ERIC Review: Measuring Success Through Assessment and Testing

Assessing Minority Student Performance

“…While today's minority students appear better prepared for college success than the generation that preceded them, their performance on achievement tests and persistence in college leaves cause for concern. Despite inconclusive findings, minority student outcomes continue to draw the attention of external constituencies (accreditation organizations, state and local legislators, district boards, taxpayers, and parents) and internal constituencies (administrators, faculty members, institutional researchers, counseling staff members, and academic advisors) who function as stakeholders in an era of higher education accountability (Cress, 1996). Today's colleges and universities enroll a more diverse student population in terms of demographic makeup, learning styles, and academic preparation than at any other time in American history (Jalomo, 2000;Terenzini and others, 1996).…”