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Session Title: Higher Education Assessment and Evaluation in a Context of Use and Policy Development
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Multipaper Session 726 to be held in Federal Hill Suite on Saturday, November 10, 9:35 AM to 10:20 AM
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Sponsored by the Assessment in Higher Education TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| William Rickards,
Alverno College,
william.rickards@alverno.edu
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| Discussant(s): |
| Molly Engle,
Oregon State University,
molly.engle@oregonstate.edu
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Evaluation Use in the Unique Context of Higher Education
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| Presenter(s):
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| Georgetta Myhlhousen-Leak,
University of Iowa,
gleakiowa@msn.com
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| Abstract:
This research investigated the factors effecting use and the types of use present in outcomes assessment in higher education. A review of the literature suggests a significant lack of use in assessment. The absence of a definable structure or structures for understanding use and its potential for desirable change has made the process of incorporating outcomes assessment into the processes of higher education a difficult, unclear and sometimes disjointed experience for many administrators and faculty. Use as identified and described in the evaluation utilization literature was applied to investigate how program administrators, faculty administrators, and faculty members who act as evaluators and/or intended users conceptualize use and how those conceptualizations are reflected in planning, implementation and successfully completing the outcomes assessment process. This research provides evidence and insights into the nature of evaluative use in higher education and adds to the collective knowledge of use and differing contexts of use.
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Strengthening Evaluation in Higher Education: Quality Assurance and the New Zealand Tertiary Education Reforms
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| Presenter(s):
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| Syd King,
New Zealand Qualifications Authority,
syd.king@nzqa.govt.nz
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| Abstract:
New Zealand has embarked on a programme of reforms to strengthen tertiary education (post compulsory) provision and outcomes.
A significant factor in the success of the reforms is a new system for quality assurance. This new system is being developed currently. Of central importance has been the decision to shift towards evaluation methodology with a focus on the contribution of key processes to desired outcomes.
What is quality and how can it be 'measured'? How can a quality assurance system move from an approach based on compliance with a regulatory framework to one that considers 'quality' as a dynamic concept? How can the system 'focus on outcomes' and consider factors such as learner intake characteristics and needs assessment?
This presentation will discuss some of the more challenging issues addressed in the reforms and the responses developed to date to address these issues.
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