Beyond the Grade: Creating Assessments that Capture Skills for Career Readiness

As higher education evolves to include more non-traditional learning pathways like skills-first and work-based learning, how can educators ensure and measure the effectiveness of such programs? While standard assessments can measure a student's theoretical knowledge, they often need to adapt in order to capture the nuances of practical skills and the depth of real-world experiences–creating a bridge between theory and application. Featuring institutional leaders and work-based learning experts, this session explores proven methods and innovative strategies designed to evaluate and amplify experiential learning. From direct observation to reflective journals, speakers explore a range of assessment tools that measure learning outcomes and significantly enhance student engagement and motivation.