Abstract

In the current context of higher education, the assessment of student learning has evolved and gained increasing importance, as it is used for various purposes such as evaluating the quality of programs and institutions, accountability, and curriculum decision-making. In this sense, through a documentary analysis, this article aims to analyze the way in which the assessment of student learning has been approached from the perspective of public policies in the Latin American countries belonging to the Pacific Alliance, in relation to the use of its results for improving the quality. The conclusion is that most of the educational systems studied carry out evaluations as a requirement for university entrance and to determine the graduate profile. Similarly, they measure student performance as a criterion for quality accreditation. In this sense, it is emphasized that some of the uses of evaluations, regulated in the policies, are considered high risk, according to the review of scientific evidence.

Keywords: Learning outcomes; educational assessment; educational quality; public policies; higher education