Assessing Student Learning : A Common Sense Guide

by Suskie, Linda; Banta, Trudy W.

• ISBN13: 9780470289648
• ISBN10: 0470289643
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-23
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

The first edition of Assessing Student Learning has become the standard reference for college faculty and administrators who are charged with the task of assessing student learning within their institutions. The second edition of this landmark book offers the same practical guidance and is designed to meet ever-increasing demands for improvement and accountability. This edition includes expanded coverage of vital assessment topics such as promoting an assessment culture, characteristics of good assessment, audiences for assessment, organizing and coordinating assessment, assessing attitudes and values, setting benchmarks and standards, and using results to inform and improve teaching, learning, planning, and decision making. Praise for the Second Edition of Assessing Student Learning "All of us engaged in assessing student learning will benefit from Linda Suskie's continued work to define and refine assessment concepts and strategies. She asks, and answers, the hard questions we all need to address to plan and implement a successful assessment program." Randy L. Swing, executive director, Association for Institutional Research "Once again, Linda Suskie provides a clear and comprehensive guide to assessment. Her truly commonsense approach distills vast amounts of scholarship on the topic and provides excellent examples of good practice. This book will be an invaluable resource to faculty and administrators working on assessment." Madeleine F. Green, vice president for international initiatives, American Council on Education "This book is a self-contained manual to assist anyone with the implementation of outcomes-based assessment. I highly recommend it to all of my students because Linda Suskie illustrates each step in great detail and answers common assessment questions clearly. I own two copies of the first edition, because one is always in use by one or more of my colleagues." Marilee J. Bresciani, associate professor, Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education, and codirector, Center for Educational Leadership, Innovation, and Policy, San Diego State University

Author Biography

Linda Suskie, internationally acclaimed writer, speaker, trainer, and consultant on higher education assessment, is a vice president of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Understanding Assessment

What Is Assessment?

How Can Student Learning Be Assessed?

What Is Good Assessment?

Planning For Assessment Success

Why Are You Assessing Student Learning?

The Keys to a Culture of Assessment: Tangible Value and Respect

Supporting Assessment Efforts with Time, Infrastructure, and Resources

Organizing an Assessment Process

Developing Learning Goals

The Assessment Toolbox

Using a Scoring Guide or Rubric to Plan and Evaluate an Assignment

Creating an Effective Assignment

Writing a Traditional Test

Assessing Values, Attitudes, Dispositions, and Habits of Mind

Assembling Assessment Information into Portfolios

Selecting a Published Test or Survey

Understanding And Using Assessment Results

Setting Benchmarks or Standards

Summarizing and Analyzing Assessment Results

Sharing Assessment Results with Internal and External Audiences

Using Assessment Results Effectively and Appropriately

Keeping the Momentum Going

References

Recommended Readings

Assessment Resources

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.