Eastern Washington University College Portrait

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Students
Find out more about the characteristics of students who attend EWU.
Admissions
See how many students applied, accepted, and enrolled at EWU. Learn more about students’ high school preparation and test scores.
College Costs & Financial Aid
Learn about costs to attend EWU and how much financial aid is typically awarded.
College Cost Estimator
Estimate your cost to attend EWU in a few simple steps.
Classes and Campus Life
Learn more about professors, where students live, and campus safety at EWU.
Student Experiences
Discover ways to be actively involved in your education at EWU – inside and outside the classroom.
Majors, Graduation and Next Steps
See which majors are most popular at EWU and what recent graduates plan to do after earning their bachelor's degree.
Student Success & Progress
Discover how many students who start at EWU finish their bachelor's degree and how long it takes.
Student Learning Outcomes
Figure out what learning gains to expect in critical thinking, writing, and other important subjects at EWU.

Student Learning at Eastern Washington University

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.

EWU Assessment of Learning Outcomes Overview

The Advisory Committee on Academic Assessment (ACAA) under direction of the Provost leads the assessment effort of the university. The Office of Institutional Research assists in this effort by conducting surveys, maintaining databases and performing analysis to satisfy accreditation, state and federal assessment reporting requirements.

The Office of Undergraduate Studies assists faculty and staff educators with professional development, teaching and learning resources and student learning assessment support.

Measuring Student Outcomes

Student outcomes are measured in many ways at EWU including classroom testing, student portfolios, Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs), standardized testing (CAAP) and self-assessment (EWU Graduating Senior Survey). The EWU catalog lists Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), which are statements that specify what students will know or be able to do or demonstrate when they have completed each course. ACAA reviews all SLOs and the faculty assess students' progress in achieving stated outcomes. SLOs by program are provided on the EWU web pages.

Post-graduation success is measured at EWU using alumni survey data.

Learning Assessment Examples

Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes

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.

2008 - 08 Results from the College Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP)

The Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) measures critical thinking and written communication using two test modules -- critical thinking and a writing essay. The critical thinking and writing scores are reported separately below.

Test Administration Process

Test Information

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

The increase in critical thinking skills is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.

Freshman Score: 61
Senior Score: 66
CAAP score range: 40 to 80

Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 982
Senior Score: 1054

Writing Essay Results for First-time, Full-time Students

The increase in written communication skills is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.

Freshman Score: 3
Senior Score: 3
CAAP score range: 1 to 6