Performance outcomes in engineering design courses

The various recommendations and efforts made by technical and professional societies to revise engineering curriculum are presented. These societies have made efforts to revise the engineering curriculum to prepare the students to meet the increasing complexities and international aspects of engineering. Accrediting agencies have also recognized the need to assess student competencies, while outcome assessment is a requirement at most academic institutions. The Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation in the U.S. Department of Education has mandated that accrediting agencies use outcome assessments in evaluating programs. The Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) has included outcome assessment as part of its accreditation requirements. The ABET criteria establishes a basic standard for programs to meet, and is quality-oriented and flexible. Engineering faculty across the nation are developing outcome assessments for their programs to assess processes for their institutions.