Core Assessment

As mentioned previously, a Core Assessment is now a required syllabus component for all courses of instructional delivery in the Park University system. The purpose of the Core Assessment is to determine whether or not the student can demonstrate proficiency in the Core Learning Outcomes for the course.

Beginning in the Fall 2005 semester, Park faculty members started the process of developing Core Assessments for all courses. As of the Fall 2006 semester, a Core Assessment (and an associated Core Assessment Rubric) had been developed for over half of the courses in the Park University undergraduate catalog. It is up to each Program to determine which faculty member(s) will develop and refine the Core Assessment for any given course.

A Core Assessment may be virtually any type of assessment instrument used in the classroom environment (written paper, test, etc.). However, since the Core Assessment must be exactly the same for every section of a given course during a semester, it is recommended that it be a paper or written homework assignment. Regardless of the type of assessment instrument used, every Core Assessment is required to have writing component.

Core Assessment Requirements:

• Core Assessment must address at least three-fourths (75%) of the Core Learning Outcomes for the course including activities associated with the ability to think critically and communicate effectively.
• Core Assessment may not be due earlier than three-fourths (75%) of the way through the course.
• Core Assessment must be worth at least 20% of the final course grade.
• Core Assessment must be uniform for all sections of a particular course and must be included in all syllabi. Modifications of the defined Core Assessment activity are not permitted.
• A detailed Core Assessment Rubric (CAR) specific to the relevant Core Assessment must be included in all syllabi. Modifications of the defined Core Assessment Rubric are not permitted.
• Core Assessment must include a writing component.

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