Higher Education Assessment Trends Survey

Thank you for participating in this survey exploring how assessment is experienced and used across higher education.

Your responses will help inform research, thought leadership, and future tools to support assessment work.

• Estimated time: 10–12 minutes
• Responses are anonymous

At the end, you may optionally provide contact information to receive the report or be listed as a contributing participant.

In this survey, “assessment” refers to how institutions gather and use information about student learning and outcomes (e.g., course-embedded assessment, program-level outcomes assessment, and related improvement processes).

Powered by Peregrine Global Services, a provider of assessment and benchmarking tools used by higher education institutions worldwide.

Two-yearFour-yearGraduate/professional only

PublicPrivate non-profitPrivate for-profitOther / not sure

Course-level (e.g., assessing learning within individual courses)Program-level (e.g., assessing learning across a major or program)Institution-level (e.g., institution-wide learning outcomes or general education)I am not directly involved in assessment or learning outcomes work

Very closely (accreditation is a central part of my role)Somewhat closely (I contribute to accreditation-related work)Indirectly (I am aware of accreditation requirements but not directly involved)Not closely (my role is not connected to accreditation activities)Not sure

Primarily traditional undergraduate students (e.g., ages 18–25)A mix of traditional undergraduate students and adult learnersPrimarily adult learners (e.g., students over 25 or working professionals)I work across multiple student populationsNot sure

Used in some areas, but inconsistentUsed consistently across most areasFully integrated into ongoing improvementNot sure

Primarily to meet external requirements (e.g., accreditation, reporting, accountability)Primarily to improve teaching and learningBoth equallyVaries widely by program or unitNot sure

Primarily to meet external or institutional accountability requirements (e.g., accreditation, reporting, institutional effectiveness)Primarily to improve teaching and learningBoth equallyNot sure

1 is Strongly disagree, 5 is Strongly agree

Assessment is closely connected to improving teaching and learningAssessment sometimes informs improvements, but often feels separate from day-to-day teaching and learningAssessment mostly feels like a separate reporting or documentation activityIt varies widely by course or programNot sure

The next few questions focus on your experience and perspective within your role or context (e.g., your courses, program, or areas you work most closely with).

1 is Strongly disagree, 5 is Strongly agree

Assessment is mostly coordinated across different parts of the institutionSome coordination exists, but many efforts feel disconnectedAssessment mostly happens in separate pockets or silosIt varies widely depending on the program or unitNot sure

1 is Strongly disagree, 5 is Strongly agree

Mostly knowledge of course contentMostly skills (e.g., applying knowledge, communication, problem-solving)A balance of knowledge and skillsA mix of knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors or dispositionsIt varies widely by course or programNot sure

1 is Strongly disagree, 5 is Strongly agree

Knowledge of course contentSkills (applying knowledge, communication, problem-solving)Professional behaviors or dispositions (e.g., teamwork, ethical judgment)All are equally challengingNot sure

Greater focus on skills and workforce readinessMore use of authentic or performance-based assessmentIncreased use of technology or analyticsGreater use of traditional written or oral examsMore integration across courses and programsIncreased external accountability or reportingLittle change expectedNot sureOther (please specify)

Once you submit this survey, you will be redirected to a short form for your institution's information. This is an optional form; if you choose not to fill it out, your anonymous survey responses will still be submitted.

Results will be shared in the 2026 Higher Education Assessment Trends Report.

Higher Education Assessment Trends Survey

About You and Your Institution

Compliance vs. Meaning

Assessment vs. Learning

Fragmentation vs. Integration

Data vs. Action

Knowledge, Skills & Dispositions

Future Direction