Re: assessment question

[csjhs@eiu.edu (Jeanne H. Simpson)]

Scott:

I would ditto the strong warnings offered by James and Sara. We have had
one of those "rising junior" things here at Eastern for a long time--maybe
20 years now?  I fought it when it first happened, and because I was
slightly lower on the food chain than pond scum, it made no difference. I
have fought it in every capacity I've served in. It's still there. It is
worse than waxy yellow build-up, worse than soap scum for once you get one
of these things, you'll never, ever get rid of it. Logic, empirical
evidence--nothing works.  It was easier to topple to Soviet empire, and
when you think of *that* bureaucracy, you begin to get the idea of what
you are up against. Fight it now. Portfolio assessment is better. Or even
getting students to bribe the provost would be better. Anything is better.
The opportunities for abuse, mismanagement, illogic and intransigent
righteousness are incredible. The bottom line, one I wish I had found a
stronger way to state: students never learned dip from a test. 

My advice: get as strong an ally as you can. Go to the provost and ask to
convene a taskforce to come up with some options.  

Jeanne Simpson
csjhs@eiu.edu