Integrating Institutional and Individual Information Systems Assessment Through the Center for Computing Education Research

The Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals Education Foundation (ICCP/EF) and the Center for Computing Education Research (CCER) have united to form a coalition of universities and colleges interested in information systems (IS) exit skills assessment. In 2003, the coalition successfully developed an outcome-based assessment exam reflecting the learning units (LUs) defined in the IS 2002 Model Curriculum and the entry-level requirements accepted for the ICCP’s information systems analyst (ISA) certification. Since 2003, versions of this exam have been administered to over 2,700 participants in IS-related degree programs at 45 institutions, and more than 300 qualified individuals have been ISA-certified. The assessment exam, i.e. exit exam, is at the center of a series of activities and tools forming an intersection of IS institutional and individual assessment. This paper is a call to action for participation in a growing movement aimed at focused improvement of IS courses and curricula, and McKell, Longenecker, Landry, Pardue – Integrating Institutional and Individual IS Assessment 2 recognition of student achievement through professional certification. Future directions point to an emerging community of practice centered on outcome-based information systems direct assessment, and to the application of the IS exit exam to accreditation.