Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference Chicago, IL ▪ April 7, 2013 Christine Keller VSA Executive Director Teri Lyn Hinds VSA Associate Director

Review original goals of VSA, student learning outcomes pilot project Discuss selected findings, recommendations from NILOA evaluation of SLO Pilot, participant reports Describe use of evaluation results: technical work group, communications advisory group Outline next steps for VSA: new reporting options, refocus/rebranding

the undergraduate student experience through a common web report – the College Portrait. Initiative by public universities to supply straightforward, comparable information on

Developed, launched in 2007 – 70 institutions, 80 leaders – APLU and AASCU partnership Three original objectives – Demonstrate accountability, transparency – College search tool – Support innovation in the measurement, reporting of student learning outcomes 300 participating public universities

Goal: Directly measure, publicly report student learning gains (value-added) at institution level using a common method – Skills: critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, written communication – Tests: CAAP, CLA, ETS Proficiency Profile Reporting includes link to institution specific learning outcomes data Pilot period ended December 2012

Conducted by National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) – Focus groups – Interviews – Surveys – Google Analytics – College Portrait statistics

NILOA’s mission is to document student learning outcomes assessment work, identify and disseminate best practices, and support institutions in their assessment efforts. S URVEYS ● W EB S CANS ● C ASE S TUDIES ● F OCUS G ROUPS ● O CCASIONAL P APERS ● W EBSITE ● R ESOURCES ● N EWSLETTER ● L ISTSERV ● P RESENTATIONS ● T RANSPARENCY F RAMEWORK ● F EATURED W EBSITES ● A CCREDITATION R ESOURCES ● A SSESSMENT E VENT C ALENDAR ● A SSESSMENT N EWS ● M EASURING Q UALITY I NVENTORY ● P OLICY A NALYSIS ● E NVIRONMENTAL S CAN

VSA in 2007 was a wise, timely, useful, necessary response to the accountability, transparency demands of the time Many eligible institutions - about 1/3 - do not participate in the VSA 50% of participating institutions missing student learning outcomes information The student learning outcomes section of attracts little traffic

College Portrait: “ Information posted may not reflect the needs of prospective students, families or provide the information they seek to make decisions about where to attend college.” Student Learning Outcomes: “ The standardized test measures of student learning outcomes lack broad credibility and acceptance in the higher education community, undermining institutional participation and engagement with the VSA and campus faculty and staff support of the VSA initiative.”

“Mend it, don’t end it” Expand range of assessment tools and approaches Focus on specific audiences and communicating meaningful information

Technical work group considered alternative measures of learning outcomes to recommend to VSA Board Confirmed importance of student learning outcomes reporting within the VSA No perfect of measure of student learning exists for all audiences – External accountability – Institutional improvement – College selection

Work Group Ratings of Recommended VSA Instruments in Key Areas Instrument 1= lowest rating 10=highest rating CLACAAP ETS PP (short form) ETS PP (long form) VALUE Rubrics GRE Allow comparisons, benchmarking across institutions? Offer a representative sample? Usefulness to faculty/students for learning improvement? inst- 2 class Transparency of method, results External accountability Ease of administration on campus Reasonable costs (time, resources) 5776 startup - 3 marginal- 8 9 Motivation for students to do well? Likely interest to consumers? Valid learning outcomes instrument for average student? portfolios - 9 assign -7 3

Continue use of value-added measurement using CAAP, CLA, ETS Proficiency Profile Introduce option to use VALUE Rubrics based on AAC&U essential learning outcomes Introduce option to use aggregate scores from professional and graduate admissions exams such as the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT

Broader Focus & Outreach – Evolution from college selection website to consumer information tools – New audience focus: state officials, accreditors Expanded Learning Outcomes Options – Original tests - CAAP, CLA, ETS PP – Plus AAC&U VALUE rubrics – critical thinking, written communication – Both value-added, benchmarked reporting

Pilot project wrap-up: VSA participants describe, publish pilot project experiences using three part form 92 institutions completed the Pilot Experience Report – 65 participated – administered or tried to administer one of the instruments – 27 did not participate

27 institutions posted results to their College Portrait – 16 found the results useful on campus – CLA was the most frequently reported 38 institutions tried to administer an instrument – 14 reported difficulty meeting minimum sample size requirements – 8 reported campus concerns with sample sizes, even when they met publisher recommendations

27 institutions did not participate – Campus perceptions that the instruments wouldn’t provide useful results at 9 institutions – 7 institutions has more pressing institutional priorities – 6 institutions were concerned about the monetary cost of the instruments

Institutions asked to select all options under consideration by campus – 28 institutions considering more than one option – Many institutions exploring benchmarking and value-added for the same instrument 44 institutions considering the ETS PP – Either/both value-added, senior-only benchmark administrations 34 institutions considering AAC&U VALUE Rubrics

Form Communication Advisory Group from public affairs, communications, government affairs Promote key elements on College Portrait: success and progress rate, cost of attendance, net price calculator, financial aid, future plans Re-connect with key audiences: assessment experts, state/system officials, accreditors

Institutions can publish Success & Progress Rate graphs and tables for customized student groups – Part-time students, veterans, Pell-recipients Augmented cost, financial aid info – Net price and financial aid by income range, average indebtedness, average loan payment

VSA Affordability Estimator improvements provide more accurate net price estimates, clearer presentation of results (May) Learning Outcomes Pilot Project Report will summarize campus experiences, lessons from 4-year pilot (May) At-a-Glance tool for government affairs staff will offer streamlined, summarized view of key indicators (August)

Unprecedented challenges for public higher education to be more accountable and more transparent concerning value, outcomes Work to position the VSA/College Portrait as a tool to respond to those challenges

College Portrait website: Reports & Presentations: Blog: Christine Keller Executive Director Teri Lyn Hinds Associate Director