Perspectives on Institutional Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education: A Case Study Approach

Institutional assessment and evaluation has gained great importance in higher education especially in Africa due to the current rapid growth of numbers and sizes of universities. More than ever before, institutions of higher learning must maintain quality, prove their effectiveness and remain accountable to their stakeholders. This work is in response to the quest for quality higher education. Authors glean both from literature and field studies. They show how to and give actual evaluations of different aspects of an institution. In this Institutional Assessment and Evaluation, the authors address major topics and issues crucial in evaluating institutions of higher learning. The book gives comprehensive discussion of what assessment is, followed by current trends in teaching and learning assessment in higher education. Key aspects involved in the assessment and evaluation of institutions of higher learning are discussed including: a review of faculty evaluation and the report and use of faculty evaluation results; student learning assessment and its role in assessing institutional effectiveness; assessment of online and theological courses; evaluation of the impact of programs on alumni effectiveness and evaluation of the factors leading to the transition of seminaries to universities. In response to the current trend of diversity and inclusiveness in student assessment, the book presents studies in relation to international students’ issues: culture shock and its effects on academic performance and effects of integration of international students in cross cultural ministry. This book is great resource to evaluators, administrators, faculty, education students and all others interested in the field of educational evaluation. It will prove useful to universities in their efforts to provide quality education.