Assessing Student Academic Achievement The General Education Skills

What are General Education Skills? Vital skills that cross the curriculum Should be emphasized in all classes Lead to Academic and Career success

The General Education Skill Set Includes: Communication Critical Thinking Information Literacy Diversity Awareness

Communication Communication skills are demonstrated through written assignments that clearly identify: Purpose What am I trying to accomplish? To Inform To Persuade To Express Audience What does my reader need to know for me to accomplish my purpose? Focus What is my central thesis?

Critical Thinking Involves a progression of skills Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

Information Literacy The ability to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, critically evaluate, and use effectively the needed information. (American Library Association, 1998)

Diversity Awareness Involves recognizing and valuing the diverse needs and perspectives of individuals, including: ideas, viewpoints, and values, religious beliefs, backgrounds, cultures, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, human capacity, and ethnicity

Graduate Achievement Portfolio (GAP) The GAP portfolio allows the student to demonstrate their mastery of all four general education skills. Student work is categorized by General Education skill and submitted GAP portfolio pieces are scored by faculty using standard rubrics to determine areas of greatest need