Leading Improvements in Higher Education with Stephen Hundley s06e01: A Conversation with Co-Authors of Foundations of Assessment: From Theory to Practice, a New Book from Routledge
Oct 23, 2025
Natasha Jankowski, Director at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Joe Levy, Associate Vice Provost at Excelsior University, discuss their new book on assessment in higher education. They explore the importance of collaboration among all campus members and outline practical roots of assessment. Joe shares insights on personalizing education and embracing unbundled credentials, while Natasha emphasizes a student-centered approach in light of AI challenges. Their conversation inspires a vision where assessment is both valuable and accessible to everyone.
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Assessment Defined As Learning-Focused Evidence
- Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information to improve student learning and development.
- Natasha Jankowski emphasizes that everyone on campus should be involved in this focused assessment of learning.
Theory Shapes Assessment Practice
- Foundations and philosophies shape how institutions practice assessment and create choices, not prescriptions.
- Natasha Jankowski urges readers to learn the history and debates before changing practice.
Measure What Matters, Not Everything
- Make assessment manageable by measuring what matters most, not everything all the time.
- Joe Levy urges strategic planning, focusing on actionable, high-impact measures and building capacity to use results.
