State of the art: An examination and classification of existing methods of student outcomes assessment in American higher education

The purpose of this study is to examine and classify existing methods of student outcomes assessment in American higher education. Institutional administrators are currently being asked by state legislatures and regional accrediting associations to prove institutional effectiveness in the teaching-learning process through outcomes assessment; however, a majority of institutional practitioners have indicated that the> do not know what, or how, to evaluate. With assessment now being regarded as a dominant element in the criteria for reaffirmation of accreditation, and with state and federal funding becoming more dependent on proof of effectiveness, institutions must know what methods are being used in order to formulate effective strategies for their own campuses. This study examines current and future methods of student outcomes assessment in American higher education relative to Carnegie classification, regional accrediting association membership, enrollment and institutional type (public or private).