In Better Assessment in Higher Education, Kevin Merry reveals that assessment within your Universal Design for Learning (UDL) based higher ed curriculum can do more than just measure performance—it can also inspire student learning. Merry guides you in the design of accessible and inclusive assessments to evaluate student outcomes, tackle real-world challenges in their application, and ensure that they align with the UDL principles.

True to the UDL framework, he also shares how you can empower students as partners in the assessment design process, weaving assessment seamlessly into your instruction to support a variety of goals, such as cultivating learner metacognition and driving differentiated learning. By emphasizing the crucial alignment of UDL and assessment, Merry demonstrates its vital role in enabling diverse learners to reach their full potential—within the classroom and beyond.

Better Assessment in Higher Education is part of the CAST Skinny Books™ series. CAST Skinny Books build on an educator’s knowledge of Universal Design for Learning to focus on critical topics of education practice with brief, informative books that emphasize practical tips and strategies. Whether you’re already familiar with UDL or want to explore new techniques and insight, this book is an essential resource on assessment for any college or university.

Better Assessment in Higher Education is available now in paperback ($14.00, ISBN: 9781943085354) and coming soon in EPUB ($14.00, ISBN: 9781943085361) format.

Table of Contents

• About the Author
• Preface
• PART I: Key Concepts: Setting the Scene
  • What Is Assessment and Why Do We Do It?
  • Assessment and Intentional Learning Design
  • Assessment as a Support for Expert Learning
  • Assessment and the UDL Principles
  • Holistic Assessment Considerations
• PART II: Assessment Design
  • Learning Outcomes and Assessment
  • Assessment Barriers
  • Assessing Knowledge and Skills
  • Evaluating Your Assessments
• PART III: Putting It All Together
  • Bringing Assessment Into the Classroom
  • Diagnostic Assessment
  • Assessment for Metacognitive Development
  • Cheat-Proof Assessment
• Epilogue
• References and Further Reading