National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

Results from the 2009 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) confirm that Earlham is effectively engaging its students in active learning. The NSSE assessment, developed with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2001, asks first-year and senior students to report what they actually do while they are in college and focuses on the processes of learning.

Unlike other popular ranking systems that tend to take stock of an institution’s resources (whether financial, instructional or student-talent based), NSSE focuses on what really matters in college: student engagement. “The research is unequivocal: students who are actively involved in both academic and out-of-class activities gain more from the college experience than those who are not as involved” (Pascarella and Terenzini, How College Affects Students, 1991).

Earlham’s President Douglas C. Bennett has served as a member of the NSSE National Advisory Board since its inception. “What is most impressive about NSSE,” says Bennett, “is that each individual question in the survey has been tested over many years and has been shown to have a direct and significant correlation with student learning.”

The 2009 NSSE data includes responses from 64 percent of Earlham’s first-years and seniors. In all, the survey comprises a far-reaching national sample with responses from more than 316,000 students at 610 colleges and universities.

• What Students Are Saying About Their Earlham Experience (pdf download)

NSSE Benchmark Data

NSSE results reflect the collegiate experience in five “benchmark” areas of learning. In all five benchmarks Earlham first-year (FY) and senior (SR) respondents scored above students participating in the national sample.

Level of Academic Challenge — class preparation; number of readings and written papers; emphasis on organization, judgments, applications of theories; challenging expectations; campus environment emphasizing academics.
Active and Collaborative Learning — asked questions in class, made a class presentation, participated in group and community-based projects, tutored other students, discussed ideas from class outside of class.
Student-Faculty Interactions — discussed assignments, career plans or ideas from classes with a faculty member; worked with faculty on a research project or on activities other than coursework, received prompt academic feedback from faculty.
Enriching Educational Experiences — participated in: co-curricular activities; an internship or field experience; community service or volunteer work; foreign language study or study abroad; an independent study; a culminating senior experience. Used electronic technology academically; senses college encouragement for contact among diverse students.
Supportive Campus Environment — provided support for: academic success, coping with non-academic responsibilities, social interactions. Encouraged relationships with students, faculty members, administrators and offices.

National Survey of Student Engagement, Indiana University for Postsecondary Research, Bloomington, Indiana, 2009.

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This page last updated: September 21, 2009