The June 2010 final release of the Common Core State Standards reflects an alliance among state leaders regarding educational expectations in school systems throughout the United States. These standards provide consistency and clarity of the knowledge and skills students need for success, setting a gauge for educational assessment. Participating state leaders came together through their memberships in the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
ACT is a nonprofit organization focusing on educational, career planning and workforce development. Founded in 1959 as American College Testing, it officially changed its name to ACT in 1996. Headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa, ACT develops assessments to help students and workers achieve success. In 2005, it went international with the creation of ACT International, B.V. Partnered with the Common Core Standards Initiative, its programs include the College & Career Readiness System, which provides support and guidance to schools and governments as they prepare students for post-high school experience. ACT's testing and instructional improvement programs aid in this process, as do its College and Career Readiness Workshops.
A group of Bridgewater State University faculty members created the "Assessment Guidebook, 2nd Edition" for use by faculty. The book uses the collective knowledge of the authors to aid newer faculty in their assessment implementation tasks. The book, which is published on the school's website, is applicable to programs as well as individual courses. It defines what an assessment cycle consists of. The first part establishes the sought-after outcomes of an assessment cycle and then proceeds to assess those outcomes. Observation of results, followed by putting into play any changes deemed appropriate, completes the cycle.
St. Louis Community College uses a mission-based assessment model that emphasizes day-to-day work accomplished in its classrooms and offices. Its Assessment Council consists of 32 members of faculty and staff who assume responsibility for spearheading assessment strategies. A key element in assessing and improving college service operations involves learning from what is heard and seen and taking action on the results. Taking another look and sharing what has been discovered leads to improvement, and excellence is the sought-after product. The college organized these principles into a series of steps known as LAASIE, an acronym formed from the words Listen, Act, Another, Share, Improve and Excel.