What is Assessment?

What is Assessment? Assessment is a simple, repeatable process UNC uses to check and improve teaching, learning, and college programs.

Assessment

Four Main Questions We Ask

  1. What should students learn?
    We define clear goals for student knowledge and skills.
  2. Do classes help students reach those goals?
    We check if programs give students real chances to succeed.
  3. How will we know what students have learned?
    We gather data—like tests, surveys, or projects—to see how well students are doing.
  4. How can we use what we learn?
    We take this info and make classes, programs, and teaching methods better.

The Assessment Cycle

Think of assessment as a cycle:

  1. Set learning goals
  2. Align classes to those goals
  3. Collect learning data
  4. Improve teaching using that data
  5. Start over to keep improving continuously

Guiding Principles

Good assessment work follows these principles:

  1. Mission-Based
    It supports UNC’s mission and learning goals.
  2. Supported by the University
    We receive help like training, tools, and money.
  3. Focused on Improvement
    The point is to make teaching and learning better.
  4. Use Data to Make Decisions
    We use facts—through data—to shape policies and improvements.
  5. Led by Faculty & Staff
    Teachers and staff drive the work.
  6. Student Involvement
    Students are a big part of the process and feedback.
  7. Teamwork
    Teachers, staff, students, and leaders work together.
  8. Meaningful
    We focus on what matters to students and teachers.
  9. Manageable & Ongoing
    It’s done regularly—not just once—and fits the resources we have.
  10. Best Practices
    We follow methods that are known to work well.
  11. Transparent
    We share what we do and what we learn with everyone.

Who’s Involved?

Assessment is a team effort:

  • Teachers and advisors
  • Staff and administrators
  • Students
  • Groups from across the university

 Why It Matters

  • Helps improve classes and campus programs
  • Shows external groups (like accrediting bodies) the university is serious about teaching quality

Useful Resources

UNC provides a toolbox for assessment—like guides, templates, and software (i.e. Canvas tools)—to help plan and track assessments.

Quick Summary:

  • Assessment means asking and answering key learning questions.
  • It’s a step-by-step cycle that continues over time.
  • It’s guided by clear principles and involves the whole UNC community.
  • And it’s all about learning from data and making things better.