Assessing student learning : a common sense guide

What is assessment? -- How can student learning be assessed? -- What is good assessment? -- 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 -- Using a scoring guide or rubric to plan and evaluate an assignment -- Creating an effective assignment -- Writing a traditional test -- Assessing attitudes, values, dispositions, and habits of mind -- Assembling assessment information into portfolios -- Selecting a published test or survey -- 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.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 323-330) and index.

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.