PULSE Rubrics
The PULSE Rubrics assist departments in determining the extent to which they have implemented evidence-based practices and actions to promote excellence in teaching and students’ learning.
The PULSE Vision is an educated citizenry that routinely applies scientific knowledge, reasoning, and creative insight to address real-world challenges.
Curriculum Alignment
The 11 criteria of this rubric focus on the integration of the core concepts and competencies presented in the 2011 Vision and Change report
Assessment
The 16 criteria of this rubric involve analyzing a department’s efforts in the areas of course level and program level assessment
Faculty Practice & Support
The 20 criteria of this rubric focus on different aspects of student higher-level learning and learning beyond the classroom. In addition, this rubric assists departments in evaluating their faculty development opportunities
Infrastructure
The 10 criteria of this rubric focus on different learning spaces, such as classroom and labs, as well as the resources and supports available to the department.
Climate for Change
The 8 criteria of this rubric allow departments to consider their attitudes towards change aligned with the recommendations of national reports such as Vision and Change, as well as strategies implemented to promote changes in teaching culture
Building Community and Collaboration
The 12 criteria of this rubric assess the adoption of high impact practices known to improve success for all students, recognition and avoidance of biases in research practices of science, climate for students and faculty, faculty professional development in support of classroom environments for all students, and student persistence and success. This rubric was originally published in JMBE in 2022 and was updated in early 2025.
The Snapshot Rubric
A shorter version of 21 criteria, known as the PULSE Snapshot Rubric is also available. The Snapshot rubric consists of items taken from the full rubric set and can serve an initial starting point for departments to experience the PULSE rubrics.
Combined Rubric
A single PDF that includes all six of the rubrics above.
Six Rubrics help you assess your department’s alignment with best practices in STEM education
The PULSE Recognition Program is currently supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) IUSE-EHR award 2012213.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations contained within pulserecognition.org are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF.
