I. NYIT's Core Curriculum and Core Learning Outcomes

Beginning with the class entering in the fall of 2010, NYIT undergraduate students are now required to complete a new 38-credit core currculum designed to build seven competencies:

• Communication
• Literacy
• Critical/Analytical thinking
• Interdisciplinary Mindset and Skills
• Ethical/Moral and Civic Engagement
• Global Perspective/World View
• Process and Nature of Sciences and Arts

This new curriculum was created in response to NYIT's  institutional goal to become " a model 21st -century university" by 2030. Derived from research findings about the skills needed in a 21^st -century workforce, the curriculum is outcome based. Students' mastery of the seven competencies is measured both during core courses and in the major at the time of graduation.

The foundation for developing and assessing core competences was laid in 2009-2010, when faculty from all degree programs were asked to incorporate instruction on and assessment of all seven core learning outcomes into the courses in their majors (see “Plans and Report”/Column  “09-10 Activity Report").

Assessment activities related to this new core curriculum are designed to provide information (1) that will allow faculty to improve the newly introduced courses and (2) that will demonstrate the degree to which students have attained mastery of the competencies.

II. NYIT Core Learning Outcomes

Core Learning Outcomes (PDF)

III. Procedure of Core Learning Outcome Assessment

In addition to program-specific outcomes, assessment plans for undergraduate programs also include assessment of one core learning outcome per year, designated by the Assessment Committee to be examined across the university, intended to stimulate conversations about improving general education outcomes among the full range of departments and schools.

• 2010-2011: "Communication"
• 2011-2012: "Critical Thinking in Foundation Courses"
• 2012-2013: "Critical Thinking in All Programs"
• A baseline level with which future assessments can be compared.

IV. Report on Core Learning Outcome Assessment

Assessment Report:

• 2010-2011: NYIT Institutional Wide Writing Skill Assessment Report
• 2011 Spring: Critical Thinking Assessment in Foundation of Inquiry Report
  
• 2011-2012: Writing Skill Assessment in Foundation of College Composition
• 2011-2012: Collegiate Learning Assessment Repot
• 2011 Foundation Of Scientific Inquiry Survey Results
  
• 2011 Foundation of Inquiry Survey Results
  
• 2011 Summer Report from the Director of Core Curriculum
  
• 2012 Surmmer Foundation of Science Course Review
• 2012 Summer Core Curriculum Review Report
• 2011-2012 Scientific Process Outcome Assessment
  

V. External Resource:

Provided below are great resources for faculty assessing NYIT core outcomes across all academic disciplines:

VALUE Rubrics (Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education) are created by AAC&U (Association of American Colleges and Universities) for assessing students intellectual and practical skills and personal responsibilities in the following areas:

• Inquiry and Analysis
• Critical Thinking
  
• Creative Thinking
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Reading
• Quantitative Literacy
• Information Literacy
• Teamwork
• Problem Solving
• Civic Knowledge
• Intercultural Knowledge and Competence
  
• Ethical Reasoning
• Foundations and Skills for Lifelong Learning
• Integrative and Applied  Learning

Other Online Assessment Tools are created by Madison University for College Learning Outcomes: