Essential Learning and Assessment Review Committee (ELARC)

In 2010, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater adopted the Essential Learning Outcomes from the Association of American Colleges and Universities as the definition of the baccalaureate learning outcomes for our campus. All students seeking a bachelor’s degree are expected to achieve the essential learning outcomes through their studies in general education, their major and minor, their elective courses, and through experiences gained in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

The Essential Learning & Assessment Review Committee (ELARC) was established in 2011 as an administrative committee to discuss assessment data and other indicators related to student achievement of the essential learning outcomes and make recommendations to improve teaching, learning, and assessment. Once each year, academic colleges, student affairs, and other campus units send to ELARC their executive summaries of assessment data and other indicators of learning related to student achievement of the essential learning outcomes. Members of ELARC distill findings into an annual report of 6-8 highlights and recommended actions. The annual report is shared with campus administrators and governance groups for feedback, is revised as needed, and then is shared across campus to complete the annual cycle. ELARC monitors campus progress in meeting the recommended actions.

You can learn more about ELARC by viewing the most recent annual report and exploring other links below.

Links:

• 2012 ELARC annual report and recommendations

• The ELARC process
  

• ELARC flowchart
  

• ELARC membership 2012-2013
  

• Essential Learning Outcomes