I have a “Views” essay on InsideHigherEd.com this morning, urging faculty to see assessment as a force for good. From the point of view of actual experts on assessment–which I am not–it probably has a bit of a “water is wet” feel to it, but given the widespread faculty skepticism about assessment, it may be interesting.
In it, I talk about a number that surprised me to no end: At our school, a first-year student’s first semester grades predict, with remarkable accuracy, time-to-graduation. Finish that first semester above a 3.0, and your chances of graduation in 6 years are 63%. Earn below a 2.0, and the six-year graduation rate drops to 9%.
Horace | 17-Nov-07 at 7:34 pm | Permalink
Without knowing of your essay, I posted a long post ostensibly against assessment in the humanities today at D&I, which I want to continue to think about. I’d love it if you could post your always-considered thoughts when you have the chance. I know I’ll continue to think about this in light of your essay.
jbj | 17-Nov-07 at 8:03 pm | Permalink
Thanks for this comment, Horace–I saw your post this afternoon, and marked it as “keep new” in Bloglines. I’ll certainly post more about it.