NSSE is becoming increasingly helpful in improving student success and building public confidence in the commitment of colleges and universities to improve teaching and learning.
Paul E. Lingenfelter, President, State Higher Education Executive Officers
NSSE and the Voluntary System of Accountability
NSSE has been selected as one of four assessment instruments about students’ experiences and perceptions for the Voluntary System of Accountability (VSA). Developed through a partnership between the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (APLU), the VSA is designed to help institutions meet the following objectives:
- Demonstrate accountability and stewardship to the public
- Measure educational outcomes to identify effective educational practice
- Assemble information that is accessible, understandable, and comparable
The VSA’s College Portrait provides information on institutional and student characteristics, attendance costs, student engagement, and educational outcomes. This information is intended for students, families, policy-makers, campus faculty and staff, the general public, and other higher education stakeholders.
NSSE assesses student experiences and perceptions for the VSA College Portrait. As used in the VSA, NSSE reports results for seniors within six specified areas that academic research has shown to be correlated with greater student learning and development: group learning, active learning, experiences with diverse groups of people and ideas, student satisfaction, institutional commitment to student learning and success, and student interactions with faculty and staff. Click here to view NSSE items included in these sections of the VSA College Portrait.
Click here to Register for NSSE or FSSE 2010.
NSSE/VSA Resources:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NSSE and VSA
If you have questions about VSA and NSSE, please e-mail nsse@indiana.edu or call 812.856.5824. - SPSS syntax to simplify recoding your NSSE data for the College Portrait template
- Web page to link to "CLICK HERE for information on the NSSE survey" in the College Portrait
- Wondering what other NSSE data to include in "CLICK HERE for examples of how State U evaluates the experiences of its students" in the College Portrait? Here are some suggestions:
- NSSE Executive Snapshot. Concise summary of some key findings from your institution's performance on NSSE.
- NSSE Pocket Guide Report: "What Students are Saying...". Short report features primarily first-year student responses to NSSE items included in A Pocket Guide to Choosing a College
- USA TODAY Database. Web site features a searchable database of NSSE benchmarks scores from institutions that elected to participate in this initiative.
- NSSE Benchmark Comparisons. Report compares the performance of your institution with your selected comparison groups.
- Good examples of NSSE data use to supplement VSA College Portraits
- NSSE-VSA Information Flyer
- NSSE's Position on Public Reporting of Student Engagement Results
- VSA Background and Development. McPherson, P. & Shulenburger, D. (2006). Toward a voluntary system of accountability program (VSA) for public universities and colleges. Washington, DC: National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges.
- Register for a NSSE/VSA Webinar [TBA]