Assessment strategies: feedback is too late!

The newly started Electrical and Computer Engineering program at Rowan University, USA, was visited by ABET's EAC for the first time in October 2000. As the authors prepared for their program evaluation under EC 2000, they explored novel mechanisms for assessing their curricular outcomes and "closing the loop" in an effort to develop ongoing methods for continuous program improvement. They were motivated by a strong desire to make the assessment process minimally intrusive, yet maximally effective. They have developed an assessment instrument called an X-File and a unique course called "Clinic Consultant"-both these mechanisms are closely related to each other. This paper describes their implementation efforts.