Matrix that matter: Assessment, accountability, and student learning outcomes at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

This exploratory and descriptive case study concentrated on a singular entity – the HBCU Collaboration for Excellence in Educational Quality Assurance (CEEQA). This convening took place June 21-22, 2018, on the historic Morehouse School of Medicine campus in Atlanta, GA. CEEQA was purposefully selected for its pioneering assembly of the study’s participants – retired and practicing HBCU assessment and institutional effectiveness professionals. The goal of this study was to develop in-depth and rigorous matrices and evidence that highlights what HBCU students know and are able to do once they graduate. Crenshaw’s intersectionality framework and the following research questions guided the exploration of the experiences of the participants: What are some assessment approaches that takes various needs of different student populations, for instance, culture and diversity, into consideration? What has worked well on HBCU campuses to guide improvement while leveraging accountability expectations? How do HBCUs demonstrate student learning in various ways while also being transparent about learning that is taking place? Transcribed interviews, including a focus group, and the use of field notes and document analysis yielded the data, while QDA Miner Lite Qualitative Text Analysis software was utilized to solidify the data analysis. The findings suggest HBCUs unwavering commitment to their mission and diverse student populations ignites the passion that is their non-traditional assessment approaches. HBCUs are making a concerted effort to balance accountability drivers with authentic learning experiences as they do not solely focus on accountability but also creating safe spaces for meaningful evidence-based student learning outcomes.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Orr, Verna Faylon

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jankowski, Natasha
• Anderson, James D.
• Hood, Denice
• Santos, Rosa Milagros

• assessment
• student learning outcomes
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Verna F. Orr

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/102817

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/102817