Meaningful and Manageable Program Assessment: A How-to Guide for Higher Education Faculty

In this book, the authors provide readers with a straightforward approach to doing assessment in a way that is meaningful, manageable, and sustainable over time. Including a straightforward overview of assessment concepts and principles and practical, easy-to-follow instructions for multiple assessment tools and key steps in the assessment process, this book is a handy, all-in-one how-to guide. In addition, the text guides readers toward the development of a culture of assessment. Writing in a conversational tone that has helped the authors to successfully teach assessment principles and practices to faculty and administrators from a variety of academic disciplines and institutions, the book reads as if a friendly, supportive assessment professional is by your side.

The book begins with an overview of the assessment process and key assessment concepts and principles. Subsequent modules provide detailed instructions and specific tips for carrying out each step of the process, including three modules focused on creating and implementing specific assessment measurement tools. The authors recommend readers begin by reading Module 1, which provides a framework that will enhance understanding of each of the steps of the process that are spelled out in detail in subsequent modules. However, after that, each of the modules is designed to stand alone. Readers need not read the modules in order nor do they need to read all of them in order to benefit from the authors’ guidance. In addition, the authors have created a video to accompany Module 10 in which they take readers step-by-step through the use of Excel spreadsheets to organize and present assessment data.

Laura J. Massa has served as the Director of Assessment at Loyola Marymount University since 2008. She regularly conducts workshops on assessment techniques at LMU, for the WASC Senior College and University Commission, and at a variety of universities.

Margaret Kasimatis currently serves as Vice Provost for Strategic Planning and Educational Effectiveness at Loyola Marymount University. She previously served as Executive Director of Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and Director of Assessment at Harvey Mudd College. In addition, Dr. Kasimatis has been actively engaged in regional accreditation processes through the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), as an evaluator, a member of the WSCUC Interim Report Committee and the WSCUC Program Review Task Force. She was recently elected Vice Chair of the Commission.