Public Records as a Source for Assessment Data

摘要

The purpose of this paper is to present how program assessment data can be gathered frominformation available from public sources in the government. Public records areinvestigated as a source of assessment data. Particularly, this paper deals with records thatare well suited for civil engineering technology, civil engineering, and related degreeprograms. These records include engineering licensing records of individuals, RequestsFor Proposals/Requests for Qualifications submissions from consulting firms provided topublic agencies, government budgets, job titles & job descriptions for government jobs,educational backgrounds of employees working for government agencies, and electionresults and public appointments to boards, committees, and similar orga nizations. Recordsare available from state, county, and city sources. These records are independent of theassessment and as suc h could provide an assessment data source not biased by theassessment process. The records and the data availability varies from easily accessibleinformation found on the Internet to papers and reports filed away in the back corner ofsmall government offices. Such records and data should be used in concert with additionalassessment information. Interpretation of public record assessment data is an ongoingprocess. Future work includes using the gathered information for program assessment andcontinuous improvement.