There is a growing body of literature about assessment in higher education. Much of it is devoted to advocating the benefits of assessment, describing how assessment initiatives and programs might be organized within an institution, identifying key attributes of successful assessment projects (leadership, resources, faculty engagement), and…

Examines the complexities, costs, and questions in planning and implementing feasible, reasoned assessment created by the dual phenomena of assessment and student mobility. Highlights institutional responsibility, student competence, timeliness, multiple and redundant assessment requirements, and lack of interinstitutional collaboration as issues…

Program-level assessments at community colleges are particularly challenging because students often achieve their goals without completing a program, or they select an array of courses that suit their needs but do not fit within an officially recognized program of study.

Describes three qualitative research approaches used at Oakton Community College to provide insights into student experience as well as college assessment and promotion activities. Indicates that, when used with quantitative research, qualitative research results in a more comprehensive and realistic appraisal of student outcomes and institutional…

Analyzes the outcomes of a learning assessment approach used at a Midwest community college. Reports that data were obtained from students' scores on prompts and the college's student information management system. Finds that: (1) 76% of prompts were scored at a level that indicated students met general education achievement levels; and (2) 55% of…

Discusses student tracking system development in terms of purposes, audience, organizational issues, and data utilization. Considers benefits (e.g., facilitates reporting behavioral outcomes, and illuminates the complementary/conflicting nature of college services) and costs (e.g., direct costs for computer programing, postage, printing, etc., and…