More colleges requiring assesment for graduates By Angela Timmons Staff Writer         Seniors at public colleges and universities throughout the state, will be picking up their pencils one last time before putting on caps and gowns because of an Illinois Board of Higher Education initiative (IBHE). By 2004, the IBHE is requiring state schools to have assessment plans to determine if seniors really know what their degrees say they do.         Exactly how the students are assessed is up to the schools themselves, according to Keith Sanders, executive director of the IBHE. What will be required, Sanders said, consists of three parts including “specifics of what a student should know in their subject area, some kind of subjective or objective assessment to test that knowledge, and then feedback on the results sent back to the board.”         Sanders said the schools were notified of the plan in January of 1999, and they are on track to meet the 2004 deadline. Citing pressure from the state legislature as one of the reasons for the decision, Sanders said, “We have to be accountable and show that what we’re doing is what we’re saying we’re doing.”         Stressing that schools will have a great deal of autonomy and latitude with the initiative, Sanders thinks the assessment requirement will be beneficial to both students and faculty. “This isn’t intended to be damaging, in fact we think it will be a boost to students since curriculum will be continually reviewed and updated.”         The recent explosion in the number of students attending public colleges and universities in Illinois is another incentive for the assessment plan. According to Sanders, within the next 10 to 15 years there will be an additional 100,000 students enrolled in state schools. Because of this, Sanders said, “As more and more students with different abilities and motivations enter college, we have to be particularly vigilant about assessing and maintaining academic programs.”         According to Neil Pagano, director of assessment at Columbia, the North Central Association, which is responsible for accrediting schools in the region, is pleased with Columbia’s program-based assessments. Columbia is not required by the North Central Association to submit the assessment results.         The state initiative, allows for a “capstone” experience for majors, which go beyond a cumulative exam. For example, a student majoring in music might be required to perform in a final recital. Or a biology major would have to complete a major research project.         Pagano counts the capstone experience as the best way to measure achievement in a major program, calling it the “proof of the pudding” in determining what a student has learned. The Columbia Chronicle would like to hear your opinion on this topic. Note: If your browser does not support multiple windows, click here. Back to top   |   Home Copyright © 2001, Columbia Chronicle Columbia Chronicle articles, photos, and graphics are the property of the Columbia Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the staff, editors, or faculty advisor. The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students.

April 23, 2001 This week in Campus News: Tuition increase set for next fall Columbia teacher, students produce provcative film Area college students unite for poetry Cuban officials visit Columbia More colleges requiring assesment for graduates CCABJ hosts media mixer Students create global campaign News and Notes Search our archive: The Columbia Chronicle is an award-winning college newspaper written and distributed weekly by the students at Views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Journalism Department or the college. Visit the Columbia College Chicago Web Site