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Â鶹AV.CA / Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL)

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

Read the Policy | Lire la politique

Central to the Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL) is the idea that assessment should support student learning.

This means that assessment tasks should be used to help further your understanding of course content, and assess how effectively your learning of knowledge, skills, and values fulfills the course learning outcomes, rather than how you measure up against your peers.

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What should I know about the new Policy?

Clear expectations

When your instructors clearly communicate their expectations for the course and for each assessment task, you gain a better understanding of what you need to do to succeed. And sharing assessment criteria with all students helps to promote equity, fairness, and consistency.

â–ş PASL says: The course outline must include a breakdown of the ways that grades can be earned (e.g., assignments, exams, participation).

► Students should also receive criteria in advance for each assessment task, which outline the expectations of the task (e.g., “Supports thesis with relevant evidence from peer-reviewed literature").

Early feedback

Receiving feedback early on in a course equips you with valuable information about how you’re doing and what you might need to focus on. It can also be a source of motivation and help you stay focused on learning.

► PASL says: Students have the right to receive some “formative” feedback, which can be a grade and/or comments, in advance of the course withdrawal (without refund) deadline.

Assessment tasks

PASL takes a less exam-centric approach to assessment. This means you could be assigned different kinds of assessment tasks that support the learning outcomes of the course.

â–ş PASL says: All assessment tasks must have a due date before the last day of exams, so you could have final assessment tasks during the exam period that are not exams.

Equity and well-being

Underpinning PASL is a University-wide commitment to align assessment practices with “healthy teaching and learning environments” that are key to your well-being and academic success. PASL promotes fairness, equity, and well-being, with guidelines for clear communication, reasonable accommodation, healthy workloads, and increased flexibility.

â–ş PASL says: Access to assessments and third-party rereads are available to you at no cost.

â–ş No assessment tasks shall be due during Fall and Winter breaks or during the last ten days of class (some exceptions).

Transparency

PASL has a clear process for contesting assessment practices that do not respect the Policy. PASL outlines who to contact, how and when to do so, and when you can expect an answer.

â–ş PASL says: If a student has a concern that PASL is not being respected, they can raise it by contacting their instructor, Program Director, and/or Chair of their Department in writing.

â–ş See PASL article 10 for more details about the process of contesting assessment.

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Key ideas infographic

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What do I need to do?

PASL has many measures that benefit students. There are also some responsibilities you should be aware of, such as:

  • Familiarize yourself with PASL, your Faculty’s local guidelines, and other University and Faculty-level policies.
  • Make the most of the assessment criteria provided by your instructor by using it as a learning target – for example, try assessing yourself against the criteria before you hand in your assessment task.
  • Make sure you are aware of and able to keep track of due dates for assessment tasks.

Tip! Check out these resources about using myCourses, to ensure you don’t miss any important information and/or announcements about your assignments.

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Related resources

  • Charter of Students’ RightsĚý

    Do you know your rights as a Â鶹AV student?

    Delve into the details of the Charter of Students’ Rights | Charte des droits de l’étudiant.Ěý

  • Student Grievance Procedures

    If you believe that your rights have been infringed upon, you may apply to the Senate Committee on Student Grievances.
    See the Code of Student Grievance Procedures | Code de procédure pour le règlement des griefs étudiants

  • Office of the Dean of StudentsĚý

    The Office of the Dean of Students plays a central role in upholding student rights and responsibilities, provides information on academic integrity, and can facilitate solutions to problems and/or refer students to support services.

  • Ombudsperson

    If you have questions about a particular situation or think a policy may have been applied unfairly, contact the Ombudsperson for confidential and impartial dispute resolution services.

  • Student Accessibility and Achievement

    Find information about academic and exam accommodations, as well as resources to help you succeed.

  • Student Wellness Hub

    Wellness is a central tenet of PASL.
    Learn more about wellness and find resources to support your physical and mental well-being at theĚýStudent Wellness Hub.

New miniseries on assessment strategies!

Tune in to Teach.Learn.Share, the podcast that thoughtfully explores teaching and learning practices in higher ed. Join us over our next five-episode miniseries as we delve into creative, concrete, and transferable assessment strategies centered around assessment for learning.

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