Assessment culture is a
subset
In mathematics, Set (mathematics), set ''A'' is a subset of a set ''B'' if all Element (mathematics), elements of ''A'' are also elements of ''B''; ''B'' is then a superset of ''A''. It is possible for ''A'' and ''B'' to be equal; if they are ...
of
organizational culture
Historically there have been differences among investigators regarding the definition of organizational culture. Edgar Schein, a leading researcher in this field, defined "organizational culture" as comprising a number of features, including a s ...
in
higher education characterized by trusting relationships,
data-informed decision-making
Data-informed decision-making (DIDM) gives reference to the collection and analysis of data to guide decisions that improve success.U.S. Department of Education Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (2009). ''Implementing data-i ...
, a respect for the profession of
teaching, and an internally-driven thirst for discovery about student
learning
Learning is the process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, value (personal and cultural), values, attitudes, and preferences. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, animals, and some machine learning, machines ...
. Positive assessment culture generally connotes the existence of conditions for
collaboration
Collaboration (from Latin ''com-'' "with" + ''laborare'' "to labor", "to work") is the process of two or more people, entities or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration is similar to cooperation. Most ...
among practitioners, reward structures, professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, student involvement, and a shared commitment among leaders to making institutional improvements that are sustainable.
Assessment culture may be revealed behaviorally through factors such as:
celebration of successes, comprehensive program review, shared use of common terminology and language, provision of
technical support, and use of affirmative messaging to effectively convey meaning. The culture of assessment has been measured by
scholars of perceptions among
faculty
Faculty may refer to:
* Faculty (academic staff), the academic staff of a university (North American usage)
* Faculty (division), a division within a university (usage outside of the United States)
* Faculty (instrument)
A faculty is a legal in ...
to determine motivations, sense of support, and levels of fear related to assessment.
See also
*
Fail fast (business)
References
{{Reflist
Culture
Evaluation
Higher education