Direct and indirect measures of student learning

Direct Measures of Student Learning

• The capstone experience
• Portfolio assessment
• Standardized tests (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test [MFAT]; the Test of
• Critical Thinking Ability; the Academic Profile)
• Performance on national licensure, certification, or professional exams (e.g., Professional Assessment Examination for Beginning Teachers [PRAXIS]; Federal
• Aviation Administration exam)
• Locally developed tests
• Essay questions blind scored by faculty across the department, division, school, or college
• Qualitative internal and external juried review of comprehensive senior projects
• Externally reviewed exhibitions and performance in the arts
• External evaluation of performance during internships based on stated program objectives

Source: Cecilia Lopez, NCA Commission on Institutions of Higher Education: Opportunities for Improvement: Advice from Consultant-Evaluators of Programs to Assess Student Learning, March, 1996

 

Indirect Measures of Student Learning

• Alumni, employer, and student surveys
• Exit interviews of graduates and focus groups
• Interviews of instructors, program coordinators, residence halls leaders, and others who have direct contact with students
• Graduate follow-up studies
• Retention and transfer studies
• Length of time to degree
• SAT / ACT scores
• Graduation rates and transfer rates
• Job placement data
• Satisfaction surveys
• Self-report measures assessing students’ perceptions of what they’ve learned
• Observing and recording students’ behaviors

Sources:

(1) University of Hawaii - Choose a Method to Collect Data/Evidence
(2) Skidmore College: Indirct Assessment Measures