Each of these documents is reviewed and modified as appropriate each year as part of the assessment process. While the PAT supervises the effort, all appropriate units and individuals participate in the review and modification process. While certainly not sufficient, traditional grading of student material continues to be an important and necessary part of assessing both the progress of individual students and the success of curricula and their delivery. Polytechnic has made a substantial effort to insure that a wide variety of assignments are included over the course of a student's academic career. Homework assignments, including numerical and written work.
Laboratory reports on the conduct and results of laboratory experiments.
Each course employs one or more of these techniques to assess the progress of individual students. The quality with which such assignments are completed, however, also provides insight into the effectiveness of the curriculum and its delivery. A great deal of insight can be gained by careful analysis of the basic data provided by the University information systems. For students, the Polytechnic information system contains information on admissions, financial aid, academic standing and progress, enrollment status, grades, etc. Typically, new freshman cohorts are identified each year.