Quality in the Undergraduate Experience : What Is It? How Is It Measured? Who Decides? Summary of a Workshop

Students, parents, and government agencies need as much information as possible about the outcomes of the higher education experience and the extent to which they can expect a fair return on their investment in higher education.In order to better understand the concept of quality - enabling students to acquire knowledge in a variety of disciplines and deep knowledge in at least one discipline, as well as to develop a range of skills and habits of mind that prepare them for career success, engaged citizenship, intercultural competence, social responsibility, and continued intellectual growth - an ad hoc planning committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Board on Higher Education and Workforce, with funding from the Lumina Foundation, organized a workshop in Washington, D.C., on December 14-15, 2015.This report summarizes the presentations and discussion of that event. Table of ContentsFront Matter1 Introduction2 Defining Quality3 Improving Quality4 Measuring and Communicating Quality5 Suggested ActionsAppendixesAppendix A: Workshop AgendaAppendix B: Quality in the Undergraduate Experience - A Discussion DocumentAppendix C: Defining and Measuring Institutional Quality in Higher EducationAppendix D: Planning Committee and Staff Biographies