Taking the measure of student success
In this era of intense scrutiny of higher education, college accountability is a hot topic. Many colleges — including the 17 members of the Minnesota Private College Council — frequently survey students and faculty to assess learning and the campus experience. The results provide snapshot assessments that are important to institutions as well as parents and students. MPCC has also conducted a survey of alumni that documents the long-lasting benefits of their college education. Together these assessments provide a comprehensive picture of the experience and value of receiving an education at our institutions.
There are two main student assessment types used in higher education, as noted at a recent conference hosted by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Student engagement assesses the undergraduate experience; student learning gains evaluate attainment of skills and learning goals. These components help students and families with college decision-making and give college administrators information that helps improve services.
New national tools
In response to the demand by students and families for more information that helps them choose a college, three new tools were launched in 2007, with more tools on the way. The University and College Accountability Network offers profiles on more than 600 private colleges and universities (including eight MPCC colleges). The re-vamped U.S. Education Department College Navigator provides information on more than 7,000 institutions. And a growing number of schools are now sharing their results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) on USA Today.
Student assessment tools used by MPCC colleges
MPCC schools assess a sample of their student population using a variety of tools. Most administer them on their own rotating schedules, such as every other year.
Student Engagement
- Fifteen colleges have participated in NSSE — a student survey that obtains information on student participation and how undergraduates spend their time, relate to faculty, use curriculum and develop personally.
- Seven colleges have participated in the College Institutional Research Project used to measure reasons for enrolling and student activities.
- Tools such as the College Student Survey or institution-developed assessments are used by several colleges to measure campus involvement and student satisfaction.
Student Proficiency
- The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) has been administered by nine MPCC schools. The CLA assesses the institution’s contribution to student learning using scenarios requiring written responses from the student which measure reasoning and communication skills.
- The Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) is a national test that is used by many colleges nationwide, including Minnesota's private colleges. The CAAP measures students' attainment of core skills and learning. It can be tailored to specific institutions’ mission or learning goals and be used as pre-test/post-test of a cohort of students to measure gains.
- At least one college uses the Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress which, like other tools, measures undergraduate reading, critical thinking, writing and math.
- Finally, there are several other privately developed assessment and inventory tools as well as institution-developed assessments and surveys that help maintain and improve delivery of education.
These assessment measures provide useful information about the student experience and learning at institutions. For example, using NSSE, the University of St.Thomas found that increased participation in campus activities had a positive impact on development of students’ values and ethics and their relationships with faculty and other students. Bethel University found that its seniors are more likely to have been involved in community-based projects, read more texts and complete more internships than students at peer schools.
Getting the complete picture
Although assessment tools are useful in monitoring delivery of education and ensuring that students are getting full value for their investment, these snapshot measurements are not enough. The real measure of the quality of a college education is in the career opportunities and successes, personal development and civic service that occur over a lifetime.
Results of an independent survey of public and MPCC college alumni illustrate the lasting value of an education at our private institutions. The Worlds of Difference report 
PDF (578 KB) presents evidence of alumnus’ personal and professional growth after graduation. Small class sizes, focused learning environments, strong support systems and deeply-engaged faculty members do make a difference. Watch for an article on updated alumni survey results in the February issue of NEWS.