Evidence of Student Learning (from NECHE Self-Study Guide)
Some Methods that Provide Direct Evidence of Student Learning
- Locally developed tests
- Standardized tests
- Pre- and post-tests
- Essay tests blind scored across units
- Internal juried review of student projects
- External juried review of student projects
- Externally reviewed internships
- Performance on national licensure examinations
- Student work samples
- Collections of student work (e.g., Portfolios)
- Course-embedded assessment
- Observations of student behavior
Some Methods that Provide Indirect Evidence of Student Learning
- Alumni, employer, student surveys
- Focus groups
- Exit interviews with graduates
- Graduate follow-up studies
- Percentage of students who go on to graduate school
- Retention and transfer studies
- Job placement statistics
Methods that do NOT Provide Evidence of Student Learning
- Faculty publications (unless students are involved)
- Courses selected or elected by students
- Faculty/student ratios
- Percentage of students who study abroad
- Enrollment trends
- Percentage of students who graduate within five to six years
- Diversity of the student body
- Size of endowment
- Number of books in the library
Source: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)