SD14 - The Measurement of Student Achievement and the Assurance of Quality in Virginia Higher Education

  • Published: 1986
  • Author: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 125 (Regular Session, 1985)

Executive Summary:
Senate Joint Resolution 125, passed by the 1985 Virginia General Assembly, directed the Council of Higher Education to conduct a study "to investigate means by which student achievement may be measured to assure the citizens of Virginia the continuing high quality of higher education in the Commonwealth." Appendix 1 is the text of the resolution. This report of the study:

(1) discusses the literature which describes ways to measure student achievement;

(2) describes notable assessment programs developed by institutions and states outside Virginia;

(3) gives examples of efforts made by Virginia I s public colleges and universities to measure student achievement, with special attention to the comprehensive pilot program being implemented by James Madison University; and

(4) offers recommendations to establish assessment policies and procedures at Virginia's state-supported institutions of higher education.