Investigating whether teachers should be given assessments of students made by previous teachers

Based upon a consideration of data from the literature, a survey, and a problem-solving discussion at a national meeting, the authors suggest the following recommendations concerning the provision to faculty of previous assessment information on students. Students' problems noted by faculty should be shared with the faculty who subsequently teach them. Students must be central to the entire process of disclosing earlier assessments and should be encouraged to initiate the process. The data should be provided by all appropriate faculty and should be distributed to the student advisor and the dean's office for dissemination to the course director of the next unit. Confidentiality must be assured. The rationale for such a policy is discussed.