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General Education Assessment 

General Education Assessment

Through Spring 2020, Cedarville assessed its General Education program using the Portrait Statements and selected courses that are a required part of the General Education curriculum. At the recommendation of the General Education Assessment Committee, several initiatives have been identified to assess the new General Education outcomes. The committee developed performance indicators for each outcome. The committee has also recommended specific assessment instruments and methods for each performance indicator.

Going forward, Cedarville will be transitioning from the use of our former method to standardized exams and peer-reviewed, normed rubrics.  Cedarville University is developing assessments of its General Education Program outcomes using several performance indicators. 

Learning Outcome 1: Explain what it means to glorify God in all areas of life.

  1. Demonstrate skill in studying the Bible
    1. Method: Assignments within the Bible minor
  2. Apply what the Scriptures teach regarding worship of and devotion to God
    1. Method: Assignments within the Bible minor
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the biblical basis for Christian stewardship of the body
    1. Assignments within the required Physical Activity and Healthy Living course
  4. Recognize the implications of living in the world that has been created by God
    1. Assignments within the General Biology course

Learning Outcome 2: Think critically within and across disciplines.

Method: California Critical Thinking Skills Test administered to freshmen sample in fall of each year and to senior sample in spring of each year.

  1. Identify and analyze assumptions, evidence, and information that are used in the formation of an argument or claim.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to infer logically valid conclusions from evidence, reasons, and information from various sources.
  3. Critique and/or justify arguments or claims based on the assumptions, evidence, reasons and information upon which the arguments or claims are based.
  4. Identify and use deductive and inductive reasoning in constructing and assessing arguments and claims.

Learning Outcome 3: Communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing.

Method: VALUE rubric from AAC&U used to evaluate assignments for speaking performance indicators.

Speaking Performance Indicators :

  1. Speaking on one’s feet
  2. Establishing and maintaining context
  3. Verbal expression
  4. Effective delivery
  5. Appropriate conventions
  6. Purposeful structure
  7. Support for a position/development of an idea
  8. Creation and use of multi-media
  9. Original and appropriate context

Method: TBD

Writing Performance Indicators:

  1. Context and purpose for writing
  2. Organization and structure
  3. Critical thought and appropriate support
  4. Language
  5. Observation of standards edited English

Learning Outcome 4: Demonstrate competence in academic endeavors as a foundation for further academic or professional work.

  1. Global Awareness: Demonstrate knowledge of global perspectives and issues
    1. Method: Global Competence Aptitude Assessment administered to a sample of freshmen and a sample of seniors each fall semester.
  2. Information Literacy: Demonstrate a responsible use of information
    1. Method: NSSE Information Literacy Module survey results
  3. Quantitative Literacy: Solve quantitative problems from/within different context
    1. Method: TBD.  Possibly assignments within GMTH-1020
  4. Reading: Demonstrate the ability to read, analyze, and interpret literary texts
    1. Method: Literary Analysis survey administered in LIT-2xxx
  5. Science: Describe the aim and nature of science and interrogate the nature of science from a Christian worldview
    1. Method: TBD
  6. Humanities: Demonstrate integrated knowledge of the fine arts and their relationship to culture
    1. Method: Essay #3 assignment in HUM-1400
  7. Social Science: TBD

Learning Outcome 5: Explain the believer’s role in church and society

  1. Develop a biblically defined theology of the church
    1. Method: Assignments within Bible minor
  2. Prioritize a lifestyle of engagement in the local church
    1. Method: Assignments within Bible minor
  3. Develop a coherent idea of Christian citizenship
    1. Method: Pre- and Post-test of Civics Proficiency Exam within GSS-1100