Students, parents, and government agencies need as much information as possible about the outcomes of the higher education experience and the extent to which they can expect a fair return on their investment in higher education.In order to better understand the concept of quality - enabling students to acquire knowledge in a variety of disciplines and deep knowledge in at least one discipline, as well as to develop a range of skills and habits of mind that prepare them for career success, engaged citizenship, intercultural competence, social responsibility, and continued intellectual growth - an ad hoc planning committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Board on Higher Education and Workforce, with funding from the Lumina Foundation, organized a workshop in Washington, D.C., on December 14-15, 2015.This report summarizes the presentations and discussion of that event.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
1 Introduction
2 Defining Quality
3 Improving Quality
4 Measuring and Communicating Quality
5 Suggested Actions
Appendixes
Appendix A: Workshop Agenda
Appendix B: Quality in the Undergraduate Experience - A Discussion Document
Appendix C: Defining and Measuring Institutional Quality in Higher Education
Appendix D: Planning Committee and Staff Biographies