Assessment of student learning
College-wide assessment by source of evidence
The Office of Institutional Research and Evaluation gathers evidence every year concerning college-wide student learning outcomes, such as critical thinking, effective writing, quantitative reasoning, and research proficiency. The sources listed below provide a mix of direct evidence (concerning students’ knowledge, proficiencies, or values) and indirect evidence (concerning students’ experiences, perceptions, and attitudes). For information about the relationship of college-wide, program-level, and General Education assessment, see the comprehensive assessment schedule.
Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) (indirect)
A questionnaire examining entering college students' high school academic and co-curricular experiences, as well as their expectations for participating in educationally purposeful activities during the first college year. Administered to first-year students during fall orientation.National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) (indirect)
A questionnaire that examines how students spend their time in college, the nature and scope of the work they do, and their perceptions of their institution’s contribution to their learning and personal development. Administered to first-year students and seniors in the spring semester.Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) (direct)
A performance-based demonstration of students’ abilities in critical thinking, effective writing, data interpretation, and problem-solving. Administered to first-year students during fall orientation and to graduating seniors in the spring semester.Research Practices Survey (RPS) (both direct and indirect)
A questionnaire that examines students’ experiences with, attitudes toward, and proficiency in conducting effective academic research in a liberal arts setting. Administered to first-year students during fall orientation, and to the same group of first-years and to graduating seniors in the spring semester.Essential Learning Outcomes Assessment (ELOA)
A questionnaire that examines students’ prior learning experiences, current understandings, and future aspirations in relation to the “essential learning outcomes” of a college education. Administered to first-year students during fall orientation and to graduating seniors in the spring semester.Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) Senior Survey (indirect)
A questionnaire that gathers information from seniors about their educational and co-curricular experiences during their undergraduate studies, their evaluation of these experiences, and their future plans. Administered to graduating seniors in the spring semester.Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) Alumni Survey (indirect)
A questionnaire that gathers information from alumni about their educational, co-curricular, volunteer, and professional experiences during and after their undergraduate studies, and the contributions of these experiences to their knowledge and proficiencies.
