Institutional Assessment and Studies News

Faculty Senate Survey Illuminates Commonality, Diversity of Opinion

January 2008--In early 2007, the Faculty Senate asked the Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies (IAS) to administer a survey to the full faculty to address a topic of high priority: faculty welfare, recruitment, and retention. The survey solicited feedback and opinion on a range of factors thought to affect faculty satisfaction and wellbeing.
Full report Brief newsletter

USA Today Article on NSSE Features UVa

November 2007--A recent USA Today article discusses student engagement through NSSE results, and features the University of Virginia. The article can be viewed here. The University has participated in NSSE since the survey's inception. Results are available for public viewing.

Upcoming Assessment Work Session - Friday, September 7

August 2007--Please join us at our upcoming assessment work session on Friday, September 7th, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. in the Newcomb Board Room. We will be discussing assessment planning for Program Review. For details, click here.

UVAssessment Summer Issue

July 2007--This newsletter provides an update on the SACS Reaffirmation process and the potentially consequential report issued by Secretary
of Education Margaret Spellings’ Commission on the Future of Higher Education.

Assessment Work Sessions Scheduled for 2007-2008

June 2007--In order to assist with program assessment efforts throughout the University, IAS has scheduled a number of work sessions for the 2007-2008 academic year. For dates and topics, see the Assessment Work Sessions page.

University to Assess Quantitative Reasoning Abilities of Undergraduates in 2007-08

June 2007--The Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies is planning for this year's competency assessment which focuses on quantitative reasoning. A faculty committee representing several different schools wrote the goal, learning outcomes, and standards expected of UVa students. The committee is currently developing an instrument to measure quantitative reasoning. To find out more about competency assessments or to view the plan that was submitted to SCHEV see the Quantitative Reasoning page.

The Changing Face of UVA

April 2007--In 2006, the University of Virginia Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies undertook a study to describe how first-year students have changed over the past four decades. For results see The Changing Face of UVa: Comparison of First-Year Classes from 1966 to 2005.

Spellings Commission Report and Post-Commission Developments

March 2007-- In September 2006, the Commission appointed by Margaret Spellings, the U.S. Secretary of Education, published its report on higher education A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education. Among its recommendations, it suggested that institutions of higher education increase transparency and accountability by providing comparable evidence of institutional performance, including data from tests such as the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA). If adopted, the recommendations of the Spellings Commission would have profound effects on higher education institutions across the United States.
The U.S. Department of Education provides all documentation on the Commission on the Future of Higher Education . There have been several developments since the publication of the report which can be seen in Inside HigherEd.

Resources for Implementing an Assessment Plan

February 2007--An assessment workshop highlighting the “Nuts and Bolts” of implementing an assessment plan was held. The powerpoint presentation and handouts are available on the workshops page.

NSSE 2005 Report of Results

December 2006--NSSE results from 2005 have been throughly analyzed and reported, including an examination of the benchmarks, academic advising, diversity, African-American responses, and AccessUVa. NSSE 2005 Report

Google search feature on IAS site

December 2006--A google search feature has been added to the main pages of the IAS site. More refined searches to be integrated in the coming months.

AccessUVa Survey Results 2006

November, 2006--Results from 2006 AccessUVa surveys analyzed in a report written by IAS analysts. From the report:

Financial Literacy Survey reveals that UVa students' knowledge is limited but responsible financial behavior is the norm.

Full report

WEAVEonline

The University has purchased an assessment information management system to assist programs, schools and the University documenting, coordinating and reporting assessment processes. WEAVE is live at UVa as of March 15, 2006. Learn more about WEAVE.

AccessUVa Survey Results

December, 2005--Results from 2005 AccessUVa surveys analyzed in a report written by IAS analysts. From the report:

First-year high-need students are engaged, satisfied, and able to take advantage of similar opportunities as other students.

Click here for the full report.

IAS publishes assessment guide

November, 2005--A 7 step guide to developing and implementing a student learning outcomes assessment plan. Go to Assessment.

African-American Undergraduates and Involvement in Student Organizations

March, 2005--IAS releases newsletter examining the connection between involvement in student organizations, satisfaction with the University and academic performance. Click here to download a copy.

U.Va. No. 2 In Rank Of Nation's Top Public Schools

August 24, 2004--The University of Virginia slipped from first to second place while Virginia Tech maintained its 32nd position in a ranking of the nation's top public universities released Friday by U.S. News & World Report.

SCHEV competency reports released for 2004

June, 2004

Quantitative Reasoning
Scientific Reasoning

Enrolled Student Report on Race Relations Survey Released

May 1, 2004--Report released on undergraduate student race relations. Based on a survey of 1140 undergraduate students, including oversamples of all major minority groups, this report explores the questions of African-American satisfaction with the University and relations between racial groups. Click here for the complete report.

U.Va. Regains No. 1 Position Among Best Public Institutions

August 21, 2003--The University of Virginia has regained its No. 1 ranking among public universities, U.S. News & World Report announced today. Click here for details.

An analysis of survey data by race

January, 2003--Recent news about race relations at the University warrants a look at the survey data IAS has collected on the topic. Data from a number of studies provides a broad overview of recent undergraduate student opinion, as well as how this opinion may have changed over time. The central question to be examined is: How do African-American students rate their academic, personal and extracurricular experiences at UVa, and how does their experience compare to other UVa students? Go to the complete article.

New website launched!

September, 2002--IAS has launched its new website. The primary features of this new site are a new look in accordance with University web design standards, an improved navigation system, the integration of institutional studies and assessment sites into one, and the publication of a greater number of reports and data. If you have comments or suggestions, we welcome them. Contact IAS webmaster.

NSSE releases 2002 preliminary results

November, 2002--The preliminary frequencies and means for the 2002 National Survey of Student Engagement have been released. Click here to see the data for U.Va. An article from IAS on the 2002 results will be published in early 2003.

SCHEV competency reports released for 2002.