Approval of Previous Minutes —

No edits were suggested, and minutes were approved by all attending.

New Business —

Discussion with Gina Wyant, Director of University Assessment

• The discussion between the ACEC committee and Wyant centered around Canvas, student data, and privacy as it relates to assessment. Wyant began the discussion with highlighting that faculty select the data that is used for assessment to represent the KU Common Core. It is up to the faculty to anonymize this data. Wyant does redact student information if faculty has not done this before the artifacts are sent to the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). There is no behind the scenes access to Canvas for CTE, who accesses the artifacts once they are uploaded to Portfolium.
• In preparation for the meeting members reviewed the University of Kansas Assessment Handbook draft. During the discussion with Wyant, Rahn highlighted the policy regarding KU Core Course Review & Recertification beginning on page 14 of the handbook. Discussion ensued regarding the stated time to retain records and the effect this had on faculty. Wyant noted that her office is not expecting faculty to digitize all artifacts of a course on their own. In the future only one assignment artifact for Common Core Courses will be required. This process is being developed now.
• Rinnert mentioned the difficulty in the anonymization process, particularly for oral communication. Masks worn due to the COVID-19 Pandemic helped anonymization, but in the future faces will need to be blurred. Emphasis was placed on the importance of assessing the students’ work, not the students themselves.
• Discussion ensued regarding the faculty’s role in notifying students of the assessment process for KU Common Core Courses. The faculty may not know in advance which assignment will be collected and students work is anonymized. Rahn highlighted that page 15 in the University of Kansas Assessment Handbook draft, is not clear on whether to inform students that their work may be collected, though anonymized. Rahn along with other ACEC members suggested that there be clearer guidance on whether to inform students or not. Lack of clarity in this policy creates inconsistency in student artifacts. Rahn suggested the handbook list who the official members are that can view the raw material. Wyant agreed and noted that her office is reviewing the assessment communication policy.
• Wyant informed the committee that the University of Kansas Assessment Handbook is in draft mode until next FY24. This year her office is gathering feedback before making it official. The handbook is accessible through the KU Assessment website faculty resources behind a single sign-on. Once the handbook is official, Wyant will circle in the ACCEC committee and welcomes any feedback the committee may have in the meantime.