T o assist faculty, student affairs staff, and administrative staff in the process of their assessment of learning and development outcomes. This process includes defining educational objectives, evaluating the quality of assessment methods via reliability and validity information, collecting and maintaining information through technological application, and analyzing and reporting assessment information. This process of assessment, and particularly the learning and developmental outcomes, will be reported in academic program review. T o serve as a resource to faculty and staff for the design and conduct of research studies such as standard setting in programs associated with the achievement and enhancement of the educational mission. T o contribute to JMU and professional staff disciplines by publishing research and performing service such as leadership in the Virginia Assessment Group.
Professional staff hold dual appointments with an academic program in their specialty.
T o coordinate the doctoral program in assessment and measurement and instruct its students in theoretical and applied contexts. In 1985, the Commonwealth of Virginia chose several Virginia institutions to explore issues in accountability and assessment in higher education. James Madison University was chosen as one of these institutions. They came back from these campus visits recommending an Assessment office, and advising JMU to bring new expertise to the campus to lead assessment work. The five faculty members became the search committee for a new assessment position.