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Examples of Assessment by Institution |
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Franklin & Marshall College participates in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) each year. Question 7g asks students whether they have done or plan to do an independent study or self-designed major. In 2008, 31% of first-year students and 54% of seniors answered yes, indicating that a substantial number of additional students are encouraged to undertake this positive learning experience. (Longitudinal results reinforce this fact.) In peer colleges, the corresponding percentages were 21% for first-years and 38% for seniors, and for the all-NSSE-participants group they were 22% and 27%. The growth in participation is greater at F&M than at either comparison group.
On the other hand, NSSE (question 7f) data suggested one reason our study abroad rates were low: in 2003, 59% of first-years as compared to 31% of seniors indicated that they have studied abroad or plan to, implying a loss of nearly half. The College made some changes to the procedures for students to study abroad and worked with faculty to advise students of the benefits of such an experience. In our 2008 results, 74% of first-years and 51% of seniors responded affirmatively in this area, showing both higher interest and a senior/first-year ratio much closer to that of the selected peer group (first-years at 78% and seniors at 59%). Franklin & Marshall’s longitudinal data reinforce that substantial improvements have occurred in this area.
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Franklin and Marshall College |
