ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how reporting assessment information can serve both assessment purposes, improvement of student learning and accountability. The various transparency initiatives created by national organizations provide one method of reporting, and dashboards and benchmarking provide others. The chapter offers strategies to consider when reporting, such as minding the audience, the presentation style, and the structure of the report. It discusses the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment's (NILOA) Transparency Framework, which is a guide for institutions to use as they examine institutional websites for transparent information on student learning. The chapter explains that assessment information needs to be placed in context and made available to facilitate use of the data. Assessment information should be designed to focus on understanding whether and in what ways students meet specified student learning outcomes. In assessment reports, audience is vital to effective communication. Communicating assessment information beyond internal audiences serves to help establish public trust and meet the demands of accountability.
