University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire College Portrait

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Students
Find out more about the characteristics of students who attend UWEC.
Admissions
See how many students applied, accepted, and enrolled at UWEC. Learn more about students’ high school preparation and test scores.
College Costs & Financial Aid
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College Cost Estimator
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Classes and Campus Life
Learn more about professors, where students live, and campus safety at UWEC.
Student Experiences
Discover ways to be actively involved in your education at UWEC – inside and outside the classroom.
Majors, Graduation and Next Steps
See which majors are most popular at UWEC and what recent graduates plan to do after earning their bachelor's degree.
Student Success & Progress
Discover how many students who start at UWEC 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 UWEC.
The Eau Claire Advantage

Student Learning at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

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.

UW-Eau Claire has assessed student achievement in reading, written communication, and math since 1995. The findings from these assessments indicate how well the University is doing in terms of helping students achieve these skills.

UW-Eau Claire has used the test for Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency since 1995. Given to rising juniors, this test is linked to a student’s performance on the ACT exam which is typically taken in the senior year of high school. Linking these two tests indicates the degree to which UW-Eau Claire students have met or exceeded the expected gains in these areas. Additionally, the test is given nationwide.

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.

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

Freshman Score: 63
Senior Score: 65
CAAP score range: 40 to 80

Average ACT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 24
Senior Score: 24

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