In enacting this article, it is the intent of the Legislature to urge the continued development and implementation of assessment processes whereby institutions of higher education establish mechanisms, through program review and improvement, for the assessment of their performance in attempting to improve student learning and comprehension and achieving the expressed state policy goals for higher education of quality, educational equity, employee diversity, student transfer, and student retention. The primary purposes of assessment shall be to improve teaching and learning as well as academic advising. Assessment programs shall be focused on activities that are campus-based, faculty-centered, and student-responsive. Faculty, students, and academic administrators are encouraged to work together in developing assessment programs.