Purpose of Assessment

With accountability at the forefront of higher education, assessment has become the integral core of this issue. Postsecondary institutions are expected to provide a framework to encourage, cultivate, and nurture student success in pursuing their educational goals.

Assessment provides an opportunity for feedback, reflection, and improvement of teaching and learning across multiple levels, including the classroom, program, and institution level. The Missouri Assessment Consortium identifies three major purposes of assessment:

• Improvement of student learning and instruction
• Achievement of institutional mission
• Accountability for achievement of educational goals

Although assessment should be integrated into the full scope of services offered by an institution, including academic services, administration, student affairs, institutional planning, and resource allocation, the focus of institutional assessment must be on student learning (Missouri Assessment Consortium, Handbook of Assessment).

Additionally, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has linked assessment with regional accreditation. Institutions are expected to document the use of assessment results to improve student learning. The Commission's Statement on Assessment of Student Learning asserts, "Therefore, an organization committed to understanding and improving the learning opportunities and environments it provides students will be able to document the relationship between assessment of and improvement in student learning" (Restructured Expectations: A Transitional Workbook, 2003).

Institutions are increasingly called upon by various constituents, including students, parents, legislators, and taxpayers, to validate the quality of education offered within their doors. Sound institutional assessment processes provide the feedback necessary for continuous improvement and mission fulfillment.