Current higher education assessment practices and goals of additional assessment are discussed in testimony before the National Governors Association Task Force on College Quality. Ways to improve the assessment process are also suggested by the chair-elect of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. In addition to student course grades, additional assessment systems include questionnaires of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. Regional and specialized accreditation are noted as ways to strengthen review of the curriculum. Difficulties with the use of a standard single assessment approach are noted. Weaknesses of the current system of assessment are identified: many institutions do not fully evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum, particularly the general education component; and available data are not effectively used. Approaches that may improve the higher education assessment system include: making data comparative; communicating assessment information to the relevant decision-makers; providing financial and psychological support to those who make changes based on the information; and involving faculty in evaluating the impact of the curriculum. (SW)