Assessment Practice in Student Affairs: An Applications Manual / Edition 1

by John H. Schuh, M. Lee Upcraft

Overview

When Assessment in Student Affairs was first published in 1996, readers found a practical context for viewing the power of assessment across the domain of student services. Since then, John H. Schuh and M. Lee Upcraft have received numerous requests for more specific guidance to assessing and communicating the value of student affairs. This manual continues the work begun in their earlier book and provides a full range of tools for conducting effective assessments.

The authors begin with an overview of the assessment process and then detail a range of methodologies, approaches, and issues—explaining how to use them and when to recruit expertise from other campus sources. Drawing from the latest practice and a wealth of case studies, they discuss:

• Qualitative assessment, including how to conduct focus groups
• Quantitative assessment, including how to select and design instruments
• Data collection and analysis, including mailed questionnaires, telephone surveys, and Web-based surveys
• Assessing diverse needs, satisfaction, outcomes, environments, cost effectiveness, and accreditation
• Specialized assessment studies, including how to review dropouts, graduates, academic success, and group educational programs
• Select programs in student services, including first-year programs, recreation programs, financial aid, admissions, residence halls, college unions, health services, career services, counseling services, judicial affairs, and Greek life
• Organizational and ethical approaches to assessment

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787950538
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	12/28/2000
Series:	Higher and Adult Education Series
Edition description:	1 ED
Pages:	536
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

JOHN H. SCHUH is professor of educational leadership and department chair at Iowa State University. He is also the editor of New Directions for Student Services and associate editor for the Journal of College Student Development.

M. LEE UPCRAFT is research associate for the study of higher education, assistant vice president emeritus for student affairs, and affiliate professor emeritus of higher education at The Pennsylvania State University.

Table of Contents

PRINCIPLES AND PURPOSES.

Why Assessment in Student Affairs?

Steps in the Assessment Process.

METHODS.

Qualitative Assessment.

Conducting Focus Groups.

Designing and Selecting Quantitative Instruments.

How to Conduct Mail-Out Surveys.

Telephone Surveys (B. Moore).

Web-Based Data Collection (T. Wortman & M. Upcraft).

BASIC APPROACHES.

Needs Assessment.

Satisfaction Assessment.

Assessing Learning Outcomes.

Environmental Assessment.

Assessing Cost Effectiveness (K. Kennedy, et al.).

Assessment and Accreditation.

Drop Out Assessment.

Post-Graduate Assessment

PROGRAMS AND SERVICE AREAS.

Assessing Student Academic Success (L. Shibley & M. Upcraft).

Assessing Group Educational Programs.

Assessing First-Year Programs (J. Crissman & M. Upcraft).

Assessing Campus Recreation Programs.

Assessing an Office of Financial Aid.

Assessing Admissions Programs.

Assessing Residence Life Programs.

Assessing College Unions.

Assessing Health Services (M. Spear).

Assessing Career Services (J. Rayman).

Assessing Counseling Centers (Dennis Heitzmann & K. Nafziger).

Assessing an Office of Student Conduct.

Assessing Greek Life.

Getting Started.

Arranging for a Consultant.

Ethical Issues.

Strategies for Implementing an Assessment Program.

Resources: Review of Selected Assessment Instruments.

Editorial Reviews

"...should be required reading for every student affairs practitioner." —Journal of Higher Education, July 3, 2002

"In an era of increased accountability, this volume is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding and developing assessments that can demonstrate the efficacy of their programs and services. A perfect sequel to Assessment in Student Affairs." —Charles C. Schroeder, vice chancellor for student affairs, University of Missouri-Columbia

"This essential companion to Assessment in Student Affairs describes assessment tools and a step-by-step approach for use in any student affairs unit. The treatment of cost effectiveness as a component to program assessment is particularly helpful." —Trudy W. Banta, vice chancellor for planning and institutional improvement, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

"If you liked their first book, you will absolutely love this one. Schuh and Upcraft strike it rich again by providing practical and proven strategies for getting assessment done. They tell us when, where, how, and why we should conduct assessments differently within a wide variety of student service departments. Read and apply!" —Gary R. Hanson, professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Arizona State University

"Assessment in Student Affairs was an important resource for faculty who teach good assessment practices. This volume is an even more comprehensive and useful teaching tool that can benefit every student in the field." —Michael J. Cuyjet, associate professor, University of Louisville

From the Publisher

A companion to that provides tools and examples for conducting systematic and effective assessments across the domain of student services. Schuh (educational leadership, Iowa State U.) and his co-authors lead administrators through the process of setting up and running assessment programs for their departments. They offer an overview of the assessment process and detail a range of practical methodologies, approaches, and issues, illustrated by case studies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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