March 2026 Release Notes (4000.10)

We expanded AI‑assisted authoring to support generating multiple choice Knowledge Checks within Documents. This enhancement allows instructors to create just‑in‑time formative assessments using AI‑generated questions based on the content of their Document and any selected course materials.

Instructors

When inserting a Knowledge Check, instructors are now presented with two options: Enter my question or Auto generate question. Selecting Auto-generate question opens the Auto-Generate Question panel, which adapts the existing Question panel used in tests and question banks.

When using the Auto generate question option, instructors can define generation inputs with the following fields:

• A description text field

• A selector to choose course items to inform generation

• A complexity level slider with a range from Low to High

• Advanced options including an output language selector

• An informational banner that states: “This is auto-generated content and needs to be checked for accuracy and bias.”

The system generates four multiple choice questions at a time. Each generated question displays with a radio button so that the instructor can select one question to add to the Document. The instructor can then modify the question, answer options, and feedback after insertion. If the instructor opens the Knowledge Check option but does not add a question, the placeholder block remains empty and behaves as other empty content blocks do.

All questions are generated using only text content from the Document. Consideration of additional media or files will be handled as part of a future release.

Image 1: Instructors can select Enter my question or Auto-generate question when creating a knowledge check.

Image 2: After the system generates questions, the instructor selects which question to add to the Document. After adding a question, instructors can edit the question, question options, and question settings.

To reduce confusion identified through user feedback, we moved the Question Title field from the beginning of the question authoring workflow to the bottom, underneath the Question metadata field. Moving this field ensures that titles remain an optional metadata element and reduces cognitive load during question creation.

Image 1: Before this enhancement, the Question Title field was at the top of the question authoring workflow.

Image 2: Now, the Question Title field is at the bottom of the question authoring workflow, underneath the Question Metadata field.

We updated the partial credit system for Multiple Choice and Multiple Answer questions to allow instructors to assign credit values without the requirement that all designated values sum to 100%. This change supports more flexible grading strategies and enables instructors to represent varying levels of conceptual understanding without adjusting values to meet a fixed total.

The system now allows instructors to enter any partial credit value for each option within a range of –100% to +100%. Validation continues to warn instructors if total values exceed 100%, but it no longer blocks question setup. Instructors may now also enter positive credit values for options that are not marked as the correct answer The total partial credit value for correct answers should be at least 100%, and it may exceed 100%. Negative marking continues to operate when enabled. Instructors can adjust credit values during regrading as well.

Image 1: Instructors can have answer options that do not sum to 100%.

We extended support for anonymous grading of tests in Flexible Grading. Instructors can now grade anonymous by question in addition to grading anonymously by student.

When grading anonymous test submissions in Question View, the interface replaces the student name, avatar, and ID with an anonymous identifier and a blank avatar. All functionality available when grading non‑anonymous submissions by question is also available when grading anonymously. When anonymous grading is enabled, related APIs no longer return identifying information.

We increased the maximum supported SafeAssign file size from 10 MB to 25 MB. This enhancement supports modern academic workflows in which students frequently submit large documents. The increased file size applies to assignments and tests. Direct Submit will be included in a later release.

We added support for importing Subjects and maintaining Subject relationships through SIS integrations. Institutions can now manage Subject data directly from their Student Information System rather than through manual setup in Blackboard. This integration reduces administrative effort, improves data accuracy, and supports consistent curricular structures across reporting and solutions such as Outcomes and Evaluate.

The integration supports importing Subjects using flat file ingestion, API methods, or LIS-based models, depending on institutional requirements.

Institutions can begin using the Performance Results Scale and Key Assessment Indicator, providing a shared framework to interpret, aggregate, and visualize learning outcome performance consistently across assessments. These capabilities establish critical institutional foundations that support Outcomes for Blackboard and enable meaningful, longitudinal measurement of student learning.

Institutions can:

Image 1: Institutions can use the Performance Results Scale and Key Assessment Indicator.

Outcomes for Blackboard will be available March 2026, with additional announcements and enablement resources coming soon. Institutions are encouraged to prepare now by reviewing the Outcomes for Blackboard: Institutional Readiness Guide and Getting Started with Outcomes for Blackboard resources. The release of Outcomes for Blackboard is not aligned with Blackboard's March 4000.10 release.

Managers can now batch edit offering availability on the Offering Management screen instead of updating each offering individually. This feature saves time by allowing managers to act on multiple offerings at once.

Managers select the Batch Edit button on the Offering Management screen, choose the offerings they want to update, then select the Edit Availability button. They pick their desired availability option and select Set Availability.

Image 1: The Batch Edit button now appears on the Offering Management screen.

Image 2: Managers choose the availability from the menu and select Set Availability.