Critical Thinking Assessment Test CAT Critical Thinking Institute October 9, 2009

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute2 St. Petersburg College Objectives:  Summarize CAT data from 2008 and 2009 administrations  Panel Discussion: Feedback from CAT Scoring Workshop Participants

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute3 St. Petersburg College SPC’s definition of Critical Thinking: “Critical thinking is the active and systematic process of communication, problem- solving, evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and reflection, both individually and in community, to foster understanding, support sound decision-making, and guide action.”

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute4 CAT: Critical Thinking Assessment Test Overview CAT Overview Website:

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute5 CAT: Critical Thinking Assessment Test Skills Assessed by CAT ( )

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute6 CAT Assessment Skills Assessed by CAT ( )  Evaluating Information Separate factual information from inferences. Interpret numerical relationships in graphs. Understand the limitations of correlational data. Evaluate evidence and identify inappropriate conclusions.  Creative Thinking Identify alternative interpretations for data or observations. Identify new information that might support or contradict a hypthesis. Explain how new information can change a problem.  Learning and Problem Solving Separate relevant from irrelevant information. Integrate information to solve problems. Learn and apply new information. Use mathematical skills to solve real-world problems.  Communication Communicate ideas effectively.

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute7 CAT: Critical Thinking Assessment Test Administered by faculty champions in selected sections in Spring 2008; faculty scoring workshop held in July 2008 (87 assessments scored) Administered by faculty champions in selected sections in Summer 2009; faculty scoring workshop held in July 2009 (62 assessments scored) Future administrations in Spring sessions, possibly in mathematics general education classes (i.e. MAC1105, MGF1106, STA2023)

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute8 Distribution of Students by Course: 2008/ CourseDisciplinenMean SLS1101Life Skills138.7 PHI1600Ethics PHI1600Ethics EEC2300Education PCB3043CEducation CourseDisciplinenMean SPC1600Communication PHI2624Ethics PCB3043Education722.6 PLA3474Paralegal Studies918.3 RED4511Education1219.4

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute9 CAT Results by Gender

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute10 CAT Results by Age

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute11 CAT Results by Credits Earned

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute : Course by Credits Earned Course Credits EarnedSPC1600PHI2624PCB3043PLA3474RED4511 < > Total

Assessing for Critical Thinking October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute : CAT Score by GPA GPA nMeann Not reported to to

Assessing for Critical Thinking Held on July 10, 2009 at Epicenter 12 Faculty participated: 62 CAT assessments were scored October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute14 CAT Scoring Workshop  Christy Powers  Katie Woods  Cathy King  Anna Neuzil  Sarah Moseley  Chad Mairn  Jane Till  Mika Nelson  Arlene Gillis  Darlene Westberg  Holly Hoopes  Irene Hayrapetian

Assessing for Critical Thinking Arlene Gillis Irene Hayrapetian Holly Hoopes Jane E. Till Darlene Westberg October 9, 2009 Critical Thinking Institute15 CAT Scoring Workshop Panel

Assessing for Critical Thinking Questions ?? October 9, Critical Thinking Institute