NSSE and CLA UpdateNSSE and CLA UpdateUniversity SenateUniversity Senate

7 April 20097 April 2009

SACS Comprehensive Standard 3.5.1SACS Comprehensive Standard 3.5.1

• The institution identifies college-level general education competencies and the extent to which graduates have attained them.

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Collegiate Learning AssessmentCollegiate Learning Assessment

• Holistic assessment of an integrated skill set• Analytic reasoning • Critical thinking• Problem solving• Written communication

• Administered to typical freshmen and seniors

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CLA Scores, Last Three YearsCLA Scores, Last Three Years

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CLA Gains After 2 YearsCLA Gains After 2 Years

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1039 1196

1074 1286

1123

1175

52 point gain over 4 semestersabout 0.4 standard deviations

National Survey of Student EngagementNational Survey of Student Engagement

• 20-minute online survey measuring• Academic experiences and behaviors• Emphasis of courses and work assigned• Time use and activities• Satisfaction and estimated gains

• Administered to freshmen and seniors

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Five Benchmarks of LearningFive Benchmarks of Learning

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NSSEmeasures

2008 Freshman Benchmarks2008 Freshman Benchmarks

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2008 Senior Benchmarks2008 Senior Benchmarks

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Active LearningActive Learning

SeniorsNo clear trend

Freshmen

Steady increase

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Level of Academic ChallengeLevel of Academic Challenge

Seniors

No clear trend

Freshmen

No clear trend

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Number of Papers WrittenNumber of Papers Written

Seniors

Downward trend

Freshmen

Downward trend

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Next StepsNext Steps

• Launch new CLA longitudinal studies

• Continue NSSE assessments

• Convene campus discussions on using results

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