Planning & Self-Study Release Notes for September 16, 2025

Overview

This release includes the following enhancements:

  • Organizational Measures Import
  • Assessment Plans Summary
  • Categorized Configuration Options for Admins
  • Customizing the Home Page Text
  • Adding Action Updates to Course Plans
  • Comparative Reports for Advanced Blackboard Integration
  • Updated Alignment Steps for Blackboard under Measures

Organizational Measures Import

The Organizational Measures Import allows administrators to import measures for all organizations and programs across the institution at once.

Accessing the Measures Import

The dedicated landing page for importing measures includes clear instructions and a detailed CSV template guide. 

The Organization Management page highlighting the 'Import' drop-down list with 'Import Outcomes' and 'Import Measures' options.

To access the import page:

  • Navigate to Organization Management
  • Click Import
  • Select Import Measures

Permission Controls

Access to the import feature is restricted. Only top-level (or root) administrators can access and use the import feature for measures. This option is hidden from lower-level administrators and contributors.

CSV Template and File Requirements

A pre-formatted CSV template is available for download to ensure the correct data structure before uploading.

The Organization Measures Template showing the required fields for measure import in a table structure.

Note:Measures can also be included in open past plans if specified in the import file. Administrators will need to make sure to add Yes to the data column if a measure should be added to an open past plan.

The Import measures under the Organization Management page highlighting the 'Download Template' option in the Organization Measures Template.
The Organization Management page highlighting the 'Upload CSV' option under import measures.

Please Note:

  • Only .csv files are accepted for upload.
  • The system checks for correct column headers and required fields.
  • Invalid file types or files with validation errors will block the import and display an error message.

    The Measure Errors pop-up window with a 'Review Errors' option.
  • Specific error messages are shown for missing required fields, invalid organization codes, outcome titles, measure methods, outcome types and character limits.
The Measure Errors table showing the rows, errors, and error descriptions.

Uploading and Processing

After a successful upload, a processing window and a success message will display. An option to navigate directly to Organization Management is provided. 

The system prevents simultaneous imports for the same organization. If an import is already in progress, a message will display the current uploader’s information.

Data Visibility

Successfully imported measures are stored and displayed in the following locations:

  • Manage Measures
  • Associated outcomes within an assessment plan

Assessment Plan Summary

The Assessment Plan module now includes a summary feature. It allows users to document, manage, and report on assessment plan summaries for each organization added to the plan.

Writing a Summary

The Write Summary button appears when at least one measure's status is set. 

The Current Assessment Plan page highlighting the 'Write Summary' option.

A summary editor will open. The editor includes Cancel, Save, and Remove buttons.

The Summary Editor showing Cancel, Save Summary, and Remove Summary options.

Managing a Summary

  • Save: Saves a written summary at any time to ensure all input is stored. The system will prompt to save any unsaved changes before leaving the page, which prevents data loss.
  • Remove: Remove a previously saved summary.
  • Cancel: This option will close out of the summary editor without saving changes.

Reporting and Visibility

The summary is included in all reporting formats.

  • Submitted plan report (HTML and PDF)
  • Plan Organizational Progress Summary CSV
The Current Assessment Plan page highlighting the 'Assessment Plan Summary' section.

Newly Categorized Configuration Settings

Configuration settings are now organized into two categories to make management easier:

  • Custom Directions and Terminology
  • Data Objects

Locating Configuration Options

A new search function is now available for finding specific configuration options.

  • Navigate to Admin. (left hand side panel)
  • Select Configuration Settings.
  • Use the search bar to find a specific setting.
The Configuration Settings on the admin page highlighting the search bar.

Customize the Home Page Message

Administrators can now customize the welcome message on the home page, providing flexibility in communicating with users. The message will display as a note from the institution's administrator. 

The custom home page showing a welcome message from the administrator.

Configuring the Welcome Text

  • Click on Admin.
  • Select Configuration Settings.
  • Go to the Custom Directions and Terminology category.
  • Find and click Home Page.
  • Enter the custom welcome message in the text field. (There is currently no character limit)
  • Click Save.

Note: The text is displayed on the Home Page and is not compatible with HTML tags.

The Custom Directions and Terminology section in the home page showing a text field for typing a welcome message.

Course Plan Action Updates

For institutions using course-level outcomes, leads can now add updates to action items to document and communicate progress.

Add, Edit, and Delete Action Updates

Users can now add, edit, and delete detailed updates to action items associated with course plan outcomes and measures. 

The course plan action page showing the 'Add New Update' option.
The course plan action page showing a text field under the 'Add New Update' option, with options for saving the update and cancel.
  • Updates can be up to 2000 characters long.
  • Each update displays the creation date and the name of the user who added it.

    The course plan action page showing an update, along with the creation date and the name of the person who added the update.
  • Updates can be edited or deleted, with confirmation prompts and notifications for key actions.

    The course plan action page showing an update, along with a shortcut menu with options for editing and deleting the update.
  • Updates are immediately visible after saving.
  • Updates for past reporting years can be managed under Past Findings.

Updates in Exports

Action updates are now included in several exports.

HTML & PDF Reports:

  • Action updates are included in the Actions column of assessment plan reports.
  • Each update shows the date and author.

Comprehensive Plan CSV Export:

  • The exported CSV now includes the full text of Action Updates.
  • Last Updated On (date) and Last Updated By (user name and email) are also included.
  • Each update for an action appears as a separate row. If an action has no updates, the relevant columns will be blank.
Updates in the Insights Tab

In the All Outcome Actions panel on the Insights tab, action titles are now clickable links. Clicking an action title opens a detailed view that displays the following information:

  • Action title, status, plan, course, outcome, measure, description, and due date.
  • All related updates, sorted from most to least recent (with an option to sort by oldest first).
  • Each update shows the date, author (or "Me" if the viewer is the author), and full content.
  • Users can export these details to a CSV.

Disaggregation by Filters for Blackboard Results

Administrators and contributors can now view and compare data across multiple categories for a selected measure.

The following categories are available for available for comparision:

  • Modality
  • Course Section
  • Primary Major
  • Race/Ethnicity
  • Gender
  • Generation
  • Pell Eligibility

Search and Filter

The search bar allows for filtering options within each category. The list narrows as text is typed. The number of selected options is displayed on the flyout. Click Clear to reset the filter and remove all selected options.

Chart Filter Sync

Comparison chart filters are based on selections made in the aggregate chart.

  • When a modality or course section is selected in the aggregate chart, comparison filters for other categories will be restricted to data tied to that selection.
  • Selecting student filters (gender, race/ethnicity, etc) in the chart will not restrict the Modality or Course Section filters in the comparison chart.

Managing Comparison Charts

Accordion View: Selected category options are displayed as an accordion. Each selected option shows its own comparison chart with Met/Not Met percentages and assessment counts.

The Compare Data Insights window displaying a comparison chart with Met/Not Met percentages under each of the two modality options.
  • Select up to three options per category to compare data. An alert will appear if more than three options are selected.

Editing and Deleting

  • Edit: Change selections for a category at any time. The comparison charts will update automatically upon saving the changes.
The Compare Data Insights window showing a comparison chart with Met/Not Met percentages under each of the two modality options, along with a shortcut menu with options for editing selections and deleting the chart.
  • Delete: A confirmation prompt will appear before a comparison chart is permanently removed. 
A pop-up window of the confirmation for deleting a chart, with 'Delete' and 'Cancel' options.

Note: Deleted charts are permanently removed, and new charts reflect current selections.

Downloading a Report

A Download Results button is available to generate a report.

  • Click Download Results to start the download.

    The Compare Data Insights window displaying a comparison chart under each of the two course sections, along with a shortcut menu highlighting the 'Download Results' option.
  • A message will appear: "Your report will download automatically when ready."

    The Compare Data Insights window displaying a comparison chart under each of the two course sections and highlighting the message 'Your report will download automatically when ready.'

PDF Export

The generated PDF report includes:

  • The aggregate chart.
  • Relevant comparison charts
  • Measure analysis and actions
A PDF document showing three comparison charts.

Updated Alignment for Blackboard Measures

The steps for aligning measures from Blackboard have been updated. The Align By Rubric option has been removed, and the alignment process now begins directly with selecting activities.

  • Select Blackboard as the source for the measure.

    A pop-up window prompting to select a source for the alignment, with the source selected as 'Blackboard' from the dropdown menu.
  • Go to the Select Activities step. This is now the first step in the alignment process.

    The Select Activity page showing a dropdown menu for selecting a term.
  • Continue with the rest of the alignment flow as usual.
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