What you need to know about Assessment

This web page has been designed to provide teaching and support staff with an overview of all relevant policies, guidelines, procedures, rules and forms relating to assessment.

A major review of the University's Assessment Policies and Practices was conducted in 2002 resulting in substantial policy changes, which were approved by Academic Senate on 19 November 2003 for introduction at the start of 2004. A summary of these changes is available in pdf format. You can read more about the Review of Assessment Policies and Practices (RAPP) at http://www.uow.edu.au/about/teaching/rapp/

The Education Policy Review Sub-Committee (EPRS) of the University Education Committee is responsible for reviewing the University assessment policies and practices. The Faculty Education Committee (FEC) and Faculty Assessment Committee (FAC) also play an important role in implementing, monitoring and reviewing assessment policies and practices at the faculty level.

If you have identified a policy gap or procedural issue and wish to raise it through the EPRS, please contact the Policy and Governance Unit. Your feedback is encouraged and will help to inform the policy evaluation and review process.

OVERARCHING POLICY:

Teaching and Assessment Policy - sets out the University of Wollongong's approach to effective learning, teaching and assessment and the principles underlying teaching and assessment practice.

ASSESSMENT CODE & RULES:

Code of Practice - Teaching and Assessment - sets out the responsibilities of academic staff in relation to the assessment of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework subjects.

Assessment Rules: (section 8 of General Course Rules)
8.1 Definitions
8.2 Assessment Responsibilities of Students
8.3 Procedures for Formal Examinations
8.4 Declaration and Release of Final Results
8.5 Grades of Performance
8.6 Guidelines for Granting Awards with Distinction
8.7 Amendment of Academic Record
8.8 Minimum Rate of Progress

RELATED CODES & POLICIES:

General:
Code of Practice - Students outlines the general rights and responsibilities of students at the University.
Policy & Guidelines on Non-discriminatory Language Practice
& Presentation Policy Statement - sets out principles and guidelines to assist staff and student to avoid using language which may appear to exclude some groups of people or which may gratuitously give offence.
Tertiary Literacy Policy and Procedures - provides a context for the integration of tertiary literacies with curricula.

Honours and Research Students:
Code of Practice - Honours - sets out the responsibilities of students and academic staff in relation to research or creative projects within an Honours program or course of study leading to an Honours award.
Code of Practice - Supervision and Pt 10 of General Course Rules (Higher Degree Research Rules) sets out requirements for doctoral or masters theses.

Plagiarism:
Acknowledgement Practice - explains how to acknowledge sources and avoid plagiarism.
Student Conduct Rules - explains the University's approach to student conduct including how to manage student misconduct.

Special Consideration and Student Grievances:
Special Consideration Policy - sets out the procedures and criteria for special consideration requests for all forms of assessment.
Student Academic Grievance Policy - sets out the University's general approach to resolving academic grievances and procedures that may be followed where a student wishes to pursue such a grievance.
Higher Degree Research (HDR) Student Academic Grievance Policy - sets out the process for resolving Higher Degree Research (HDR) student academic grievances.
Sample Faculty Academic Grievance Resolution Flowchart (rtf word document)
Sample Academic Grievance Form (rtf word document)

Students with a Disability:
Alternative Assessment for Students with a Disability - guidelines for students and staff
Special Arrangements for Examinations for Students with a Disability - guidelines for students and staff.

Field Trips and Off-Campus Placements:
Code of Practice - Practical Placements sets out policies and practices regarding workplace experience and other practical training requirements.
Field Trip Guidelines outlines responsibilities of staff and students involved in organising and participating in field work activities and provides information about related hazards and risks.

SUPPORTING GUIDELINES, PROCEDURES & BEST PRACTICE:

Assessment Committees:
Assessment Committee Guidelines - set out the core standards for Assessment Committees in determining and declaring students' session results for courses delivered in Australia.
Sample Form for Recording Variations to Marks (pdf)
Checklist of Assessment Committee Procedures (pdf)

Guidelines:
Guidelines for Scaling - explains when and how scaling should be used.
Subject Outline Checklist - Schedule 1 of the COP-Teaching and Assessment

Other related polices may be found in the Teaching and Learning section
of the Online Policy Directory.

Last Revised: 8 March 2004
Comments and feedback to the Secretariat

Last reviewed: 25 March, 2008