Assessment of Student Learning

Assessment is a reflective and ongoing process, the primary purpose of which is the improvement of student learning. This is accomplished by using student learning assessment results to improve program structure, course content, and pedagogy.

The Committee for the Assessment of Student Learning (CASL), a standing committee of the Academic Senate, supports ongoing assessment initiatives at Loyola.

Assessment Practices and Tools

• Academic Program Assessment Guidebook (PDF)
• FORM: Academic Program Assessment Plan (Word doc) - updated and due Sept 30
• FORM: Chair's Feedback on Prior Year's Assessment Report (Word doc) - updated and due Sept 30
• NEWSLETTER: CASL Newsletter Spring 2025 (PDF)
• Rubrics and Tools for Assessment (SharePoint folder - Loyola access only)

Quality Assurance of Assessment Practice

• Associate/Assistant Dean Forms for Quality Assurance
  • FORM: Associate/Assistant Deans' Summary Report to CASL (Word doc)
  • RUBRIC: Associate/Assistant Deans' Evaluation Rubric (Excel)
• CASL Rubric for Quality Assurance (structural elements of programs' assessment practices)
  • RUBRIC: CASL Review (Excel)

Due Dates for Assessment Plans & Reports

Date	Task
Sept 30	Assessment Plans & Chair's Feedback Forms are due
Dec 1	Academic Affairs releases program software platforms
June 8	Programs submit Annual Academic Program Assessment Reports
July 8	Assoc/Asst Deans submit Summary Reports to CASL

Learning Outcomes

Institution-level Learning Outcomes

• Undergraduate Learning Aims
  • Assessable Undergraduate Institution-level Learning Outcomes (PDF)
• Graduate Learning Goals

Program-level Learning Outcomes

• Development of Program Learning Outcomes Statements - Guiding Questions (PDF)

Student Learning Assessment Plan and CASL Reports

• University Student Learning Assessment Plan 2021-24 (PDF)
• CASL Report to Academic Senate 2025 (PDF)
• CASL Report to Academic Senate 2024 (PDF)
• CASL Report to Academic Senate 2023 (PDF) 
• CASL Report to Academic Senate 2022 (PDF)
• CASL Report to Academic Senate 2021 (PDF)

Annual Assessment Reports in Watermark

All academic program assessment reports are completed in a centralized reporting system. Any faculty members or department chairs who wish to have support in using Watermark Planning & Self-Study can book an appointment with Tracey Frey, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Assessment.

Faculty members with Watermark Planning & Self-Study accounts can log in below:

Log in with your Watermark Account

Technical Support for Watermark

In-house technical support is provided by Tracey Frey, who can be reached at tdfrey@loyola.edu during regular Loyola business hours.

For additional support from Watermark, including outside of business hours, please submit a request through the Watermark account as follows:

• • Log in to your institution's Watermark suite product
  • Click the "?" on the top right
  • You'll be routed to our Help Center and authenticated automatically
  • Click Submit a Request and complete the form-your ticket will be linked to your verified user account
  • You'll receive email updates as usual