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WKU 2025–2030 Colonnade Program assessment cycle evaluates student achievement of general education learning outcomes and uses assessment findings to support continuous improvement.
The five-year cycle combines annual departmental course assessments with scheduled institutional assessments of Colonnade categories and the overall program.
Assessment Schedule
Departments offering Colonnade courses are required to conduct annual assessments throughout the five-year cycle, regardless of when their Colonnade category is scheduled for institutional review.
| Academic Year |
Assessment Focus |
| All Years |
Departments assess student achievement annually, providing assessment data and student work artifacts using a 20% sample across all sections of each offered course. |
| 2025–2026 |
Establish baseline data across all Colonnade categories and pilot Kentucky Graduate Profile (KGP) assessment. Foundations and Explorations were assessed in Fall 2025; Connections in Spring 2026. |
| 2026–2027 |
Institutional assessment of Foundations courses, including competency-based assessment reporting. |
| 2027–2028 |
Institutional assessment of Explorations courses, including competency-based assessment reporting. |
| 2028–2029 |
Institutional assessment of Connections courses, including competency-based assessment reporting. |
| 2029–2030 |
Comprehensive review of the Colonnade Program using assessment findings collected throughout the cycle. |
Important: Annual departmental assessment responsibilities continue even when a department's Colonnade category is not scheduled for institutional assessment.
Departmental and Faculty Responsibilities
Departments offering Colonnade courses are responsible for assessing student achievement of applicable Colonnade learning outcomes and using the findings to improve student learning.
Departments and faculty should:
- Select assessment measures: Identify appropriate measures aligned with Colonnade learning outcomes.
- Establish sampling and performance targets: Use a 20% sample across all sections of each offered course and establish appropriate course-level performance targets.
- Use assessment resources: Complete the provided reporting templates and consider applicable institutional rubrics and competency guidance.
- Review results: Evaluate assessment findings with faculty to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
- Document improvements: Identify planned changes based on assessment results and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Submit assessment reports: Provide complete assessment information, including student work artifacts, according to established instructions and deadlines.
Assessment Performance Targets
Departments establish performance targets appropriate to their courses. For institutional analysis, 75% student achievement is identified as the target for each Colonnade learning outcome.
Institutional Assessment Roles and Responsibilities
| Group or Role |
Responsibilities |
| Oversight, Assessment, and Improvement (OAI) Committee |
Reviews departmental assessment data, evaluates institutional strengths and gaps, recommends interventions, monitors improvements, and communicates findings to faculty. |
| Colonnade Director |
Coordinates the assessment schedule and collaborates with committees and academic leadership on program assessment, review, and potential curriculum revisions. |
| Office of the Provost and Assistant Provost Responsible for Assessment |
Provides assessment guidance, templates, training, and communication. Supports departments in interpreting findings, identifying improvements, and documenting results. Coordinates institutional assessment activities with the Colonnade Director and committees. |
Continuous Improvement
Assessment findings are used to identify opportunities to strengthen student learning and improve the Colonnade Program.
Departments and institutional committees are expected to review assessment results, identify appropriate interventions, implement improvements, and evaluate their effectiveness in subsequent assessments.
This process helps ensure that assessment findings inform academic decision-making and support ongoing program improvement.
Assessment Cycle Updates and Compliance
WKU's Colonnade assessment cycle and reporting procedures may be revised if the university approves a new general education program.
Although WKU follows a five-year institutional assessment cycle, annual departmental assessments, scheduled category assessments, and comprehensive program review collectively support the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) three-year assessment-cycle requirement.