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News
Learning Grants Program Launched
August 2008 - A small grants program will offer grants (up to $2500 each) to support assessments in schools and departments. Sponsored jointly by Institutional Assessment and Studies and the Teaching Resource Center, the grants program seeks to encourage a range of assessment activities—planning, training, development of tools or procedures, and/or data collection and analysis. Members of the University faculty are invited to apply—the deadline this year is October 1. Proposals will be assessed for their potential in accomplishing initial assessments, facilitating ongoing student learning assessment, and/or serving as models of assessment. Awards will be announced by November 3.
For more information: see the learning grants webpage or go to http://collab.itc.virginia.edu/portal and log-in with your net badge id and password; click on Membership, then Joinable Sites, then search for the Learning Assessment site; click on Resources, then on Grants Program.
Interactive Rubric Grading and Assessment Tool Tested
July 2008 - The July 2008 issue of UVAssessment describes “Waypoint,” a software product that supports both grading and assessment. It enables faculty to grade student work using rubrics and provide student feedback online, while storing rubric results for assessment purposes. The pilot test of Waypoint will continue through AY2008-2009.New website launched!
July 2008 - IAS has launched its new website. The primary features of this new site are a new look in accordance with University web design standards and an improved navigation system. However, due to the sheer size of our website, only the top-level pages have been updated to the new look and the rest of the site will be upgraded gradually over the coming months. If you have comments or suggestions, we welcome them. Contact IAS webmaster.
University Assessed Quantitative Reasoning Abilities of Undergraduates in 2007-08
April 2008 - The Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies completed this year's competency assessment which focused on quantitative reasoning. A faculty committee representing several different schools wrote the goal, learning outcomes, and standards expected of UVa students. The committee also developed the 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.
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 opinions 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.
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.
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 Work Sessions 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.
WEAVEonline
March 2006 - 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.
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 a newsletter examining the connection between involvement in student organizations, satisfaction with the University and academic performance. Click here to download a copy.
UVa No. 2 In Rank Of Nation's Top Public Schools
August 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
Enrolled Student Report on Race Relations Survey Released
May 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.
UVa Regains No. 1 Position Among Best Public Institutions
August 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 UVa. An article from IAS on the 2002 results will be published in early 2003.
SCHEV competency reports released for 2002.
SCHEV competency plans released for science and math.
NSSE analysis for 2000 results released
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