Florida Gulf Coast University College Portrait

All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.

All students graduating with a bachelor’s degree are expected to achieve writing proficiency (i.e., demonstrated communication skills) and employ critical thinking skills.

Since 2005, the Florida Board of Governors requires universities to establish for each undergraduate degree program an Academic Learning Compact (ALC) [link to ALCs]. The ALC is intended to provide students, parents, and employers with a clearly identified description of the skills (including communication and critical thinking) and discipline-based knowledge students will be exposed to in a given academic program.

 

At FGCU such assessments typically occur in a final capstone course (but may occur elsewhere in the curriculum as well). However, the manner in which this is assessed varies from program to program in keeping with the unique character of each discrete course of study and is usually done on a sampling basis. Some student assessment examples recorded over the last few years are included to illustrate this point [2-link to assessment examples]. Student results are then used by the faculty to strengthen the program’s curriculum with a goal of enhancing future student performance.

 

FGCU also employs standardized assessments such as the ETS Proficiency Profile. While the results of such assessments provide useful insight into student learning, FGCU believes that a deeper appreciation of student learning may be gleaned through customized assessments. This is due in large measure to the fact that customized assessments are embedded in courses and count toward a student’s ultimate grade. This provides a powerful incentive to perform well.  On the other hand, standardized assessments tend to be independent of course associations, usually are not embedded in a course of study, and consequently provide little or no incentive to student performance.

 

Notwithstanding, FGCU is sampling first-year students for assessment using the ETS Proficiency Profile and is also sampling students who are just completing their third year. This latter group will include transfer students as well. To date, a sample of over 200 first-year students have been assessed (and their results are included as part of this portrait) and third-year students will be assessed during the spring semester of 2012.  

 

How do our students fare after graduation? Students graduating from FGCU enjoy some of the highest post-graduation employment rates within the State University System of Florida as indicated by data compiled by the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP). Many of these graduates also pursue additional study as well [3-link to FETPIP data].  

Learning Assessment Examples

Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.

2007 - Results from the ETS Proficiency Profile (formerly MAPP)

The ETS Proficiency Profile (formerly MAPP) measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning, and written communication and reports separate scores on critical thinking and written communication.

Test Administration Process

Test Information

Critical Thinking Results for First-time, Full-time Students

The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.

Freshman Score: 107
Senior Score: 0
ETS score range: 100 to 130

Average ACT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 21
Senior Score: 0

Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1022
Senior Score: 0

Written Communication Results for First-time, Full-time Students

The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.

Freshman Score: 110
Senior Score: 0
ETS score range: 100 to 130

Average ACT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 21
Senior Score: 0

Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1022
Senior Score: 0

Critical Thinking Results for Full-time Transfer Students

The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.

Freshman Score: 0
Senior Score: 0
ETS score range: 100 to 130

Written Communication Results for Full-time Transfer Students

The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.

Freshman Score: 0
Senior Score: 0
ETS score range: 100 to 130