Describes and critiques the four traditional conceptions of educational excellence (reputational, resources, outcomes, and content views); explains and defends the talent development approach, and presents a conception of educational equity. (Author/LHW)

Though the terms "talent" and "talent loss" can be defined several ways, social scientists and educators doing research define them in surprisingly uniform and limited ways. Some of the fallacies and limitations of these definitions are pointed out and some alternative approaches are suggested. (Article originally published in…

Many of the issues concerning assessment in higher education are really issues of values, philosophy, and theory, rather than practical, nuts-and-bolts issues. Excellence as the development of human talent, competition or cooperation, outcomes, and improving assessment practices are discussed. (MLW)

Advocates an alternative conception of excellence in higher education, one based on how well an institution can develop its students' talents, not on the quality of the entering class's grades and test scores. Such an outlook would increase minority enrollment. (DM)

Values and beliefs that govern educational practices are discussed, as is an alternative value perspective more consistent with the spirit of reform suggested by national reports. Reputational and resource views of excellence are described. Curriculum, teaching, grading, testing, and faculty personnel policies are discussed. (MLW)

Higher education's principal reason for being is seen as that of developing student talents. This premise suggests that a high-quality institution is one that maximizes the intellectual and personal development of its students. Student involvement is seen as the cornerstone of academic excellence. (MLW)

When a college or university's identity is closely linked to its education mission, the quality of student life and the effectiveness of the educational program assumes much greater importance. The talent development view of excellence that emphasizes the educational impact of the institution on its students is discussed. (MLW)

This book's purpose is to show .how assessment can be used to enhance the educational and research functions of colleges and universities by promoting talent development among both students and faculty members. Chapters cover the following topics: (1) review of traditional uses of student assessment; (2) the input-environment-outcome model which…