There are no high-stakes exams in Minerva^® programs. Instead, we utilize three types of evaluation: timely and informal feedback during group sessions, individual feedback in conversation with instructors, and frequent formal assessment of learners’ understanding and use of the cognitive tools and concepts being taught. By focusing learning on these specific skills, we can realize precise, measurable outcomes.

The third component of our integrated approach allows learner progress to be carefully tended, through frequent feedback and systematic evaluation. These informal and formal assessments are informed by participation and performance data, which track the prompted and unprompted use of the learning outcomes around which our curricula are designed.

The robust tracking and assessment tools in Forum™ empower instructors and institutions to deliver formative feedback, both in the moment and over time. Because every session is recorded, all learners and instructors have access to in-class performance data, including tagged moments, which enables regular informed learner-instructor feedback sessions. Forum also provides a sophisticated assessment tool, letting instructors systematically evaluate each learner against course objectives.

These data can be shared across courses, instructors, and departments, leading to better integration of critique, support, and grading. Students can also follow their own performance and progress, encouraging self-reflection, intellectual growth, and skills development.

All Minerva programs are continuously tracked against a series of benchmarks measuring aggregate learner performance and progress, as well as overall program impact. Our impact measurement process creates a dynamic output that gives you clarity about learner engagement, performance, and growth, as well as learner and instructor perceptions of course efficacy and general satisfaction.

Instructors provide ongoing inputs based on each session, assignment, and learner evaluation, and learners and instructors are regularly surveyed. By generating this wealth of data, we provide a comprehensive view of course and program effectiveness, surfacing key insights for instructor coaching, curricular refinement, and ongoing program success.

Our learner assessment and impact measurement processes are based upon key performance metrics aimed at answering the following key questions:

• In what ways were the program goals achieved?
• How much did learners progress?
• To what degree were learners engaged?
• What were the instructor perceptions of Minerva training, support, and workload?
• Did instructors use effective teaching, assessment, and lesson planning techniques?
• Did any novel developments arise through the partnership?
• What are the recommendations for program improvement?

Overall, Minerva is committed to ensuring that every learner benefits from our programs, and that every partner realizes a return on their investment in our partnership.