Only the coordinator of assessment has access to all portfolios. For assessment purposes, there is a mechanism in the computer that draws out folders anonymously. Al Katz, coordinator for assessment, said that in 1985 faculty created an all-university committee to explore assessment. Katz has been the coordinator for assessment since 1987. From 1987-1998, assessment for general education has been done using the ACT Comp.
All standardized exams are very crude instruments.
Three years ago the assessment committee began talking to faculty, university student senate and staff about an electronic portfolio assessment for general education. They took each phase to colleagues and various national meetings. A pilot program was launched in 1998-1999 with 27 students. The students received two credits for the experience to apply toward graduation. However, academic affairs and university student senate said that once this became the policy of all students, electronic portfolios would not be a credit-bearing experience.