Course Description
Methods and techniques used in assessing educational outcomes in colleges and universities. Analysis and interpretation of problems, issues, and concerns involved in public demands for assessment and accountability.
Athena Title
ASSESSMT IN HIGH ED
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. The student will acquire a working vocabulary of the terms commonly associated with assessment and evaluation; 2. The student will be able to describe, and critique techniques and methods currently used in assessment and evaluation studies; 3. The student will be able to select and apply appropriate instruments, methods, and strategies for assessing specific educational outcomes; 4. The student will demonstrate competence in designing, implementing and evaluating activities for class and program evaluation; 5. The student will be able to develop appropriate research designs for assessment and evaluation at a variety of levels in accordance with a wide range of educational purposes and outcomes; 6. The student will be able to discuss the problems, issues, and concerns involved in public demands for assessment and accountability ?? and to interpret or explain the policy implications of outcomes assessment for the improvement of undergraduate education;
Topical Outline
I. Philosophy and Practice of Assessment A. Definitions and Terms (Measurement, Assessment, Evaluation) B. Guiding Principles in Assessment C. Levels of Assessment (class, course, program, institutional, other) D. Focus of Assessment (individual or group) E. Purpose of Assessment (Summative or Formative) F. Use of Assessment Data II. I-E-O Model of Student Assessment A. Inputs (demographics, academic, other) B. Environments (curricular, instructional strategies, institutional) C. Outcomes (skills, cognitive, behavioral attitudinal) III. Overview of Instruments and Methods A. Traditional Measures (standardized tests and commercial instruments) B. Non-traditional measures (portfolios, observations, & self-assessment) C. Issues in measurement & assessment (reliability, validity, & credibility) D. Core competencies and specific outcomes E. Intellectual/cognitive/academic competiencies F. Attitudes, beliefs, and values G. Pre-assessment and post assessment H. Classroom assessment IV. Accountability, Assessment, and Quality A. Accreditation, institutional B. Accreditation, specialized C. Program review D. Performance Indicators E. Benchmarking F. Rankings and Ratings V. Policy Issues in Assessment A. Who? What? When? Where? B. Why? C. Uses and Scoial Impact D. Adverse Affects E. Credibility of Fairness