The 2025 Biennial Summary of Student Achievement of UCORE Learning Outcomes (PDF) is now available to WSU faculty, leadership, and other stakeholders. This report summarizes the results of UCORE assessment on the learning outcomes of the UCORE general education program, and provides evidence of UCORE’s contribution towards advancing the WSU Undergraduate Learning Goals, using data collected in AY 2023-24 and AY 2024-25.
As UCORE is bookended by a required first-year course [ROOT] and a senior capstone experience [CAPS], this summary offers a general picture of student achievement at the senior and first-year levels related to the learning outcomes of the UCORE general education program as outlined in the UCORE Assessment Plan (PDF). Additionally, for the first time, this summary offers information about student achievement of [BSCI] and [PSCI] designator learning outcomes, two of UCORE’s Ways of Knowing designators. See the UCORE Curriculum Map (PDF) and UCORE Curriculum webpages for more information.
Student Achievement of UCORE Learning Outcomes
Results show that most students are consistently meeting or exceeding faculty expectations on the [CAPS] designator learning outcomes at the graduating undergraduate level. UCORE [CAPS] courses require students to demonstrate designator learning outcomes associated with four of the WSU Undergraduate Learning Goals (Critical & Creative Thinking, Information Literacy, Written Communication, and Integrative Learning). In addition, [CAPS] courses may advance additional applicable designator learning outcomes associated with other WSU Undergraduate Learning Goals (Quantitative Reasoning, Scientific Literacy, Diversity, and/or Non-Written Communication) as appropriate to the course.
“This summary provides an overview of student achievement of the learning outcomes of the UCORE general education program by providing data from instructor assessment of student achievement in UCORE courses alongside related data from students about their experience,” noted UCORE Director Kate Watts. “These results indicate that most students are consistently demonstrating the learning outcomes at an appropriate level near the end of the curriculum, which is a positive reflection on UCORE and undergraduate education at WSU,” Watts added.
These results indicate that most students are consistently demonstrating the learning outcomes at an appropriate level near the end of the curriculum, which is a positive reflection on UCORE and undergraduate education at WSU.
Kate Watts, UCORE Director
UCORE Assessment Data Supports Planning and Decision-making
Assessment activities and results are intended to inform regular faculty reflection and discussion about effective teaching, learning, and curricula, and ultimately contribute to decision-making to support student learning. Decisions can include choosing to make changes, continue current effective practices, or build on strengths.
In concert with the UCORE Director, faculty on the UCORE Committee and Subcommittee for Assessment regularly review UCORE assessment results and suggest actions for improved assessment or use to inform decision-making. UCORE Assessment results are also regularly made available to individual UCORE instructors and programs via the UCORE Assessment website.
UCORE Assessment data have been used in recent years, for example, to inform professional development offerings for UCORE instructors and teaching assistants, conversations with academic advisors and faculty around junior enrollments and achievement gaps in [CAPS] courses and strategies to support student enrollment in [CAPS] courses as seniors whenever possible, and changes to assignments in individual UCORE courses and programs.
“We extend our appreciation to the UCORE instructors, committees, and leadership that participate in and support UCORE assessment and instruction, we greatly appreciate your contributions to UCORE and undergraduate education at WSU,” added Watts.
For more information about UCORE Assessment and how it contributes to decision making intended to support student learning and quality undergraduate education, see Current Assessment Activities, Evidence of Student Learning, and Use of Student Learning Evidence. For past UCORE Assessment Summaries of Student Achievement, see UCORE Assessment Summaries.