This issue of "Assessment Update" presents the following articles: (1) Mission Accomplished! The Development of a Competence-based E-portfolio Assessment Model (Shelley Schuurman, Scott Berlin, Jamie Langlois, and Julie Guevara); (2) The Third Rail of Assessment--Dangerous but Powerful (Dale L. Mort); (3) Video Killed the Radio…

In November 2004, Calvin College was reviewed for reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In its final report, the review team, as it has in evaluating many other colleges, faulted Calvin for insufficient progress in assessment, made some recommendations, and asked for a…

The author has been working with colleagues Trudy Banta and Karen Black on a new Jossey-Bass book, "Designing Effective Assessment: Principles and Profiles of Good Practice," which focuses on assessment profiles from a variety of colleges and universities. These profiles also represent the spectrum of institutions from research…

Fostering a culture of assessment is extremely challenging work. In this article, the authors show how Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has approached this challenge and how the authors' experience can help others who are struggling with the same issue. An effective and self-reinforcing assessment culture cannot be established overnight but…

Employing a graduate assistant in the assessment process can be rewarding for both the student and the academic department. This article describes the skills, challenges, and rewards of the author's work on program assessment in the Interdisciplinary Technology Department at Eastern Michigan University. The author hopes to provide some insights…