A comprehensive expansion to the essential higher education assessment text This second edition of Assessment Essentials updates the bestselling first edition, the go-to resource on outcomes assessment in higher education. In this thoroughly revised edition, 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. Outcomes assessment is of increasing importance in higher education, especially as new technologies and policy proposals spotlight performance-based success measures. Leading authorities Trudy Banta and Catherine Palomba draw on research, standards, and best practices to address the timeless and timeliest issues in higher education accountability. New topics include: Using electronic portfolios in assessment Rubrics and course-embedded assessment Assessment in student affairs Assessing institutional effectiveness As always, the step-by-step approach of Assessment Essentials will guide you through the process of developing an assessment program, from the research and planning phase to implementation and beyond, with more than 100 examples along the way. Assessment data are increasingly being used to guide everything from funding to hiring to curriculum decisions, and all faculty and staff will need to know how to use them effectively. Perfect for anyone new to the assessment process, as well as for the growing number of assessment professionals, this expanded edition of Assessment Essentials will be an essential resource on every college campus.

A comprehensive expansion to the essential higher educationassessment textThis second edition of Assessment Essentials updates thebestselling first edition, the go-to resource on outcomesassessment in higher education. In this thoroughly revised editionyou will find, in a familiar framework, nearly all new materialexamples from more than 100 campuses, and indispensabledescriptions of direct and indirect assessment methods that havehelped to educate faculty, staff, and students aboutassessment.Outcomes assessment is of increasing importance in highereducation, especially as new technologies and policy proposalsspotlight performance-based success measures. Leading authoritiesTrudy Banta and Catherine Palomba draw on research, standards, andbest practices to address the timeless and timeliest issues inhigher education accountability. New topics include:* Using electronic portfolios in assessment* Rubrics and course-embedded assessment* Assessment in student affairs* Assessing institutional effectivenessAs always, the step-by-step approach of AssessmentEssentials will guide you through the process of developing anassessment program, from the research and planning phase toimplementation and beyond, with more than 100 examples along theway. Assessment data are increasingly being used to guideeverything from funding to hiring to curriculum decisions, and allfaculty and staff will need to know how to use them effectively.Perfect for anyone new to the assessment process, as well as forthe growing number of assessment professionals, this expandededition of Assessment Essentials will be an essentialresource on every college campus.

ForewordPrefaceAbout the Authors1. Defining AssessmentSome DefinitionsPioneering in AssessmentQuality Assurance: An International PerspectiveAssessment PurposesValues and Guiding Principles2. Assessment EssentialsPlanning Effective AssessmentImplementing Effective AssessmentImproving and Sustaining AssessmentAdditional Thoughts3. Engaging Faculty and Students in AssessmentInvolving Faculty in AssessmentInvolving Students in AssessmentActing with Integrity4. Setting Expectations and Preparing to Select MeasuresIntentions for Learning: Goals, Objectives, OutcomesDeveloping Statements of ExpectationsSelecting Methods and ApproachesDesigning InstrumentsDetermining Approaches for ImplementationPutting Everything Together5. Using Direct MeasuresUsing Classroom Assignments for Outcomes AssessmentPerformance AssessmentRubricsAggregating Assessment Results in and across CoursesUsing Objective Tests for Outcomes AssessmentElectronic Portfolios6. Using Indirect Assessment MethodsUsing Surveys in AssessmentUsing Focus Groups in AssessmentAdditional Indirect MethodsQualitative versus Quantitative ApproachesClassroom Assessment Techniques7. Assessing Learning in the MajorCapstone Experiences and CoursesPortfoliosExperiential EducationGroup Work and Team-Building SkillsEmployer InvolvementIntentional Learning8. Assessing Learning in General EducationThe Nature of General EducationAssessment Choices and IssuesUsing Commercial Instruments and the Voluntary System of AccountabilityAssessing Specific Aspects of General EducationValues and AttitudesThe Degree Qualifications ProfileAssessing General Education Outcomes within the Major9. Assessing Student Learning and Program Effectiveness in Student AffairsFoundations for Assessment in Student AffairsMission, Goals, and ObjectivesLeadership and Preparation for Assessment in Student AffairsAssessment Frameworks, Models, and DiagramsAssessment Plans and MethodsReporting and Sharing ResultsCommunicating ResultsEthical BehaviorImproving AssessmentRewards for Assessment10. Analyzing, Reporting, and Using Assessment ResultsHelping Faculty and Staff Use Their Assessment ResultsAssessment Reporting by Departments and ProgramsManaging DataAssessing Unit ReportsMaking the Process TransparentInstitutional Assessment ReportingAnalyzing Assessment InformationDisplaying ResultsOther Considerations11. Assessing Institutional EffectivenessLinking Assessment and Institutional Planning: An ExampleOrganizing to Assess Institutional EffectivenessPlanning and Institutional Improvement at IUPUIAdministering an Assessment PlanConsidering CostsLinking Assessment to Other Valued Processes12. Summing Up: A Time of TransitionCurrent PracticeContinuing ChallengesFinding a Home for AssessmentCreating a Culture of AssessmentReferencesIndex