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What is PASL?

The Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL) is now in effect!

The Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL) is intended to provide a framework for assessment practices at º£ÍâÖ±²¥bÕ¾. The new principles-based Policy has replaced the former University Student Assessment Policy (USAP) as of Fall 2024.Ìý

PASL applies to all undergraduate and graduate courses for which credit is earned and students receive a final grade on an official º£ÍâÖ±²¥bÕ¾ transcript.

PASL is core to º£ÍâÖ±²¥bÕ¾'s mission of advancing learning as it centres assessment for learning.

PASL: Rhymes with tassel

Assessment for learning:

  • Allows for fair, meaningful, and effective assessment of a student’s learning.
  • Creates a learning environment that is both healthy and rigorous.
  • Helps to determine whether planned learning outcomes are achieved.

A focus on assessment design can have a significant impact on student learning and may be the most important area of focus to help students learn ().

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Why PASL?

Assessment can be more than just assigning grades to student work. It has an important role to play in students’ ability to develop their knowledge, skills, and values. When focused on learning, assessment can also have a positive impact on well-being. PASL was developed with these considerations in mind.

The Policy aims to advance student learning, support instructor and student well-being, and promote equity by encouraging pedagogically sound assessment practices. Its development was informed by º£ÍâÖ±²¥bվ’s mission, recommended assessment practices in higher education, and extensive consultation with the º£ÍâÖ±²¥bÕ¾ community.

Guiding principles

PASL outlines a set of common principles, which serve as an overarching framework for the Policy and allow for flexibility to adapt the Policy to local contexts.

Faculties and units are able to develop local guidelines and procedures adapted to their disciplines and contexts but consistent with the Policy and its guiding principles.

Assessments should:

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Align with healthy teaching and learning environments

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Promote high academic standards and academic integrity

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Be pedagogically sound

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Allow for valid and reliable judgment of student learning

â–º Read more about the guiding principles and key concepts underlying PASL.

Key policy topics

In addition to the principles, PASL outlines policy on several different topics, including:

  • Right to fair assessment (Section 5)
  • Communication of course assessment tasks (Section 6)
  • Reasonable accommodation for students (Section 7)
  • Third party rereads (Section 8)
  • Examination and final assessment tasks (Section 9)
  • Process for contesting assessment (Section 10)

â–º Read more about the Policy details and key differences from USAP.

PASL implementation timeline

May 2022: Senate approves PASL; Preparation period: Faculties and units and prepare guidelines and procedures adapted to thei disciplines / Instructors should begin preparing assessment tasks in anticipation of PASL implementation. Fall 2024: Pasl comes into effect across º£ÍâÖ±²¥bÕ¾.

â–º Read more about the development and approval process of PASL.

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