Core Learning Outcomes Assessment Data

2018-2019 Assessment of Civic Engagement

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• 5,457 NOVA students took part in the assessment process.
• 17 programs and disciplines assessed civic engagement.
• 84% of educational programs and disciplines have already incorporated civic engagement into their learning outcomes prior to the 2018-2019 assessment.
• Rubrics and exams primarily assessed civic engagement in terms of civic knowledge or civic responsibility (see above for definitions).
• Students learned how to reduce their carbon footprint, act ethically and civically in their field of studies, and practice social responsibility.

Click here to learn more about civic engagement at NOVA.

For more information on students’ civic engagement at NOVA, check out the 2018-2019 Institutional Effectiveness Audit of Civic Engagement.

2017-2019 Assessment of Critical Thinking

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NOVA students deepened their knowledge and understanding of the world based on sound evidence and logic. Students also learned how to synthesize ideas across various resources, analyze it, and provide a solution.

• 4,603 NOVA students took part in the assessment process.
• 42 programs and disciplines assessed critical thinking.
• 83% of educational programs and disciplines have already incorporated critical thinking into their learning outcomes prior to the 2017-2018 assessment.
• Rubrics and exams assessed critical thinking in terms of analysis, forms of explanation and/or identification of an issue.
• Students confronted the difficulties of false arguments, as well as the relationship between evidence and claims made by public figures and private citizens.

To learn more about critical thinking at NOVA, click here.

For more information on student engagement in critical thinking, check out the 2017-2018 Institutional Effectiveness Audit of Critical Thinking.

2019-2020 Assessment of Professional Readiness

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5,403 students participated in the 2019-2020 assessment of professional readiness. 3,639 students were assessed in 100-level courses while 1,534 students were assessed in 200-level courses. At the 200-level, 91.8% of students met or exceeded their target, 2.3% partially met their targets, and 5.9% did not meet their target. NOVA defined professional readiness as expertise in the field, application of knowledge, analysis, and writing.

NOVA students learned and practiced the skills employers are looking for in new hires.

• 5,403 NOVA students took part in the assessment process.
• 51 programs and disciplines assessed professional readiness.
• 67% of educational programs and disciplines have already incorporated professional readiness into their learning outcomes prior to the 2019-2020 assessment.
• Most programs and disciplines operationalized professional readiness as expertise/knowledge in the field and application of knowledge in their rubrics and exams.
• Students learned to communicate with others, speak in public, work in teams, become leaders, work independently, and understand the multicultural world in which they live.

To learn more about professional readiness at NOVA, click here.

2017-2018 Assessment of Quantitative Literacy

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NOVA students integrated quantitative knowledge into their coursework outside of math class.

• 1,880 NOVA students took part in the assessment process.
• 20 programs and disciplines assessed quantitative literacy.
• 72% of educational programs and disciplines have already incorporated quantitative literacy into their learning outcomes prior to the 2017-2018 assessment.
• Most programs and disciplines used calculation and application/analysis to operationalize quantitative literacy in exam questions and on rubrics.
• Students examined how statistics shape arguments, precision in patient care, and global economic and population concerns and possibilities.

To learn more about quantitative literacy at NOVA, click here.

2019-2020 Assessment of Scientific Literacy

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7,367 NOVA students participated in the 2019-2020 assessment of scientific literacy. 3,427 students were assessed in 100-level courses while 3,570 students were assessed in 200-level courses. At the 200-level, 44% of students met or exceeded the set target scores while 26.6% partially met and 29.4% did not meet the set target scores. NOVA assessed scientific literacy primarily as understanding the scientific method, systematic analysis, problem solving, and research utilization.

NOVA students used logic and the scientific method to consider evidence and solve problems.

• 7,367 NOVA students took part in the assessment process.
• 16 programs and disciplines assessed scientific literacy.
• 75% of educational programs and disciplines have already incorporated scientific literacy into their learning outcomes prior to the 2019-2020 assessment.
• Most programs and disciplines operationalized scientific literacy as understanding the scientific method, systematic analysis, and problem-solving in their rubrics and exams.

To learn more about scientific literacy at NOVA, click here.

For more information on student success with scientific literacy, check out the 2019-2020 Institutional Effectiveness Audit of Scientific Literacy (TBA).

2018-2019 Assessment of Written Communication

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NOVA students engaged in writing across the curriculum, learning to adopt their writing to their field of study.  

• 4,837 NOVA students took part in the assessment process.
• 44 programs and disciplines assessed written communication.
• 18% of educational programs and disciplines have already incorporated written communication into their learning outcomes prior to the 2018-2019 assessment.
• Rubrics and exams primarily assessed written communication in terms of explanation/description, supporting material, organization and structure, and writing mechanics.
• Students produced evidence-based arguments, creative writing, and technical documentation specific to their field.

To learn more about written communication at NOVA, click here.