Assessment is considered essential. Virtually every accrediting body requires on-going assessment and demonstrated impact of the assessment process. Assessment involves scholarship. Assessment is here to stay. Assessment has been around too long to be considered new or trendy, and it won't quietly fade away.
Authentic assessment is on the rise.
Assessment is moving from standardized tests to performance-based assessment. Tests are becoming more complex, authentic, and real-world in character. They go beyond multiple-choice questions and ask students to write, show steps as they solve problems, and demonstrate creativity in tasks requiring design and analysis. The emphasis is on learning, not teaching. We should assess programs, not just courses, and we should consider the impact of the entire environment on our students, including learning related to options such as clubs, research or performance forums, and community service.