Professional Development for Co-Curricular and Functional Programs/Units

The assessment working team (AWT) is offering the following opportunities for co-curricular and functional assessment contacts to engage with other co-curricular and functional programs/units colleagues who are responsible for assessing student learning/operational outcomes and operational objectives respectively.  The aim of these sessions is to develop a support network, learn best practices, and offer feedback on how the AWT can support co-curricular and functional programs/units assessment activities. Please note that Dean’s Offices and University Senate Committees are included as functional units.

Assessment and Action Plan Update: Get it Done Sessions

Syracuse University assessment periods covers activities occurring between July 1 and June 30 of a given year. The annual assessment and action plan update is due by November 1. Join us for an in-person “get it done” working sessions at 101 Crouse-Hinds Hall.

Please remember to bring your laptop and any 2022-23 assessment data you intend to incorporate into your assessment and action plans. See details below.

To do list

  • Before | Get feedback from your colleagues about what the data means for the student learning or success outcome(s) being assessed.
  • During | Ask questions, get support, & complete the update.
  • After | Cross it off your “to do” list!

Co-Curricular Programs/Units

| · September 22 at 9 am

· October 12 at 11 am

· October 25 at 1 pm
Dates/times for co-curricular programs/units

Functional Units

| · September 22 at 1 pm

· October 12 at 9 am

· October 25 at 11 am
Dates/times for functional units

RSVP to assessment@syr.edu

Visit our Assessment Resources page for more details and tools for the assessment process.


Equity-Minded Practices in Assessment

Incorporating equity-minded practices in assessment is one of several steps in addressing structural inequities that influence outcome attainment. The Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment is organizing a professional development opportunity that focuses on equity-minded practices and embedding these practices in assessment and operations of co-curricular and functional programs/units.

“Assessment, if not done with equity in mind, privileges and validates certain types of learning and evidence of learning over others, can hinder the validation of multiple means of demonstration, and can reinforce within students the false notion that they do not belong in higher education”

Jankowski & Montenegro, 2017, p.-5

What does a focus on equity entail?

Consideration for equity in assessment include: 
Check biases and ask reflective questions throughout the data analysis process to address assumptions and positions of privilege
Use multiple sources of evidence appropriate for the students being supported and related learning experience or support offering
Include student perspective and take actions based on those shared perspectives
Increase transparency in results and actions taken 
Invite alternative interpretations
Ensure collected data are meaningfully disaggregated and interrogated 
Make evidence-based changes that address issues  of equity that are context specific

Prior Workshop Presentation and Resources

Several workshops have been offered on campus over the last few years. Presentation materials and other resources are provided below. We are in the process of creating these resources as accessible documents. If you have questions, please contact the assessment working team at assessment@syr.edu.

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Meaningful and Manageable: Equity-Centered Assessment in Action

On May 25, 2022, Gavin Henning conducted a series of interactive workshops to incorporate equity-centered practices and further develop assessment efforts for co-curricular and functional units. Find below session recordings and presentation slides.

Everyday Assessment

Reframing Assessment to Center Equity

Building Your Assessment Toolkit

Turning Assessment Into Action

It’s Time to Revise! Presentation Slides for Co-Curricular Program/Unit

It’s time to Revise! Part 1: Goals and Outcomes

On March 26, 2021 staff engaged in conversations about revising the foundation of a plan to ensure goals and outcomes align well with your mission and divisional priorities.

It’s Time to Revise! Part 2: Creating Strong Criteria

On April 9, 2021 staff learned about different types of measures that can be used and how to establish strong criteria, providing an opportunity to fully develop this final piece of the plan’s foundation.


It’s Time to Revise! Presentation Slide for Functional Units

It’s Time to Revise! Part 1: Goals and Objectives

On March 26, 2021 staff engaged in conversations with the Assessment Working Team and  colleagues about revising the foundation of a plan to ensure goals and objectives align well with your mission and divisional priorities.

It’s Time to Revise! Part 2: Creating Strong Targets

On April 9, 2021 participants learned about developing effective target statements.


Moving Beyond Phase 1

On May 22, 2018, Gavin Henning conducted four workshops to support co-curricular and functional areas in enhancing assessment efforts. Please find the materials from those workshops below:

  • Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Assessment
  • Maximizing the Assessment Toolkit
  • Putting Assessment into Action

Outcomes-Based Assessment to Support Student Learning and Development

On February 14, 2017, Marilee Bresciani conducted a workshop at Syracuse University on how to do outcomes-based assessment for co-curricular units. Find below the slides from the presentation:


Understanding and Using Assessment Results

On November 18, 2016, Linda Suskie conducted a workshop at Syracuse University on how to use the assessment results obtained during the assessment annual cycle. Find below the slides and handout from the presentation:


Introduction to Rubrics

On September 23, 2016, Dannelle D. Stevens conducted two workshops at Syracuse University on rubrics as assessment tools. There was a morning and afternoon session that covered rubrics to use at the course as well as at the program level. Find below the presentations and handouts: