Unit Continuous Assessment System
Full Text Document: The Unit Continuous Assessment System Plan
Brief Description
The preparation programs of Educator as Leader model uses a purposefully developed Unit Continuous Assessment System (UCAS). As a system, the unit with its professional community has developed processes that reflect the conceptual framework’s Functional Dimensions, professional, and state standards. The unit’s system includes a comprehensive and integrated set of evaluation measures that are used to monitor candidates’ performance in addition to managing and improving operations and programs. Data is gathered from three specific domains: candidates’ assessment, program review, and unit evaluation. These areas are depicted in the assessment map included below on this page (click image to enlarge print).
Click on image to enlarge print
Data collected from candidates is standards-based and assesses candidates’ progess in meeting expectations at specified decision points (gates) of the UCAS. These gates are sequential transition points used to document that candidates at the initial and advanced levels have met outcomes. The process for assessing candidates’ performance is systematic, carefully planned, and organized to enable the data analysis at specific decision points as candidates matriculate programs to determine their level of performance and make fair and informed decisions.
The gated UCAS helps candidates strive for excellence as they matriculate through the programs by setting clear criteria and delineating high expectations, maintaining a system of regular feedback in both formative and summative fashion, and by applying standards in clear, reasonable, and consistent ways.
The assessment system is continually reviewed and revised. It is evaluated and improved through interaction with a various faculty committees and other stakeholder groups who are vested in the quality of Spalding University candidates, its programs, and its operations. The College of Education has a standing Assessment Committee. The Assessment Committee plays a pivotal role in the development and refinement of the assessment system as it meets several times throughout an academic semester. The LiveText Coordinator is chair of the Committee. NCATE Coordinator [Associate Dean] is a member of the Assessment Committee and communicates assessment concerns to the Committee. In response, the College of Education Assessment Committee determines a course of action and involvement of other Committees [e.g. Curriculum Committee, Graduate Admissions and Retention Committee, Undergraduate Admissions and Retention Committee, and others] and how those committees will be involved in assessment.