Assessment is not simply a test, but a process by which information is obtained and related to some known goal or objective (Kizlik, 2011). Assessment may incorporate testing, but testing itself is not a valid type of knowledge assessment. Accurate measurement requires both testing and observation methods. The assessment results can then be used for reporting purposes or to make changes to the curriculum for a particular participant or students. To assess student learning accurately and comprehensively, you need to define goals, along with a way to collect and measure data. History of Assessment Assessment is an evolving study within higher education institutions. The history of evaluation dates back to the Middle Ages. For example, in medieval Paris at the University of Bologna, the Master of Arts in law or theology taught incoming students. Only after studying and learning grammar and philosophy during a four-year program did students move on to study with a master. The master assessed students daily through a question-and-answer process to prepare them for public exams. These public exams usually consisted of disputes or debates that students had studied and memorized. A dispute could last an entire day and would be held by the teacher and defended by one or more students (interviewees). Because controversy was a major issue in many cities, the university sometimes canceled other events to make sure everyone could attend. Harsh punishments were also part of being a student throughout the nineteenth century. Because they believed it inspired student learning, medieval schoolmasters could issue harsh warnings to their students, such as using corporal punishment or...... middle of paper ......rg/who_we_are/about_us/New Leadership Alliance. (2011). Retrieved September 13, 2011, from New Leadership Alliance: History: http://www.newleadershipalliance.org/who_we_are/history/(2007). Quality assessment in higher education: An overview of institutionalization, practices, problems and conflicts. In the compilation of the authors' volume (pp. 135-146). Portland: Portland Press Ltd.RICHARD J. SHAVELSON1∗, MA-P. (2005). Windows into the mind∗. Higher Education, 49:413-430. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). (2011). Retrieved 9 15, 2011, from the Higher Learning Commission: http://www.ncahlc.org/Thornton, J. F. (2008). Does performance assessment harm higher education? The NEA Higher Education Journal, 61-69.Wilbrink, B. (1997). Evaluation in historical perspective. Retrieved 9 16, 2011, from Ben Wilbrink: http://www.benwilbrink.nl/publicaties/97AssessmentStEE.htm