All instructors teaching a general education course are required to participate in assessment. Binghamton runs two general education assessments: a direct template, and an indirect survey.
Direct Assessment
Each semester/term, a group of randomly selected instructors will be required to participate in direct assessment instead of indirect assessment. Instructors who complete direct assessment will not be asked to participate in direct assessment more than once every three years.
How Direct Assessment Works
- Before the start of each semester, instructors will be notified of their selection.
- Instructors will be notified which specific course and which specific category has been selected when response templates are distributed.
- Response templates will be distributed to the selected instructors once class rosters have stabilized.
- Through the semester/term, instructors should indicate on the response template the
extent to which the student satisfied each specific learning outcome in the activity
used for that SLO. Additionally, the sample activity that was used to assess the student's
achievement must be included. These activities can include assignments, tests, group
activities, and other class room activities.
- Note: we do not ask for individual, student-completed work.
- If multiple activities are used for one or more learning outcome/s, please provide all activities.
- A due date for the direct assessment will be issued each semester/term, usually after finals.
Current Template Due Dates
- Spring 2026 - 5/29/2026
- Summer 2026 - TBD
- Fall 2026 - TBD
Indirect Assessment
All instructors who are not participating in our direct assessment will be required to fill out an indirect survey assessment.
How Indirect Survey Assessment Works
- Midway through semesters or at the start of a term instructors required to do the indirect survey assessment will be notified.
- Surveys will be released shortly after the notice. The surveys will have a few questions asking how, in general, the class as a whole did with the required learning outcomes.
- Instructors teaching multiple courses with multiple general education categories will be asked to assess only one course and one category.
- A due date for the survey will be issued each semester/term, usually after finals.
Current Survey Due Dates
- Spring 2026 survey - 5/29/2026
- Summer 2026 survey - TBD
- Fall 2026 survey - TBD