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For students

McGill.CA / Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL)

The Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL) is now in effect!

Read the Policy | Lire la politique

Central to the Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL) is the idea that assessment should support student learning.

This means that assessment tasks should be used to help further your understanding of course content, and assess how effectively your learning of knowledge, skills, and values fulfills the course learning outcomes, rather than how you measure up against your peers.

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What should I know about the new Policy?

Clear expectations

When your instructors clearly communicate their expectations for the course and for each assessment task, you gain a better understanding of what you need to do to succeed. And sharing assessment criteria with all students helps to promote equity, fairness, and consistency.

â–ş PASL says: The course outline must include a breakdown of the ways that grades can be earned (e.g., assignments, exams, participation).

► Students should also receive criteria in advance for each assessment task, which outline the expectations of the task (e.g., “Supports thesis with relevant evidence from peer-reviewed literature").

Early feedback

Receiving feedback early on in a course equips you with valuable information about how you’re doing and what you might need to focus on. It can also be a source of motivation and help you stay focused on learning.

► PASL says: Students have the right to receive some “formative” feedback, which can be a grade and/or comments, in advance of the course withdrawal (without refund) deadline.

Assessment tasks

PASL takes a less exam-centric approach to assessment. This means you could be assigned different kinds of assessment tasks that support the learning outcomes of the course.

â–ş PASL says: All assessment tasks must have a due date before the last day of exams, so you could have final assessment tasks during the exam period that are not exams.

Equity and well-being

Underpinning PASL is a University-wide commitment to align assessment practices with “healthy teaching and learning environments” that are key to your well-being and academic success. PASL promotes fairness, equity, and well-being, with guidelines for clear communication, reasonable accommodation, healthy workloads, and increased flexibility.

â–ş PASL says: Access to assessments and third-party rereads are available to you at no cost.

â–ş No assessment tasks shall be due during Fall and Winter breaks or during the last ten days of class (some exceptions).

Transparency

PASL has a clear process for contesting assessment practices that do not respect the Policy. PASL outlines who to contact, how and when to do so, and when you can expect an answer.

â–ş PASL says: If a student has a concern that PASL is not being respected, they can raise it by contacting their instructor, Program Director, and/or Chair of their Department in writing.

â–ş See PASL article 10 for more details about the process of contesting assessment.

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Key ideas infographic

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What do I need to do?

PASL has many measures that benefit students. There are also some responsibilities you should be aware of, such as:

  • Familiarize yourself with PASL, your Faculty’s local guidelines, and other University and Faculty-level policies.
  • Make the most of the assessment criteria provided by your instructor by using it as a learning target – for example, try assessing yourself against the criteria before you hand in your assessment task.
  • Make sure you are aware of and able to keep track of due dates for assessment tasks.

Tip! Check out these resources about using myCourses, to ensure you don’t miss any important information and/or announcements about your assignments.

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Related resources

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As part of this project, we surveyed students on their perceptions of learning and for instructors.

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