ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book investigates different strategies for measuring student learning outcomes. It discusses a number of indirect measures for assessment including ways of using institutional data, surveys, interviews, advisory boards, internships, competitions, and career data. This book identifies the pros and cons of using tests, embedded "authentic" assessment, portfolios, and capstone classes. Assessment is part of a larger accountability movement. It is important that an assessment plan should link a university's mission statement with the program's mission that should confirm the program's core values, competencies, and knowledge. These core values, competencies, and knowledge should be linked to student learning outcomes which are clearly present in programs' curricula and courses and even exercises and experiences within courses. Once the student learning outcomes are articulated, then both indirect and direct methods can be developed to continually assess the outcomes.
