Leaders on the Current State of Student Learning Outcomes Assessment

P olicymakers, accrediting bodies, and association leaders continue to focus on assessing student learning outcomes. But what is happening on the ground at colleges and universities? Where does student learning out-comes assessment rank in importance on an institution’s action agenda? To what extent are faculty involved in assessment activities and using the results for improv-ing student learning? The National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) is a mul-tiyear effort to further the student learning outcomes agenda nationally. NILOA staff conducted four focus groups with academic deans, provosts, presidents, and directors of institutional research from a variety of two- and four-year institutions during 2009–2010 to discuss the state of assessment of student learning outcomes on campus. Roundtable discussions were conducted at meetings of the Associatio