College outcomes evaluation is discussed in two papers. In "The Political Economy of Assessment," Joseph P. O'Neill considers standards of accountability, American reliance on faculty to assess, and the danger of validating quality by external examination. By using the credit-hour system, a quantity indicator (time), is used as a standard. There is no mechanism external to the classroom to verify the integrity of the baccalaureate degree; the faculty member teaches, examines, and certifies. It is noted that large classes and extensive use of graduate students and part-time faculty have necessitated outside validation of quality. Five axioms important to the successful assessment of student progress in college and the complexities of measuring "value added" are considered by William W. Turnbull in "Can 'Value Added' Add Value to Education?" It is suggested that assessment cover many dimensions of student growth and learning and that a variety of assessment techniques be used, along with a baseline measure of the skills that the student has on entry. A way to assess the accomplishments of graduating students and to express the results in terms that have meaning from year to year or across departments or institutions is proposed. (SW)