During the last decade, colleges and universities have been called upon by a strong and influential externally driven movement to publicly demonstrate how academic programs continuously improve. National organizations and agencies, and some state legislatures, have been among those demanding more visible accountability and concrete verification that fiscal and human resources invested in educational institutions are being used in ways that result in high quality education. The UW System has required some form of student outcomes assessment from all UW institutions since 1900 in order to demonstrate to the Board of Regents and the legislature that the university is being responsive to the public demand for greater accountability. NCA requires that all member institutions employ student outcomes assessment measures in general education and in all undergraduate and graduate majors. Successful assessment emerges from a conceptual framework.
Successful assessment is marked by faculty ownership and responsibility.
Successful assessment has institution-wide support. Successful assessment relies on multiple measures. Successful assessment provides feedback to students and the institution. Successful assessment is cost-effective. Successful assessment does not restrict or inhibit goals of access, equity, and diversity established by the institution.