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Assessment Policy

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Purpose

 To articulate the principles that underpin the Macquarie University approach to assessment of student learning and feedback. These principles guide the procedures to be used in the conduct and management of assessment and feedback practices in all coursework units.

Overview

 Assessment of student learning performance and feedback on progress are pivotal and important processes in University learning and teaching. Assessment tasks communicate to students what must be learned and are vehicles by which the University assures itself, and society, of its graduates’ capabilities.
The design of assessment tasks, feedback processes and grading strategies are to be efficient, effective and ethical, as well as imbued with educational integrity and equity and grounded in research-based evidence regarding effective practice.
Research is a core element of University practice. Assessment can enhance the nexus between learning and research through providing students with opportunities to:
  • experience critical exposure to the research of academic teachers and graduate, higher degree students
  • engage in research inspired learning and develop the capacity to conceptualise and conduct research
  • provide an opportunity to understand and evaluate the contribution of research to knowledge in their field of study.
Principles of Quality Assessment
This Policy is based on the following evidenced-based principles:
  • Curriculum Alignment
  • Standards-based Grading
  • Student Engagement
  • Scholarly and Evidence Based Practice
  • Social Inclusion and Diversity
  • Quality and Timely Feedback
  • Quality Enhancement
  • Quality Assurance

DEFINITIONS
Assessment Task: illustrative task or performance opportunity that closely targets defined learning outcomes, allowing students to demonstrate their learning and capabilities.

Examination: a time-limited assessment task conducted under invigilation. For example, tests, practical assessments, in-unit quizzes, final examinations.

Final Examination: an examination held within a specified examination period that is defined by the University and conducted in compliance with the Examination Policy. This excludes what is referred to as a ‘take home examination’. Final examinations only are managed through the Academic Programs Section; all other examinations are managed locally by the relevant department/faculty.

Invigilation: direct in person supervision on behalf of the University for the entire duration of an assessment task to prevent cheating and to prevent students using aids other than those permitted for that assessment task.

Moderation: a quality review and assurance process which supports assessment setting and marking activities. It involves using other academics and qualified staff to confirm that the assessment tasks and marking are valid and reliable. Essentially, it is a checking process.

Scope

This Policy applies to all coursework units offered by or on behalf of Macquarie University.

It will be relevant to all academic leaders and managers of learning and teaching, all teaching staff, including sessional teachers, and all coursework students.

The Policy also provides information for external stakeholders, such as professional accrediting bodies, workplace supervisors and employers of graduates.

Policy

All assessment design and practice will adhere to the stated evidence-based principles of quality assessment.

Standards based assessment will be used.

There will be no pre-determined or ideal distribution of grades across a student cohort (ie norm referencing).

COMPLETION OF A UNIT
Academic Senate will:
  • confirm the criteria to be used to determine whether a student has satisfactorily completed a coursework unit
  • approve the final grades for all coursework units.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF ASSESSMENT
The faculties, through the Executive Deans, and the University, through Academic Standards and Quality Committee (ASQC), will:
  • ensure the quality assurance of assessment practice
  • ensure that all assessment tasks undergo regular cycles of moderation.

The Unit Convenor will institute a process to ensure alignment between teaching strategies, expected learning outcomes and assessment requirements by all staff with a responsibility for unit assessment.

UNIT ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
Each unit will:
  • have at least three assessment tasks
  • require more than one type of assessment task
  • have no single assessment task worth more than 60% of the total assessment of the unit
  • not include a total examination component of more than 80% of the total assessment of the unit
  • Each 100 and 200 level unit will also include feedback on an early task (whether assessed or not) within the first third of the study period.
GROUP ASSESSMENT
A group assessment task prepared and presented as a single entity where the contributions of individual students cannot be identified are to be:
  • graded on a pass/fail basis, and
  • limited to 30% of the total assessment for the unit.

A group assessment task prepared and presented as a single entity where the contributions of individual students can be identified are not limited to the above grading restrictions.

UNIT GUIDE
The information required for each assessment task (eg due date, method of submission, alignment with Graduate Capabilities) will be as detailed in the Unit Guide Policy.

CHANGES TO UNIT ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
All changes to unit assessment tasks requested after the unit has commenced will require approval by the Head of Department.

FINAL GRADES
The Unit Convenor will be responsible for determining and reporting the final unit grades.

RETENTION OF RECORDS
All items submitted or completed by a student for the purpose of assessment or evaluation will be retained at least until the end of the grade appeal period (six months), unless returned to the student.

At the end of the retention period, the items will be destroyed or returned to students.

EXCEPTIONS
Exceptions to this Policy will only be granted when supported by sound pedagogical reasons.

Any exception to this Policy will require the approval of the Academic Standards and Quality Committee.

COMPLIANCE AND BREACHES
The University may commence applicable disciplinary procedures if a person to whom this policy applies breaches this policy (or any of its related procedures).

 

Policy Information

Contact Officer Chair, Senate Learning and Teaching Committee
Date Approved 4 October 2011
Approval Authority Academic Senate
Date of Commencement For units with a teaching start date of 1 January 2012 or later
Amendment Dates March 2012 – clarification to definition of Final Examination
Date for Next Review July 2014
Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms or Templates

Academic Honesty Policy / Procedure
Academic Standards and Quality Committee – Terms of Reference
Assessment Procedure / Guideline
Disability Action Plan
Examinations Policy
Grade Appeal Policy
Grading Policy
Policy Framework Policy
Records Management Policy
Rules
Staff Code of Conduct
Student Code of Conduct
Unit Guide Policy / Procedure

Resources
Assessment Checklist
Assessment and Feedback
Case Studies
Graduate Capabilities
Policies / Rules Superseded by this Policy

Assessment Policy approved 12 August 2008
Keywords Assessment, Feedback, Grading, Grades, Examination
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