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Examples of Assessment by Institution |
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Alma College: Through a Teagle Foundation grant, Alma College is collaborating with five other private liberal arts colleges in a value-added assessment of student development in writing, critical-thinking, and civic engagement. The study conducted direct assessments of student papers to evaluate writing (AY2006) and critical thinking (AY2007). Papers meeting specified criteria were collected from general education courses at all six schools. The papers were read in a blind study by representative faculty from each school. Grading faculty did not know which school contributed the paper. Each paper was read and scored by two faculty members using a consistent rubric. Student learning was measured by comparing the average rating on first year papers to those of juniors or seniors, and then comparing those differences with those of other schools as well as against student admissions criteria, the NSSE, and the CLA. The third year (AY2008) of assessment activities focused upon civic engagement using primarily indirect measures such as the College Senior Survey (CSS), senior focus groups and alumni surveys. For AY2009, the study will complete the longitudinal assessment through another paper collection from seniors to measure development of writing and critical thinking skills. Because of their direct involvement, faculty are highly engaged in the study and the process has validity for them.
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Alma College |
