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Student Rights
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Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL)
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Accommodations, Considerations, and Deferrals
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Exam Procedures
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Submitting Final Grades
McGill's Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL) promotes fair and transparent assessment practices.
These include the rights of students to:
Feedback on Assessment
Students may view and consult any written assessment (if recorded), or other artifact they created for which a grade has been assigned, along with an explanation of the grade. This right is available until the end of the following term.
Reasonable Accommodation
Students requiring disability-related academic accommodations have the right to request reasonable accommodation in fulfilling an assessment task in a course.
Submit in English or French
Students shall be permitted to use either English or French in completing any assessment task, except for courses in which acquiring proficiency in a particular language is one of the learning outcomes, and in-class oral presentations.
And more
Understand all guidelines and procedures for fair and transparent assessment in
McGill's Policy on the Assessment of Student Learning (PASL)
McGill’s Policy on Assessment of Student Learning (PASL) is in effect as of Fall 2024.
PASL provides a set of common principles to guide the assessment of student learning. At its core, PASL seeks to ensure that assessment is equitable and consistent, and promotes effective learning experiences, a healthy learning environment, and academic integrity.
SCS's Local Guidelines and Procedures
PASL Presentation for SCS Instructors
SCS Guidelines and Procedures for the Assessment of Student Learning
Lignes directrices et procédures de l’ÉÉP relatives à l’évaluation de l’apprentissage
Definitions
Considerations
Time-limited adjustments for students experiencing a personal situation (extenuating circumstances such as illness or family emergencies) that prevents them from submitting an assignment on time or writing an exam.
Accommodations
Individualized plans from the McGill Student Accessibility and Achievement (SAA) Office for students experiencing academic or physical barriers with a documented disability, mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other impairment. Instructors are not involved in the assessment of these requests; the SAA Office will notify you of the accommodations.
Handling Student Requests
Note about confidentiality: Do not disclose personal or identifiable information regarding health or accessibility concerns of students to anyone, including administrative staff.
Considerations for an assessment
Students must make a request for a consideration from the instructor as soon as possible when an unforeseen situation arises.
Absences of fewer than five (5) days do not require medical documentation as per the directive from the Ministère de l’enseignement supérieur. For absences of five days or more, instructors may request medical documentation at their discretion.
Recurrent or extended absences may not always be possible to accommodate. Instructors should use their judgement to determine what is fair, feasible, and equitable, keeping in mind course integrity, local guidelines, and the potential impact on other students. In some cases, withdrawal from the course may be the most appropriate option.
- Work in collaboration with the student to determine and implement a reasonable academic consideration.
- Consult with the Academic Program Coordinator, Domain Director, and/or the Associate Dean of Student Success and Enrollment Management if needed.
- Communicate the final decision to the student in writing via email.
Exam deferrals and rescheduling
- Direct students to SCS Student Services for all questions and requests about final exam deferrals or rescheduling of midterm exams. You are NOT allowed to enter into any agreements with students regarding the rescheduling of exams. You can, however, grant considerations and make arrangements for missed quizzes as long as they are not considered midterms or final exams.
- If a student has been approved to write an exam at an alternate time, you are required to prepare a deferred exam.
- SCS Instructor Services will reach out to you to obtain a copy of the exam and inform you once it is completed by the student.
Official accommodation plans
The Student Accessibility and Achievement (SAA) Office ensures that the University meets the standards established for students with disabilities.
You will be notified if one of your students has an accommodation plan or will be writing their exam with the SAA Office, and SCS Instructor Services will reach out to you with further instructions.
Please review the following instructions in preparation for exams.
Note that this page is not applicable to English and French language instructors (APCs will communicate about in-class testing when needed).
Submit the Exam/Assessment Form at the beginning of the term
You are required to indicate to SCS Instructor Services whether or not the course you are teaching has a final exam. Please fill out this form once your Course Outline has been approved.
Design your exam
Determine the format and questions of your exam as far in advance as possible.
Content must vary term to term: You are required to change and redesign exams and assignments every term. For more information, refer to section 9.1 in SCS's Guidelines and Procedures for the Assessment of Student Learning.
Multiple-choice exams: University policy stipulates that if the exam consists of multiple-choice questions, you are required to submit at least two versions of the same exam: the original and a scrambled version. In classes with two hundred or more students, four versions are required.
Submit a copy to Instructor Services
Whether an exam is offered in person or online, a copy must be submitted to Instructor Services (instructors.conted [at] mcgill.ca (instructors[dot]conted[at]mcgill[dot]ca)) for record keeping and archiving purposes. You will receive an email reminder to submit a copy about a month before the start of the exam period.
Printing: SCS Instructor Services is responsible for the printing and packaging of exams administered in person.Attend the first 30 minutes of the exam
Exam schedules and locations are posted for students on the main SCS website.
You must attend the first 30 minutes of the final exam to answer any questions raised by students. If you are personally unable to attend, arrangements should be made for the presence of a qualified authorized substitute through your Academic Program Coordinator.
Deferral Requests
Direct students to SCS Student Services for all questions and requests about final exam deferrals or rescheduling of midterm exams. Find more information about deferrals here.
Questions?
Reach out to SCS Instructor Services at instructors.conted [at] mcgill.ca (instructors[dot]conted[at]mcgill[dot]ca).
About Instructor Services
Review Student Assessment Policies
Ensure you are familiar with McGill's Policy on the Assessment of Student Learning (PASL).
The School of Continuing Studies does not have a final class grade averaging policy. Please grade student work based on demonstrated achievement of specified learning outcomes for each assignment.
Enter Final Marks
Deadlines
Case Submission Deadline If there is a final exam Within 2 weeks after the date of the final exam If there is no final exam Within 2 weeks after the last class If you have a student that is graduating Within 3 days after the final exam; within 3 days of the last class if there is no final exam Credit Courses
Instructors for credit courses must enter final grades in Minerva in numerical format from the Faculty Menu > Final Grades. Note that grades entered on myCourses do not go on students' transcripts.
Non-credit Courses
Instructors for non-credit courses must enter final grades in Athena.
Submit a Mark Breakdown to Instructor Services
Once the grades have been entered in Minerva, you must then submit a Mark Breakdown Spreadsheet to SCS Instructor Services at instructors.conted [at] mcgill.ca (instructors[dot]conted[at]mcgill[dot]ca).
Use the SCS Gradebook template (or your own Excel spreadsheet as long as it complies with all the requirements necessary for grade submission).
The Mark Breakdown in an Excel spreadsheet will allow Instructor Services to:
- Validate the grades entered in Minerva and make corrections in case of a discrepancy
- Assign a letter instead of a numerical format where appropriate (e.g., J, NA)
- Avoid rolling blank grades
Questions?
Reach out to SCS Instructor Services at instructors.conted [at] mcgill.ca (instructors[dot]conted[at]mcgill[dot]ca).