I hope that responses to Michael's request can be made to the list and not
privately.  I think assessment is an issue we are all dealing with or will
have to deal with sooner or later.  Thanks
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Katz <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, November 16, 1998 8:45 PM
Subject: Assessment


>        The School of Management at Delaware State University is looking
for methods
>of assessing our students and our programs.  We want to be able to
determine
>what our students are retaining and measure the effectiveness of our
programs
>and instruction.  We have considered this question for a while and now wish
to
>expedite the issue as we explore ACBSP and AACSB accreditation.  I am on
the
>committee creating our assessment policy and tools.
>        We are considering comprehensive examinations covering multiple
subjects in
>the junior and senior years or perhaps in just the senior year.  We are
>debating the use of ETS prepared questions or writing our own.  Although
these
>tests are to be measuring devices, we want the students to take the
>examinations seriously so we feel that they must "count" in some way.
>Suggestions have included placing the grade on the transcript, making the
exam
>part of a capstone course grade or simply requiring a passing grade to
>graduate.
>        I/we would appreciate any input or advice that you might be able to
provide.
>Are any of your schools currently utilizing such a test or tests?  If so,
how
>do you do it and how does it get reported?  Do any of your schools assess
>students using another method?  If so, please explain.  If you are using
some
>sort of evaluation tools could you please explain how the evolution of your
>process went and what you did right and wrong.  I imagine that the initial
>evaluations were very stressful and difficult for the students (and the
>faculty??) so any guidance you can provide will help us create a better
tool
>from the onset.
>        Thank you for your help!!
>
>Michael A. Katz
>Delaware State University