Assessment in Higher Education

Assessment in Higher Education brings together in one place most of the major issues confronting higher education in the 1990s. These include enhancing student access, development, and success in higher education; transforming admissions testing to meet expanding educational needs; resolving the politics of accountability by assessing quality outcomes of higher education; assuring fair assessment responsive to human diversity; and facing the technological future of higher education. An integrative thread that weaves through all of these issues is the concept of equity, especially as it bears on social justice in education and on fairness in assessment. Another integrative thread is the role of computer and multimedia technology not only in improving the efficiency and power of all the functions of higher education assessment, but also in revolutionizing the delivery of higher education itself.

Messick, Samuel J.

Contents: Part I:Prelude. S. Messick,The Changing Face of Higher Education Assessment. The Changing Face of Higher Education Assessment. Part II:Enhancing Student Access and Success in Higher Education.A.W. Chickering, Personal Qualities and Human Development in Higher Education: Assessment in the Service of Educational Goals. K.P. Cross, Assessment to Improve College Instruction. M. Keeton, Assessing and Credentialing Learning From Prior Experience. W.J. McKeachie, Feedback and Reflection in Facilitating Further Learning. Sister J. Read, Characteristics of Assessment in Support of Student Access and Success. Part III:Expanding Admissions Testing.R.L. Linn, Implications of Standards-Based Education Reform for Admissions Testing. H.H. Breland, From 2 to 3 Rs: *The Expanding Use of Writing in Admissions. H.T. Everson, A Theory-Based Framework for Future College Admissions Tests. R.E. Snow, Commentary. Expanding the Breadth and Depth of Admissions Testing. F.A. Hargadon, Interpreting Scores in Context to Identify Student Potential. Part IV:Politics and Public Policy of Higher Education Assessment.P.T. Ewell, Assessment of Higher Eduction Quality: Promise and Politics. A.W. Astin, Assessment, Student Development, and Public Policy. Part V:Issues of Equity and Fairness in Higher Education Assessment.R.E. Bennett, Computer-Based Testing for Examinees With Disabilities: On the Road to Generalized Accommodation. R.P. Durán, Directions in the Assessment of Linguistic Minorities. E. Gordon, Human Diversity and Equitable Assessment. W.W. Willingham, A Systemic View of Test Fairness. Part VI:Prospects.S. Messick, Technology and the Future of Higher Education Assessment.