Future Implications for Student Affairs Assessment
Since former U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, issued the final report from the Commission on the Future of Higher Education in 2006, higher education has been on the accountability radar as never before. Higher education, specifically NASULGC (now known as APLU) and AASCU responded in 2006 to what is now called the Spellings Report by creating the Voluntary System of Accountability using the College Portrait standardized website. Participating colleges and universities volunteer to use the site, which includes such information as the Common Data Set, the National Survey of Student Engagement and the CLA to provide a “portrait” of its institution for prospective students and parents. Accountability to governments as well as our students and other constituents is part of the fabric of higher education today. VSA also provides a vehicle for collaboration between academic affairs and student affairs to provide the best possible data for their institution.
The U.S. News and World Report just published its 2009 report on colleges and universities. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education (date), the number of institutions submitting information has increased again this year.
Planning and assessment courses are now common in higher education programs, including specific courses in student affairs assessment and research on students. Speakers at assessment conferences emphasize the importance of including assessment activity in job descriptions. The SAAER Knowledge Community within NASPA is discussing the use of assessment mentors and for-credit assessment practitioner internships to increase knowledge and develop skills within our profession.
It is important to remember that we need to “tell our story” in student affairs by using our data in interactions with faculty and staff, students and parents and with our alumni. Everyone loves to be connected to a winning team, and Student Affairs is a vital contributor to student success.
Author - Dr. Jan Hillman, Executive Director, Planning and Advancement for Student Development, University of North Texas
References:
Questions:
What are you doing in your offices to prepare staff to be successful in assessment?
How are you using your data to “tell your story”?
What successful collaborations do you have with Academic Affairs in the area of assessment?
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