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Epilogue
Achieving the Promise of Assessment
Throughout this guide, practical approaches to assessment have been emphasized. Assessment need not be postponed simply because grant funds are not available or because the department has a limited budget for this purpose. Important insights can be gained for little more than the cost of duplicating and processing questionnaires or providing refreshments for a series of focus groups. Once the department begins to generate data about the program, however, the discussion inevitably raises questions worthy of further investigation. A faculty champion (or several champions) may be need to obtain the resources to pursue these questions. The research skill and ingenuity of the faculty are important resources, but administrators must recognize that faculty energy is a finite resource. Both tangible and intangible administrative support are necessary if the "culture of evidence" is to become the standard of practice in accounting education.