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Performance Results Scale

The Performance Results Scale is a universal, annual-term setting that provides a clear view of outcome performance and enables aggregation across assessments with different scoring methods. It standardizes how learning outcomes are evaluated and reported institution-wide while allowing flexibility at the course and assignment level to support faculty-aligned assessment.

Define the Institutional Performance Results Scale

  • Institutions may configure 2 to 5 scale units.

  • Scale titles are customizable at the institutional level

  • Scale units may be configured to support Pass/Fail use cases

  • Midpoints of scale, by default will be set for the midpoint of the scale units, if there is an odd number of scale units it will be rounded down. Example; if there are five scale units 3 will be met and 2 will be not met. 

    Note

    This can be adjusted by institutions.

  • A single Performance Results Scale is used across the institution

    Note

    This applies to scale structure and labels only; thresholds are configurable at lower levels.

Configure Scale Governance

  • The Performance Results Scale is set by Annual Term.

  • Once assessment data is entered, the scale for that annual term is locked to protect reporting integrity

  • Scale item titles can be updated at any time without impacting historical data

  • Identify which stakeholders should be included in governance regarding the institutional Performance Results Scale. Consider anyone who is involved in aggregate scoring or achievement metrics, General Education representatives, Institutional Effectiveness and Research, Provost, etc. 

Set and Adjust Performance Thresholds

  • Default performance thresholds can be defined for each scale unit

  • Thresholds are adjustable at the assignment-level, allowing robust and flexible outcome measurement

  • This supports varied assessment strategies while maintaining institutional consistency

Align Language with Faculty Culture

  • Use clear, faculty-friendly language (e.g., Exceeds / Meets / Approaching / Not Met)

  • Promote consistent scale usage across programs to support reliable, aggregated reporting

Things to Consider

  • Does your campus have a shared scale and common language already in use? 

  • A shared Performance Results Scale allows outcome data to be aggregated and compared across courses, programs, and academic terms—supporting trend analysis and longitudinal reporting.

  • The Performance Results Scale is visible across the institution:

    • At the course level, for each outcome measured

    • At the student level, showing individual mastery of outcomes

    • At the program, subject, and institutional levels, aggregating results across terms

  • By combining a single institutional scale with adjustable thresholds at the assignment level, institutions can ensure data consistency while still respecting disciplinary differences and instructional design needs.

  • Engage faculty, assessment leaders, and academic governance early when defining scale language and defaults. Aligning on shared terminology upfront builds trust in the data, improves adoption, and strengthens the value of outcomes reporting across the institution.

Resources