EDUCATIONAL GOALS OF CONCORD UNIVERSITY

AS ASSESSED BY COMPONENT MEASURES

 

The educational programs of Concord University are designed to foster skills, knowledge, and attitudes applicable across a wide range of academic fields and professional careers in a culturally diverse, perpetually evolving global community.

 

Skills: Proficiency in interpreting data, integrating information, formulating ideas, thinking critically, and communicating with others.

 

 

Table One: Skill acquisition as assessed by component measures.

 

SKILLS

CAAP

CLA

NSSE

GSS

CAPSTONE

EXPERIENCE

Effective inter-communication

skills and literacies

 

X

 

X

 

 

X

 

X

Proficiency in skills used

for problem solving

 

X

 

X

 

 

X

 

X

Ability to conduct, interpret,

and apply scholarly research

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

X

Ability to analyze, synthesize,

and integrate elements,

information and ideas

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

X

Ability to critically evaluate

Information and ideas

 

 

X

 

 

X

 

X

Ability to apply learning  

in different contexts

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

X

Ability to learn and work

Independently and collaboratively

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knowledge:  Familiarity with principles underlying academic discourse in various fields.

 

Table Two:  Knowledge acquisition as assessed by component measures

 

KNOWLEDGE

 

CAAP

GSS

CAPSTONE

EXPERIENCE

Understanding of the

reciprocal influences of

environments, cultural beliefs

and attitudes, and societal

institutions and practices

 

 

 

 

 

 

POL SCI

SOC

GEOG

SOC WK

Awareness of the fundamental

characteristics and properties

of the physical universe.

 

X

 

CHEM

PHY SCI

NAT SCI

An ability to interpret events

and trends within historic

contexts.

 

 

HIST

POL SCI

SOC

GEOG

Proficiency in language

acquisition including linguistics

mathematics, and computer

language systems.

 

X

 

LANG

MATH

COMP SCI

A recognition of the complex

interactions between organisms

and their environments.

 

 

BIOL

ZOOL

GEOG

An awareness of the principles,

methods, materials, and media

employed in the creation and

presentation of art and literature.

 

 

FINE ARTS

LIT

Self-knowledge, including

awareness of oneŐs competencies,

deficiencies and learning-style.

 

 

X

PSYCH

SOC WK

EDUC

 

 

Attitudes:  Tendencies conducive to self-knowledge, personal growth and development, and responsible citizenship.

 

 

Table Three:  Attitude formation as assessed by component measures

 

Attitude

FAS

NSSE

GSS

Ethical

decision-making

X

X

X

Responsible leading

and following

X

X

X

Respect for diversity

and conflict resolution

X

X

X

Fostering of well-being

X

X

X

Appreciation of art and

Creativity

X

X

X

Social responsibility

X

X

X

Lifelong learning and

Intellectual growth

X

X

X

 

 

***Questions measuring attitudes will be pre-tested on freshmen using the FAS and post-tested on seniors in the GSS.

 

 

Table Four: Descriptions of component measures

Instrument

Subjects

Development

Purpose

Information Collected

Nationally

Normed?

Freshman Attitude

Survey  (FAS)

All entering freshman

Local

Collects pre-test information on attitudes and values post-tested in the GSS.

Attitudes and values related to ConcordŐs stated goals.

NO

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

Sample of Freshman and Seniors

External

Gathers outcomes assessment, undergraduate quality, and accountability data.

Quality of effort inside and outside the classroom; educational and personal gains; satisfaction.

Yes

Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP)

Sample of Juniors

External

Direct measure of studentsŐ academic achievement in general education skills.

Proficiency in general education skills, including writing, reading, math, science.

Yes

College Learning Assessment (CLA)

Sample of Freshman and Seniors

External

Direct measure of analytic and written communication skills.

Proficiency in analytic reasoning and written communication skills.

Yes

Capstone Experiences

Seniors

Internal

Direct measure of learning outcomes in major field of study.

Specific outcomes by discipline.

NO

Graduating Student Survey (GSS)

Seniors

Internal

Collects information on perceived learning outcomes in general education and major field as well as overall satisfaction and changes in attitudes and values.

Reports of knowledge acquisition in general education and major field; satisfaction with educational experiences; attitudes and values related to ConcordŐs stated goals.

NO

 

 

Freshman Attitude Survey (FAS)

 

Who takes it and when is it administered?

All entering freshman take the online survey as part of their admission packet shortly prior to the beginning of the semester.

 

How long does administration take?

Approximately 30 minutes

 

Who originates the survey?

The Director of Assessment

 

When are results typically available?

Within 4 months following administration

 

What type of information is sought?

The FAS asks questions related to attitudes and values reflected in University goals.  Used as a pre-test measure of locally developed questions administered as a post-test to seniors in the GSS.

 

To whom are the results regularly distributed?

President, VPAD, Division Heads, and Assessment Committee

 

Are the results available by division or discipline?

YES

 

Are the results comparable to data of other universities?

NO

 

What is the estimated cost of administration?

None

 

 

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

 

Who takes it and when is it administered?

A sample of freshmen and seniors take the measure during the spring semester.

 

How long does administration take?

15 minutes

 

Who originates the survey?

National Survey of Student Engagement

Center for Postsecondary Research

Indiana University Bloomington

Eigenmann Hall, Suite 419

1900 East Tenth Street

Bloomington, IN 47406-7512

(812) 856-5824

http://www.indiana.edu/~nsse/

 

 

When are results typically available?

The next December

 

What type of information is sought?

The NSSE measures student perceptions of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interactions, enriching educational experiences, and supportiveness of the campus environment.

 

To whom are the results regularly distributed?

President, VPAD, Division Heads, and Assessment Committee

 

Are the results available by division or discipline?

NO

 

Are the results comparable to data of other universities?

YES

 

What is the estimated cost of administration?

$275 participation fee pus per-student sampling fee based on undergraduate

enrollment.  Total cost varies, from approximately $2,500 to $5,000.

 

Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP)

 

Who takes it and when is it administered?

A sample of juniors takes the tests in the fall or spring semester.

 

How long does administration take?

50 minutes

 

Who originates the survey?

American College Testing Program

500 ACT Drive, PO Box 168

Iowa City, IA 52243-0168

(319) 337-1053

http://www.act.org/caap/index.html

e-mail: outcomes@act.org

 

 

What type of information is sought?

The CAAP provides assessment of learning in general education including writing, mathematics, reading, critical thinking, and science.  Nine local questions may be added.

 

To whom are the results regularly distributed?

President, VPAD, Division Heads, and Assessment Committee

 

Are the results available by division or discipline?

YES

 

Are the results comparable to data of other universities?

YES

 

What is the estimated cost of administration?

$330.00 participation fee plus $8.95 to $16.55 per student, depending on the number of students and the number of modules purchased.

 

College Learning Assessment (CLA)

 

Who takes it and when is it administered?

A sample of freshmen take the test in the fall semester and a sample of senior take the test in the fall.  Fifty-percent are administered the Applied Writing tasks and fifty-percent take the Performance tasks test.

 

How long does administration take?

1 ½ hours

 

Who originates the survey?

CLA at CAE

212.217.0700

cla@cae.org.

When are results typically available?

The following academic year

 

What type of information is sought?

Applied Writing tasks measure a studentŐs ability to articulate complex ideas, examine claims and evidence, support ideas with relevant reasons and examples, sustain a coherent discussion, and use standard written English. Performance tasks require students use an integrated combination of critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and written communication skills to answer several open-ended questions about a hypothetical but realistic situation.

 

To whom are the results regularly distributed?

President, VPAD, Division Heads, and Assessment Committee

 

Are the results available by division or discipline?

NO

 

Are the results comparable to data of other universities?

YES

 

What is the estimated cost of administration?

Currently, cost is covered by WV HEPC.

 

Graduating Student Survey (GSS)

Who takes it and when is it administered?

All graduating seniors take the online survey as part of their graduation packet shortly prior to commencement.

 

How long does administration take?

Approximately 30 minutes

 

Who originates the survey?

The Director of Assessment

 

When are results typically available?

Within 4 months following commencement

 

What type of information is sought?

The GSS asks questions related to student satisfaction, attitude formations, and perceived skill and knowledge acquisition reflecting University goals.  Also used as a post-measure of locally developed questions administered to freshmen in the FAS.

 

To whom are the results regularly distributed?

President, VPAD, Division Heads, and Assessment Committee

 

Are the results available by division or discipline?

YES

 

Are the results comparable to data of other universities?

NO

 

What is the estimated cost of administration?

None

 

Capstone courses

 

Who takes it and when is it administered?

All seniors take a capstone course in their major field of study.

 

How long does administration take?

Semester

 

Who originates the survey?

The faculty of the discipline

 

When are results typically available?

The fall following the year in which the course is given.

 

What type of information is sought?

Each discipline establishes specific outcomes for that discipline.

 

To whom are the results regularly distributed?

President, VPAD, Division Heads, and Assessment Committee

 

Are the results available by division or discipline?

Yes—by discipline only.

 

Are the results comparable to data of other universities?

NO

 

What is the estimated cost of administration?

None