Meta-Assessment of the Assessment Culture: Using a Formal Review to Guide Improvement in Assessment Practices and Document Progress

Claudia J. Stanny & Angela A. Bryan   |    Volume 16 Issue 2  |   

Meta-assessment is a useful strategy to document assessment practices and guide efforts to improve the culture of assessment at an institution. In this study, a meta-assessment of undergraduate and graduate academic program assessment reports evaluated the maturity of assessment work. Assessment reports submitted in the first year (75 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs) provided baseline data. As part of implementation of revised reporting processes, the authors facilitated faculty workshops to promote effective assessment practices and increase the clarity of communication in assessment reports. Review of assessment reports submitted the following year (69 undergraduate and 41 graduate programs) evaluated the impact of institutional efforts to develop a more mature culture of assessment. Reviewers used a rubric to score assessment reports on reporting compliance, assessment maturity, and evidence of impact on student learning. Findings indicate reliable improvements in compliance and assessment maturity, but no evidence of efforts to evaluate impact on learning.

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