Current Practice at the Center for Assessment and Research Studies James Madison University demonstrates commitment to assessment through scheduled assessments at four stages of the academic career. Assessment Days Assessments integrated into freshman orientation days are designed to assess JMU's general education and developmental goals. The February Assessment Day collects general education and developmental information from second semester sophomores and first-semester juniors who have completed 45 to 70 credits. This day also provides an important opportunity for academic major programs to assess seniors. The program promotes the cultivation of habits of the mind and heart that are essential to informed citizens in a democracy and world community.
General education prepares students to become flexible thinkers and life-long learners.
It provides core knowledge, skills, and experiences essential for successful and rewarding careers and lives, and encourages students' active involvement in their education. General education complements the major or professional program to provide each student with a full educational experience. The general education program is organized in five clusters. A CARS staff member is assigned to each Cluster Committee to work with faculty and Cluster Coordinators to design appropriate ways to assess learning in the cluster. This work is ongoing and essential to making decisions about the curriculum and its effectiveness in meeting the learning outcomes of the general education program.