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A For-Profit Accountability System?

Inside Higher Ed (December/2009)

For the second consecutive year, the University of Phoenix has released an academic report. The University used NSSE, among other national measures of assessment, to address student performance and to identify initiatives to improve the student experience.

Activities seen as key to student retention

Cincinnati Enquirer (December/2009)

Colleges in metropolitan Cincinnati cite NSSE data as proof that they are better involving students in out-of-class activities. Areas of improvement include academic advising, group projects in class, and service learning.

Wayne State is attracting a younger crowd

Detroit Free Press (November/2009)

Wayne State University is experiencing significant changes in its undergraduate student population. This urban institution is becoming younger. In this article, NSSE’s Jilian Kinzie explains what makes this shift in student demographics fairly normal.

What High School Seniors Might Learn From a Survey of 360,000 College Students

The New York Times (November/2009)

Jacques Steinberg, New York Times education writer, blogs and encourages high school students and their parents to use NSSE findings to make informed decisions about prospective colleges. Steinberg also highlights how the survey itself, even if an institution does not have its data accessible, can inform the public of relevant questions to ask admissions officers.

Student engagement: It's different at every institution

USA TODAY (November/2009)

This piece highlights how NSSE some institutions put student engagement data to use on campus. Examples are shown about how institutions engage different kinds of students based on a number of different factors.

NSSE changes how colleges judge success, weakness

USA Today (November/2009)

Colleges across the nation are making innovative changes to better engage student bodies. Yet, many of these initiatives may not have been implemented if the institutions had not participated in NSSE. Read more to find out about what NSSE data outlines about measuring 'quality' in higher education.

Study: Faculty-student interaction rises

Business First of Buffalo (November/2009)

This article highlights NSSE findings about the rise of collaborative learning projects and interaction between faculty and students at universities.

More Engaged

Inside Higher Ed (November/2009)

NSSE's findings over the last 10 years are highlighted as the survey has shown how institutions can continue to improve the quality of undergraduate education.

Transfer Students Are Less Likely to Take Part in 'High Impact' Activities

The Chronicle of Higher Education (November/2009)

For the first time, NSSE has compiled and analyzed data comparing college transfers, whether from two-year to four-year or four-year to four-year institutions. Read more about the levels of engagement among transfer students. Also, this article highlights NSSE findings about the senior experience.

Engaged or confused?

Inside Higher Ed (November/2009)

A paper at the Association for the Study of Higher Education annual conference by Iowa State University associate professor Stephen Porter raised concerns about how students interpret NSSE questions and questioned the survey’s ability to provide useful results. Read NSSE's summary of survey data relevance and utility.

Researcher Harpoons the 'Nessie' Survey of Students

The Chronicle of Higher Education (November/2009)

Iowa State University associate professor Stephen Porter presented a paper at the Association for the Study of Higher Education annual conference that questioned the validity of the survey. Read NSSE's summary of survey data relevance and utility.

Turning Surveys Into Reforms

Inside Higher Ed (October/2009)

NSSE, in its 10th year of operation, is highlighted in Inside Higher Education for a decade of success in surveying students’ engagement on everything from how much homework they get to how much they talk to members of racial groups different from their own. What began with only 70 institutions in its 1999 pilot year of administration, NSSE has since seen about 1,200 institutions participate.

How to make NSSE college scores work for you

USA TODAY (October/2009)

USA Today allows readers to use the "searching for signs of engagement" tool based on the NSSE five benchmarks. Read more about NSSE's position on public reporting of survey results.

Make the most of your visit

Cincinnati Enquirer (September/2009)

This article encourages people taking college visits to review an institution’s NSSE results before arriving on campus. In addition to the rankings of the often-noted U.S. News & World Results and The Princeton Review, NSSE results are mentioned as a resource that is an important part of “your homework” to do before visiting an institution.

'Helicopter Moms:' Hurting or Helping Your Kids?

ABC News (August/2009)

For some parents, being involved in every moment of their children’s college matriculation is the norm. Though the debate in higher education tends to paint “helicopter parents” hovering over their college-aged children as a negative occurrence, ABC News cites NSSE for validity that “helicopter parenting” may increase student engagement.

Rankings Privilege Status Attainment Over Student Attainment

AAC&U Blog (August/2009)

U.S. News & World Report (USN&WR) magazine did not invent college rankings, but its annual fall issue has dominated the market for the past two decades. They continue to capture the public fancy despite evidence revealing their vapid content, serious methodological flaws, and limited influence on where the vast majority of undergraduates go to college.

Seizing the Spotlight on 'U.S. News'

Inside Higher Ed (August/2009)

This article discusses the US News ranking system. It talks about a lack of quality assessment. The article highlights some intiatives including NSSE that will help ensure the quality of undergraduate education.

Tip Sheet: On the Wisdom and Merits of Exploring ‘Less Visible’ Colleges

The New York Times (July/2009)

The article suggest that consumers are forced to reduce college choice to rankings and how useful information about the college choice is needed. Ranking guides sell big, but their purported value in the college search process can be diminished if consumers learn to go after fit, rather than name brand. The article mentions NSSE as a wonderful resource for gathering information about college outcomes.

For Millennials, College and Learning Are Not the Same

The Chronicle of Higher Education (July/2009)

This article discusses "disengagement" of college students and uses NSSE data to support its arguement. For instance, 38 percent of first year students “Never” met with professors outside of class to “discuss ideas from readings or classes,” and 39 percent only did so “Sometimes.”

Assessing Accountability

Inside Higher Ed (July/2009)

Education Sector, a think tank promoting education reform, analyzed accountability systems across the nation and found varied results in its report, "Ready to Assemble: Grading State Higher Education Accountability Systems." Education Sector graded 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia on a three-grade scale. To assess the level of accountability, Education Sector examined whether states use new assessment tools like the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) or the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA). States have used these tools, developed by nonprofit organizations, in part to answer critics who say higher education hasn’t held itself accountable.

Tell the Truth About Colleges

The Atlantic (June/2009)

Tuition is rising at many institutions and it’s hard for critics to support a claim that the most expensive institutions offer better education. Measures such as the NSSE has shown that most of the variation of student scores can be accounted for within an institution.

The Impact of Student Employment

Inside Higher Ed (June/2009)

Today's college students are working more than they have in the past. Nearly half of all full-time students and 80% of part time students have a job while attending school. Data from the National Survey of Student Engagement, looked at how various amounts of on- and off-campus work directly influenced students' self-reported grades and indirectly affected their levels of engagement in academic activities

US: Decoding learning gains

University World News (June/2009)

Learning outcomes has become an essential part of nation discussion on Higher Education. Decoding Learning Gains: Measuring outcomes and the pivotal role of the major and student backgrounds, which is freely available on the CSHE site, compares the methodology and potential uses of three tools for measuring learning outcomes, according to its abstract: the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA), the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), and the University of California's Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES).

In Texas, Transfer Students Get an Extra Pat on the Back

The Chronicle of Higher Education (May/2009)

More transfer students are attending four year institutions according to NSSE. Many institutions are struggling to meet the academic and social needs of transfer students.

Not enough advisers for students

The News Records (May/2009)

Academic advising is a concern of the student body at the University of Cincinnati. Findings from NSSE support the arguement that students desire more advising.

U. of Phoenix Study Probes Whether National Student Survey Works for Online Colleges

The Chronicle of Higher Education (May/2009)

The article touches on NSSE findings and the engagement of e-learners at online institutions of higher education. Alexander McCormick, NSSE director, said the survey was designed to reflect “the typical undergraduate experience.” And despite the growth of online learning, he said, “right now the typical undergraduate experience is still largely residential institutions.”

Survey: UNO freshmen are working fewer hours; seniors working more

UNO Gateway (April/2009)

This article uses NSSE results to discuss why students at UNO are working more as Seniors.

Graff at the MLA, Part 2

The Chronicle of Higher Education (April/2009)

This article discusses courseocentrism. In a courseocentric system, classrooms are discrete spaces, courses don’t “communicate” with one another, and faculty members operate as free agents in disregard of each other’s teaching.This article uses findings from NSSE to support its arguement of why students are disengaged.

Tuition may increase

The Omega (April/2009)

This article addresses tuition increases at its institution and students growing need to work more while attending school. The article uses NSSE data to support its arguement.

Pa. schools deserve aid program

The Philadelphia Inquirer (March/2009)

This article points out a need for increased state funding. it uses NSSE data to support its argument.

Where You Go To College Doesn't Matter

Forbes (March/2009)

This article talks about the financial cost of colleges. It uses NSSE data to argue that students can get a good education at any school. The article points out findings from the 2008 NSSE results that state 90% of the variation in students' perceptions of the quality of their undergraduate experience occurs within--instead of among--campuses.

Unread Monographs, Uninspired Undergrads

Inside Higher Ed (March/2009)

This article discusses the value of engagement and its relation to espoused values of faculty. This article uses NSSE data to support its findings

Still Moving From Teaching to Learning

The Chronicle of Higher Education (March/2009)

With the use of technology higher education scholarship is still moving from teaching to learning. The article references NSSE's high impact activities

College freshmen drink more than they study

Collegenews.com (March/2009)

This article highlights various studies that conclude college freshmen drink more than they study. The article also highlights findings from NSSE.

College freshmen study booze more than books

USA TODAY (March/2009)

Nearly half of college freshmen who drink alcohol spend more time drinking each week than they do studying, suggests a survey involving more than 30,000 first-year students on 76 campuses who took an online alcohol education course last fall. Students who said they had at least one drink in the past 14 days spent an average 10.2 hours a week drinking, and averaged about 8.4 hours a week studying. The National Survey of Student Engagement asked a question about studying last spring, and found that its 18,000 respondents spent an average of 13.2 hours preparing for class.

The Changing Face of Women's Colleges

U.S.News & World Report (March/2009)

Survey results show that 3 percent of collegebound women will even consider attending a women's college dispite outnumbering men on coeducational campuses. Women's colleges are finding new ways to appeal to students and are focusing on the campus experience of the students who choose to attend. An analysis of data from the National Survey for Student Engagement shows women at women's colleges rate their educational experience higher than women at coeducational schools.

Politics, money concern college freshmen

Galesburg.com (March/2009)

More than ever, politics and money are on the minds of new college students. This article discusses findings from the NSSE results and a survey out of UCLA that show students awareness of politics and there concern towards paying for college.

In Defense of Helicopter Parents

The New York Times (March/2009)

The article talks about the benefits of being a helicopter parents. The article acknowledges the awareness helicopter parents of of there students life and the positive effects of being involved. The article quotes Jillian Kinzie several times.

A diverse campus improves education for everyone

Valley Courier Online (March/2009)

This article talks about the benefits of having a diverse campus and uses NSSE results to support its statement.

For some, helicopter parenting delivers benefits

The Boston Globe (March/2009)

This article talks about the parents/child relationships and the academic benefits of "helicopter parents". The article quotes Jillian Kinzie several times.

College 101 - Plan That Road Trip: It’s time to start visiting colleges

The Stonington Times (February/2009)

The article talks about the questions high school students should ask when visiting colleges. The article draws from the NSSE survey to support its arguement.

Cut-rate campus

Boston Globe (February/2009)

This article discusses financial stress for commuter students in college. The article quotes Bob Gonyea from the Center for Postsecondary Research.

Students juggle school and work to pay bills

Daily Skiff (February/2009)

The article brings attention to the balance of working and attending school full time. The article quotes George Kuh, director of Indiana University's Center for Postsecondary Research, stating while students ideally shouldn't be required to have a job in college, on-campus or off-campus employment can benefit them in the long run.

Alarming advising

RedandBlack.com (January/2009)

The article addresses comments written by students on NSSE regarding advising at UGA.

As Talk About Retention Rises, Rates Drop

Inside Higher Ed (January/2009)

Colleges have paid more and more attention to what they do to retain the students they have, from instituting better educational practices such as learning communities to strengthening advising. By at least one measure, those efforts may not be working. Data released Thursday by ACT, Inc., show that the proportion of first year students who returned to their colleges as sophomores in 2007-8-65.7 percent — dropped to the lowest level in the 25 years the organization has been collecting the information. George D. Kuh, Chancellor’s Professor of Higher Education and director of the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University at Bloomington, said he was heartened — looking at “glass half full” — by the fact that the retention rates had generally held steady even as so many more students, many of them academically underprepared, flowed into higher education. “In terms of raw numbers, there are many more students” — millions more, arguably — “persisting in higher education today than in 1988,” he said.

Assessing Assessment

Inside Higher Ed (January/2009)

An announcement was made at the AAC&U meeting to create the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment. The institute is attempting to gather information from every college about assessment practices in place in order to produce a national picture of the state of the efforts to measure student learning. Then the institute plans to conduct research on what colleges tell the public about assessment, to study which practices are most successful, and to produce case studies of how assessment works (or doesn’t) in certain situations.

Survey: Politics, money concern college freshmen

KansasCity.com (January/2009)

This article highlights finds that from a survey that show that students are politically engaged and concerned about money. College students who have to work during school are not necessarily at a disadvantage, noted George Kuh, director of Indiana University's Center for Postsecondary Research. The National Survey of Student Engagement, has found students' college experience usually isn't hurt by part-time jobs - particularly if they work on campus. However, working more than around 25-30 hours per week can be harmful.

It’s Time to End ‘Courseocentrism’

Inside Higher Ed (January/2009)

This article introduces the concept 'Coursecentrism'. This term refers to academia lack of attention towards teaching practices. This article mentions NSSE as a way to examine teaching practices.

National organization honors National Survey of Student Engagement

IU News Room (January/2009)

The National Consortium for Continuous Improvement in Higher Education (NCCI) has recognized the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) -- a part of the Indiana University School of Education -- with an Honorable Mention in its 2009 Leveraging Excellence Awards.

Good grades the norm at the U, but do they come too easily?

TwinCities.com (January/2009)

This article discussses grade inflation in college. Education observers say that top-heavy grading highlights a growing tendency at colleges across the nation to trade good education for the higher scores that attract better students and alumni support. The article quotes George Kuh, stating a shrinking spread in distribution between the top third and the bottom third indicates grade inflation. It's not so much the high end. It's the lack of a low end.

A Call for Assessment — of the Right Kind

Inside Higher Ed (January/2009)

This article about accountability highlights NSSE. As the intensity of discussion and conflict about higher education accountability and assessment of student learning have grown in recent years, the Association of American Colleges and Universities has often sought to play a neutral role.