ETS Study Recommends Higher Education Accountability System
Princeton, N.J. (July 20, 2006) —
With little hard evidence to demonstrate postsecondary education’s effectiveness, ETS researchers have recommended a broad national system to better understand student learning in two- and four-year colleges and universities.
The report, “A Culture of Evidence: Postsecondary Assessment and Learning Outcomes,” comes as the federal Commission on the Future of Higher Education is developing a comprehensive national strategy for postsecondary education. Authored by Carol A. Dwyer, Catherine M. Millett and David G. Payne of ETS, the report recommends focusing on four dimensions of student learning:
workplace readiness and general skills
domain-specific knowledge and skills
soft skills such as teamwork, communications and creativity
student engagement with learning
The Chronicle: Amid Debate Over Spellings Commission Report, Testing Group Proposes National Accountability System
A new report by the Educational Testing Service proposes a national accountability system that would assess students’ general skills and proficiency within their disciplines.
The report, “A Culture of Evidence: Postsecondary Assessment and Learning Outcomes,” also recommends that colleges measure soft skills such as creativity and teamwork as well as student engagement, though it argues against including assessments of either in the proposed accountability system, at least not initially.
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