating and ranking students.

Given the nature and scale of the changes proposed, it became clear that a complete rethink of the way we approach assessment at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ was required, rather than a typical review and revision of the existing University Student Assessment Policy.ÌýÌý

In preparation for drafting the new Policy, the PASL working group held extensive consultations and solicited comments across the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ community with student groups, Faculties, units, administration, and labour relations groups.

A two-year implementation period was built into the Policy process to allow Faculties and units to develop local guidelines, and instructors to adapt their assessment practices.ÌýÌý

For more details on the background and process of developing PASL, with the (former) Associate Dean of Students and the Director of Teaching and Learning Services.Ìý

Ìý

PASL development and approval process

  • 2015: The Enrolment and Student Affairs Advisory Committee (ESAAC) begins discussions around the philosophical and pedagogical principles of assessment and the potential to shift assessment to focus on student learning. A subcommittee on assessment is formed to report back to the Committee.
  • 2015 – 2017: The Subcommittee conducts research on assessment practices, including a literature review, international university policy analysis, and a benchmarking exercise comparing assessment policies of comparable research institutions.
  • April 2017: The Subcommittee completes their report on assessment for learning, outlining the guiding principles of assessment and recommending a roadmap for the drafting and implementing of a new principles-based approach to assessment policy.ÌýÌýÌý
  • 2019: Based on the Subcommittee report recommendations, a new PASL working group is formed to revise the assessment policy.
  • 2019 – 2021: The PASL working group conducts consultations with the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ community. Consultations involve fielding questions and concerns as well as gathering feedback and integrating recommendations into the draft Policy. An online form for providing feedback is publicly available to the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ community.
  • April 2021: A PASL draft is presented and discussed atÌýSenate.
  • April 2022: PASL is presented at Senate for final consultation.
  • May 2022: PASL is approved by the Academic Policy Committee, the Senate, and the Board of Governors.
  • Fall 2024: PASL comes into effect across ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ after a two-year implementation period.

Ìý

PASL Working Group – member affiliations

  • Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Studies
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Education
  • Office of the Dean of Students
  • Post-Graduate Students’ Society
  • Student Advocacy (Legal Information Clinic at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ)
  • Students’ÌýSociety of ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University
  • Teaching and Learning Services

Groups consulted in the development of PASL

  • Academic Policy Committee (APC) Subcommittee on Teaching and Learning (STL)
  • Assessment and Feedback Group
  • Association of Graduate Students Employed at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ (AGSEM)
  • Department of Biochemistry
  • Department of Economics
  • Enrolment and Student Affairs Advisory Committee (ESAAC)
  • Enrolment Services
  • Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • French Language Centre
  • Legal Services
  • ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Association of University Teachers (MAUT)
  • ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University Senate
  • Senior Administration
  • Schulich School of Music
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Urban Planning
  • Student Accessibility & Achievement
  • Student Leaders’ Forum
  • Students’ Society of ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University (SSMU) Caucus
  • Teaching and Learning Services (TLS)

Reports and meeting minutes

References

The following works were referenced in the 2017 ESAAC Subcommittee on Assessment Report.

Association of American Colleges & Universities (n.d).

Bond, L. (1996). . Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 5(2), 1-3.

Hammer, S. (2007). .ÌýInternational Journal of Pedagogies and Learning, 3(1), 50-58.

Huitt, W. (1996). . Educational Psychology Interactive.ÌýValdosta State University.

Hutchings, M. (2015). National Union of Teachers.

Kim, S., Lee, M.-J., Chung, Y., & Bong, M. (2010). Contemporary Educational Psychology, 35(2), 141-152.

Light, R. J. (1990). The Harvard assessment seminars: Explorations with students and faculty about teaching, learning, and student life: First report. Harvard University, Graduate School of Education.

Light, R. J. (2001). . Harvard University Press.

Linn, R. L. (2000). . Educational Researcher, 29(2) 4-16.

Lok, B., McNaught, C., & Young, K. (2016). . Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 43(3), 450-465.

Maki, P. (2010). Assessing for learning: Building a sustainable commitment across the institution. Stylus.

McCaleb-Kahan, P., & Wenner, R. (2009). . NERA Conference Proceedings 2009. 27.

Nelson, C. E. (2010). Dysfunctional illusions of rigor. In L. B. Nilson & J. E. Miller (Eds.).ÌýTo Improve the Academy, 28 (177-192). Jossey-Bass.

Popham, J. W. (1975). Educational evaluation. Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Sadler, R. D (2005). Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 30(2), 175-194.

Sanders, W., & Horn, S. (1995). . Education Policy Analysis Archives, 3(6).

Suskie, L. A. (2009). Assessing student learning: A common sense guide. Jossey-Bass.

UNESCO International Bureau of Education (2013).

Walvoord, B. E. F. (2010). Assessment clear and simple: A practical guide for institutions, departments, and general education. Jossey-Bass.

Wiliam, D. (1996). The Curriculum Journal, 7(3), 293-306.

Yeh, C. J., & Krumboltz, J. D. (1995). ÌýERIC Report.

Back to top