Assessment Essentials: Planning, Implementing, and Improving Assessment in Higher Education

THE ESSENTIAL TEXT ON HIGHER EDUCATION ASSESSMENT, REVISED AND UPDATED In this thoroughly revised edition of Assessment Essentials , the bestselling text on outcomes assessment in higher education, you will find, in a familiar framework, nearly all new material, examples from more than 100 campuses, and indispensable descriptions of direct and indirect assessment methods that have helped to educate faculty, staff, and students about assessment. Leading authorities Trudy Banta and Catherine Palomba draw on research, standards, and best practices to address the timeliest issues in higher education accountability. This edition includes information on the use of electronic portfolios, rubrics and course–embedded assessment, assessment in student affairs, and how to assess institutional effectiveness. “It’s hard to improve on a classic, but Banta and Palomba have done so with this updated edition of Assessment Essentials , which is replete with examples of what effective assessment work looks like in different types of institutions.” —George D. Kuh, director, National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment, and adjunct professor, University of Illinois and Indiana University “Banta and Palomba’s new edition of Assessment Essentials covers a wide range of current topics that are crucial for faculty, staff, and administrators to follow as they strive to sustain effective assessments. I highly recommend this comprehensive resource for academic leaders and others in higher education who want to maintain the quality of their assessment efforts.” —Elizabeth A. Jones, professor of education and doctoral program director, Holy Family University “A sweeping update that brilliantly reflects the evolution of the field. Institutions should use it to build the assessment infrastructure they will need in the brave new world of prior learning assessment and competency–based education.” —Barbara D. Wright, vice president, WASC Senior College and University Commission

Foreword Preface About the Authors 1. Defining Assessment Some Definitions Pioneering in Assessment Quality Assurance: An International Perspective Assessment Purposes Values and Guiding Principles 2. Assessment Essentials Planning Effective Assessment Implementing Effective Assessment Improving and Sustaining Assessment Additional Thoughts 3. Engaging Faculty and Students in Assessment Involving Faculty in Assessment Involving Students in Assessment Acting with Integrity 4. Setting Expectations and Preparing to Select Measures Intentions for Learning: Goals, Objectives, Outcomes Developing Statements of Expectations Selecting Methods and Approaches Designing Instruments Determining Approaches for Implementation Putting Everything Together 5. Using Direct Measures Using Classroom Assignments for Outcomes Assessment Performance Assessment Rubrics Aggregating Assessment Results in and across Courses Using Objective Tests for Outcomes Assessment Electronic Portfolios 6. Using Indirect Assessment Methods Using Surveys in Assessment Using Focus Groups in Assessment Additional Indirect Methods Qualitative versus Quantitative Approaches Classroom Assessment Techniques 7. Assessing Learning in the Major Capstone Experiences and Courses Portfolios Experiential Education Group Work and Team–Building Skills Employer Involvement Intentional Learning 8. Assessing Learning in General Education The Nature of General Education Assessment Choices and Issues Using Commercial Instruments and the Voluntary System of Accountability Assessing Specific Aspects of General Education Values and Attitudes The Degree Qualifications Profile Assessing General Education Outcomes within the Major 9. Assessing Student Learning and Program Effectiveness in Student Affairs Foundations for Assessment in Student Affairs Mission, Goals, and Objectives Leadership and Preparation for Assessment in Student Affairs Assessment Frameworks, Models, and Diagrams Assessment Plans and Methods Reporting and Sharing Results Communicating Results Ethical Behavior Improving Assessment Rewards for Assessment 10. Analyzing, Reporting, and Using Assessment Results Helping Faculty and Staff Use Their Assessment Results Assessment Reporting by Departments and Programs Managing Data Assessing Unit Reports Making the Process Transparent Institutional Assessment Reporting Analyzing Assessment Information Displaying Results Other Considerations 11. Assessing Institutional Effectiveness Linking Assessment and Institutional Planning: An Example Organizing to Assess Institutional Effectiveness Planning and Institutional Improvement at IUPUI Administering an Assessment Plan Considering Costs Linking Assessment to Other Valued Processes 12. Summing Up: A Time of Transition Current Practice Continuing Challenges Finding a Home for Assessment Creating a Culture of Assessment References Index

TRUDY W. BANTA is a professor of higher education and senior advisor to the chancellor for academic planning and evaluation at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. She is the founding editor of Assessment Update , a bimonthly periodical published by Jossey–Bass. CATHERINE A. PALOMBA is director emeritus of assessment and institutional research at Ball State University.