Assessment for Ensuring Effectiveness

Outcomes assessment is a systematic process used to measure success and provide feedback for continuous, incremental improvement. Educational programs and administrative units identify expected outcomes, assess the extent to which they achieve these outcomes, and provide evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results.

The U.S. Department of Education and regional accrediting agencies such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) require institutions to assess student learning outcomes and demonstrate achievement of educational goals.