Virginia Western Community College’s (VWCC) general education success is measured using artifact-based direct assessment and survey-based indirect assessment.
As mandated by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), six general education competencies are measured in accordance with the VWCC General Education Assessment Plan.
VWCC measures the following six general education competencies:
- Critical Thinking
- Scientific Literacy
- Professional Readiness
- Civic Engagement
- Quantitative Literacy
- Written Communication
Critical Thinking
A complete report for Critical Thinking can be found here. (PDF)
Definition: Critical thinking is the ability to use information, ideas, and arguments from relevant perspectives to make sense of complex issues and solve problems.
Threshold of Acceptability: 70% of examined artifacts will earn a score of “Good” or “Excellent” when assessed with the critical thinking rubric.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2020, 62% of artifacts earned a score an “Excellent” or “Good.” This does not meet the threshold of acceptability.
Action Plan: Critical Thinking was measured during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the next assessment period, we will assess more students from a broader selection of classes that range the entirety of schools within the College.
Scientific Literacy
A complete report for Scientific Literacy can be found here. (PDF)
Definition: Scientific literacy is the ability to apply the scientific method and related concepts and principles to make informed decisions and engage with issues related to the natural, physical, and social world.
Threshold of Acceptability: 70% of examined artifacts will earn a score of “Good” or “Excellent” when assessed with the scientific literacy rubric.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2020, 59% of artifacts earned a score an “Excellent” or “Good.” This does not meet the threshold of acceptability.
Action Plan: Scientific Literacy was measured during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the next assessment period, we will assess more students from a broader selection of classes that range the entirety of schools within the College.
Professional Readiness
A complete report for Professional Readiness can be found here. (DOCX)
Definition: Professional readiness is the ability to work well with others and display situationally and culturally appropriate demeanor and behavior.
Direct Assessment
Goal: Students will have an average score of 3.00 or better when assessed via the professional readiness rubric. The maximum score is 4.00.
Threshold of Acceptability: 75% of students will earn a score of 2.00 or better on the artifact-based professional readiness assessment. Additionally, students will have an average score of 2.00 or better.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2021, 92.1% of students scored 2.00 or better; this meets the threshold of acceptability. With an average score of 3.19, the goal of 3.00 was also met.
Indirect Assessment 1: Graduation Survey
Goal: 75% of respondents will rate their satisfaction with their professional readiness education as a 4.00 or better. The maximum score is 5.00.
Threshold of Acceptability: 85% of respondents would rate their satisfaction with their professional readiness education as a 3.00 or better.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2022, 100.0% of graduates rated their satisfaction with their professional readiness education as 3.00 or better; this meets the threshold of acceptability. With an average score of 4.43, this also meets the goal.
Indirect Assessment 2: Alumni Survey
Goal: 75% of respondents will rate their satisfaction with their professional readiness education as a 4.00 or better. The maximum score is 5.00.
Threshold of Acceptability: 85% of respondents would rate their satisfaction with their professional readiness education as a 3.00 or better.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2022, 97.0% of alumni rated their satisfaction with their professional readiness education as 3.00 or better; this meets the threshold of acceptability. With an average score of 4.25, this also meets the goal.
Civic Engagement
A complete report for Civic Engagement can be found here. (DOCX)
Definition: Civic engagement is the ability to contribute to the civic life and well-being of local, national, and global communities as both a social responsibility and a life-long learning process.
Direct Assessment
Goal: Students will have an average score of 3.00 or better when assessed via the civic engagement rubric. The maximum score is 4.00.
Threshold of Acceptability: 75% of students will earn a score of 2.00 or better on the artifact-based civic engagement assessment. Additionally, students will have an average score of 2.00 or better.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2021, 78.7% of students scored 2.00 or better; this meets the threshold of acceptability. With an average score of 3.06, the goal of 3.00 was also met.
Indirect Assessment 1: Voting Rates
Goal: 60% of eligible Virginia Western students will vote in the 2020 national elections.
Threshold of Acceptability: 50% of eligible Virginia Western students will vote in the 2020 national elections.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2020, 68.2% of eligible Virginia Western students voted in the national elections. This met the 60% goal.
Indirect Assessment 2: Graduation Survey
Goal: 75% of respondents will rate their satisfaction with their civic engagement education as a 4.00 or better. The maximum score is 5.00.
Threshold of Acceptability: 85% of respondents would rate their satisfaction with their civic engagement education as a 3.00 or better.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2022, 100.0% of graduates rated their satisfaction with their civic engagement education as 3.00 or better; this meets the threshold of acceptability. With an average score of 4.25, this also meets the goal.
Indirect Assessment 3: Alumni Survey
Goal: 75% of respondents will rate their satisfaction with their civic engagement education as a 4.00 or better. The maximum score is 5.00.
Threshold of Acceptability: 85% of respondents would rate their satisfaction with their civic engagement education as a 3.00 or better.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2022, 97.0% of alumni rated their satisfaction with their civic engagement education as 3.00 or better; this meets the threshold of acceptability. With an average score of 4.08, this also meets the goal.
Quantitative Literacy
A complete report for Quantitative Literacy can be found here (PDF).
Definition: Quantitative literacy is the ability to perform accurate calculations, interpret quantitative information, apply and analyze relevant numerical data, and use results to support conclusions.
Threshold of Acceptability: 70% of examined artifacts will earn a score of “Good” or “Excellent” when assessed with the quantitative literacy rubric.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2019, 62% of artifacts earned a score an “Excellent” or “Good.” This does not meet the threshold of acceptability.
Action Plan: For students that are struggling, we offer the STEM tutoring center, which is a walk-in center with no appointment needed. We have recently added Brainfuse 24/7 online tutoring support.
Written Communication
A complete report for Written Communication can be found here. (PDF)
Definition: Written communication is the ability to develop, convey, and exchange ideas in writing, as appropriate to a given context and audience. Degree-seeking students (AA, AS, AAS) will express themselves effectively in a variety of written forms.
Threshold of Acceptability: 70% of examined artifacts will earn a score of “Good” or “Excellent” when assessed with the written communication rubric.
Results:
Conclusion: In 2019, 63% of artifacts earned a score an “Excellent” or “Good.” This does not meet the threshold of acceptability.
Action Plan: A group of English faculty and the Reference & Instruction Librarian co-authored an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook to be used in introductory English courses. The book was adopted by the entire department in Fall 2018, and focuses heavily on critical reading, conducting academic research, using outside sources ethically, and citation practices. The faculty and librarian continue to maintain a close partnership and VWCC offers a walk-in writing center that is free to students with no appointment required and has recently adopted Brainfuse 24/7 online tutoring support, which is also free to students.
This page was updated June 1, 2022.