Assessment results are used internally to inform curriculum innovation initiatives and faculty development efforts for the improvement of student learning. Results are also reported to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), specialized accrediting agencies (such as AASCB and ABET), and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to meet external reporting requirements.
The 2017-2020 assessment cycle has been completed. The full report is available below as a complete document. Category reports are also available as individual documents listed in each category below.
2017-2020 Mason Core Assessment Results
Full Report
Mason Core AY17-20 Assessment Full Report (pdf)
Assessment Purpose, Framework, Methods, and Data (pdf)
Arts
Mason Core Arts Full Report (pdf)
Critical Thinking (Capstone and Synthesis)
Critical Thinking Full Report (pdf)
AAC&U-Mason Development of Critical Thinking Rubric (pdf)
Global Understanding
Mason Core Global Understanding Full Report (pdf)
Global Understanding Rubric (pdf)
IT and Computing
Mason Core IT and Computing Full Report (pdf)
Mason Core IT and Computing Rubric (pdf)
Literature
Mason Core Literature Full Report (pdf)
Mason Core Literature Rubric (pdf)
Natural Sciences
Mason Core Natural Sciences Full Report (pdf)
Mason Core Natural Sciences Rubric (pdf)
Quantitative Reasoning
Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning Full Report (pdf)
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mason Core Social and Behavioral Sciences Full Report (pdf)
Mason Core Social and Behavioral Sciences Rubric (pdf)
Western Civilization and World History
Mason Core Western Civilization and World History Full Report (pdf)
Western Civilization and World History Rubric (pdf)
Written Communication (English Composition)
Mason Core Written Communication Full Report (pdf)
Written Communication (Writing Intensive in the Major)
Written Communication in the Major Full Report (pdf)
AAC&U Written Communication VALUE Rubric (pdf)
Previous Assessment of the Mason Core (2009-2015)
Between 2008 and 2015, the Mason Core program was assessed using faculty-prepared course portfolios. During each assessment period, a list of courses and faculty were randomly selected from all of the Mason Core courses in the designated category. Faculty participated in a pre-semester workshop to learn about student learning outcomes, assignment design, and expectations for the portfolio. Faculty were provided with online resources and one-on-one assistance as requested. At the end of the semester, each participating faculty member submitted a course portfolio that included: course syllabus, course map with assignments mapped to learning outcomes, selected assignment instructions or exams, samples of student work from a randomly selected list of students, and a narrative responding to prepared prompts.
The course portfolio review has been conducted by members of the Mason Core Committee, and by peer faculty reviewers who have been paid a small stipend. The review focused on how well each course addressed the Mason Core student learning outcomes through instruction, assignments/activities, and samples of student work. Portfolios have been assessed on how well the instructors articulated the learning outcomes, the congruence of the learning outcomes with the course content, the appropriateness of the course material for the Mason Core curriculum, and the appropriateness of the assignments or forms of assessment in relation to the learning outcomes. Results were shared with course faculty, department chairs, and the Mason Core Committee.
Exploration and Foundation courses have been assessed on a six-year cycle, and each area has been assessed at least once since 2008. Mason Core courses at Mason’s Korea campus were assessed during three semesters: spring 2014, fall 2014, and spring 2015.
Assessment results for the 2009-2015 Mason Core assessment cycle are available for download:
Critical Thinking Trends 2010-2014
Mason Core at Mason Korea 2014
Mason Core at Mason Korea 2015