Phase 1: Reframing the General Education Curriculum
Target date: May 2008
The strength of a general education curriculum, and the assessment thereof, depends on its theoretical and practical framework. A curriculum with clearly stated and widely acknowledged goals and objectives will guide course development, learning outcomes, and assessment models. With this proposal, the General Education Committee attempts to superimpose a new set of ideals for the general education curriculum that are inspiring and cohesive, yet practical in their implementation. This phase will be focused on receiving feedback from all stakeholders and ultimately achieving buy-in from the university community.
Phase 2: Developing assessable and meaningful outcomes and goals for the curriculum
Target date: early fall 2008
Input from departments and individual faculty members is crucial to the success and sustainability of a meaningful gen ed curriculum. This phase will focus on soliciting and collating ideas, examples, and best practices from faculty, administration, and students. The committee will distill the information collected and present a set of assessable outcomes for the curriculum.
Phase 3: Developing/implementing assessment tools and methods to collect data
Target date: late fall 2008
Once the outcomes and goals are established, the committee will turn its attention to crafting or adopting models, methods, and tools for the assessment of the program as a whole.
Phase 4: Reviewing courses for adaptation to the new framework and goals
Target date: not yet established
As the new framework, outcomes and goals, and assessment methods are implemented, courses will be reviewed to ensure they fulfill the requirement.