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Assessment Academy

The Assessment Academy consists of in-person events, on-campus activities, online project updates and virtual consultations that will help you design and implement a customized project to improve student learning through assessment.

HLC is not currently accepting applications to join the Academies, but we open the application each spring. Sign up to be notified when the application opens.

Four-Year Academy Experience and Fees

Registration for Academy events is included in the annual Academy membership fees. The first year fees must be paid prior to participation in the orientation workshop. Institutions will be invoiced for all subsequent years’ fees on October 1 of each year. 

Prepare to create an effective project using promising practices for assessment.

Orientation

HLC presents an in-depth overview of the Academy, how it works, and the expectations and opportunities for being a team member.

Context Questions

Provide contextual information about your institution, including background on assessment efforts and ongoing needs.

Roundtable

HLC provides an overview of promising practices for developing assessment strategies and evidence for improving student learning. Receive guidance on building and sustaining the long-term Academy Project.

Project Update and Response: Planning

Document your preliminary project plan as defined at the Roundtable, highlighting desired outcomes and strategies to achieve them, and receive feedback from your Mentor and Scholar.

First-Year Mentor Check-In

Meet with your assigned Mentor to discuss the status of the team’s project six months after its launch.

Project Update and Response: Development

Detail launching your Academy Project during the first year and any refinements to its project’s scope. Receive feedback.

Year 1 Membership:
$9,000

Includes:

  • Orientation registration for a two-person team
  • Roundtable registration for a five-person team
  • Online learning and interaction with Academy teams, Mentors and Scholars through SparQ
  • Responses from the Mentor and Senior Scholar to Project Updates

Implement improvement strategies and navigate challenges.

Project Update and Response: Implementation

Describe the project’s initial implementation and what you have discovered about student learning and receives feedback.

Project Update and Response: Reflection

Reflect on your accomplishments thus far, define opportunities for continued improvement and receive feedback.

Midpoint Roundtable

Share progress, seek advice from other participants and receive in-person guidance to keep the Academy Project moving forward.

Year 2 Membership:
$8,000

Includes:

  • Midpoint Roundtable registration for a five-person team
  • Online learning and interaction with Academy teams, Mentors and Scholars through SparQ
  • Responses from the Mentor and Senior Scholar to the Midpoint Report and Project Updates

Calibrate the project to ensure it meets your institution’s goals.

Project Update and Response: Refinement

Document the refinement of your team’s project scope and action plans for the final two years of the program. Get feedback from the Mentor and Scholar.

Third-Year Consultation

Consult virtually with your mentor to review progress, get suggestions about implementing strategies and recommendations to meet your goals.

Project Update and Response: Evaluation

Begin to critically evaluate your progress and get feedback.

Year 3 Membership:
$8,000

Includes:

  • Third-Year Mentor Consultation
  • Online learning and interaction with Academy teams, mentors and Scholars through SparQ
  • Responses from the Mentor and Senior Scholar to Project Updates

Reflect on project outcomes and create a plan to sustain improvements.

Project Update and Response: Expansion

Consider remaining tasks and opportunities for using the Academy Project as a catalyst for further improvement and receive feedback.

Results Forum

Share your findings and successes and receive guidance on developing a sustainability plan to continue building on your progress.

Impact Report and Response

Document your progress and achievements from the program. The report outlines a sustainability plan and you receive feedback from your Mentor and Scholar on the overall project and plans to continue efforts beyond the Academy.

Year 4 Membership:
$8,000

Includes:

  • Results Forum registration for a five-person team
  • Online learning and interaction with Academy teams, Mentors and Scholars through SparQ
  • Responses from the Mentor and Senior Scholar to the Impact Report and final Project Updates

Note: Academy membership covers registration costs for the specified number of team members for each in-person event. Registration for additional attendees, as well as travel costs, are at the institution’s expense.

SparQ

SparQ is HLC’s online platform for project management, resource sharing, discussion and discovery, where participants can be inspired by new ideas and build a community of shared learning. In SparQ, your team will build a record of its progress, track improvements and document analysis, and receive Mentor and Scholar feedback.

Academy Teams

Institutions participate by creating teams to attend Academy events and carry out the on-campus activities. A team is made up of five to eight individuals and should include members of the faculty, staff and administration. HLC gives guidance on selecting members and team leaders during orientation.

Each team is assigned a Mentor and a Scholar who provide support for the duration of the Academy experience.

Questions?

[email protected]