Eastern Oregon University

General Education Assessment

 

Spring 2008 Pilot Project:

EOU’s Critical Thinking Outcome

 

In spring of 2008, EOU assessed the Critical Thinking Outcome of its General Education program.  Six CAS faculty teaching General Education courses that address the Critical Thinking Outcome evaluateed the extent to which their students demonstrate Proficient, Adequate, and Developing levels of competence.

 

The following steps will be employed:

  1. Met with the CAS Dean to receive charge, reviewed the Critical Thinking outcome traits to be assessed, reviewed the rubric to be employed, reviewed the student Consent Letter for the collection of documents, reviewed other steps, and reached consensus on the processes to be employed in the Spring 08 Pilot Study, including the use of a rubric and the collection of evidence.  (Evidence consists of student work from each General Education class being assessed in the Spring 08 Pilot Study).
  2. Had students sign Consent Letter and keep a copy for themselves; shared with students these steps in the assessment pilot project.
  3. Pilot Study Faculty collected evidence (an assignment or set of assignments demonstrating Critical Thinking Traits).
  4. Each faculty member involved in the Pilot Study used the rubric to assess the Critical Thinking abilities of the students in the selected class they were evaluating. 
  5. Percentages of those Proficient, Adequate, and Developing were calculated by each faculty member in the study for his or her class.  Number of students (in each class) involved in the assessment was recorded as well.
  6. Each faculty member in the Pilot Study selected sample assignments demonstrating Proficient, Adequate, and Developing levels of competence in Critical Thinking from the course being evaluated.  (One assignment from a single student from the faculty member’s Gen Ed course selected to represent each level.)
  7. The six faculty in the Pilot Study met at the end of the term to share results and collate percentages (including total number of students evaluated).
  8. The six faculty in the Pilot Study reviewed the sample papers (without student names but with level of competence identified) to determine the extent to which they agree on the traits and their levels.
  9. The six faculty in the Pilot Study reviewed the Critical Thinking Outcome and its Traits in order to make recommendations for revision or refinement, if any are needed.
  10. The six faculty in the Pilot Study reflected on this assessment and noted (as well as recorded) changes they will make in their syllabi , assignments, and pedagogy in response to the results of this assessment.
  11. The six faculty in the Pilot Study prepared to present the results of the Pilot Study to all Eastern faculty in a session dedicated to General Education in September.

 

2008 General Education Assessment:  Critical Thinking

        Rubric and Cumulative Results

        Closing the Assessment Loop

        Prompts Used in This Assessment

        Samples of Student Work

        Conclusions and Recommendations