In conjunction with External Research & Program’s (ER&P) continuing efforts to support development of curricula that make learning compelling, relevant and vibrant, ER&P also seeks, through strategic collaborations with leading academics, to identify pedagogical practices that result in improved learning and increased retention. ER&P is developing a support framework to assist faculty as they engage in assessment activities, including the Microsoft Research Assessment Toolkit. This white paper covers the nature of assessment practice, summarizes the fundamental types of assessment and offers examples of assessment practice that work well in computational science and other STEM education settings at the postsecondary level. Finally, a case study of effective assessment at Georgia Institute of Technology is presented. Learning about Learning 2 Microsoft Research, External Research & Programs