California State University, Long Beach

Student experiences and perceptions

Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.

Examples of how Cal State Long Beach evaluates the experiences of its students can be found on our Student assessment page.

Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from a selected survey are reported for a common set of statements selected for the Voluntary System of Accountability (VSA). Following are selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together according to factors that have been known to contribute to student learning and development. Results for senior respondents are reported below.

Information on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) can be found on the National Survey page.

Group learning experiences

• 92.38% of seniors worked with classmates on a group project.
• 48.65% of seniors tutored or taught other students.
• 14.35% of seniors spend at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports.

Active learning experiences

• 91.7% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year.
• 80.27% of seniors spend at least 6 hours per week preparing for class.
• 6.73% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member.
• 32.74% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience.
• 8.74% of seniors participated in study abroad.
• 42.83% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work.

Experiences with diverse groups of people and ideas

• 95.97% of seniors report that they often try to understand someone else’s point of view.
• 89.24% of seniors report their experience at CSULB contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• 88.79% of seniors often have serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity.

Student satisfaction

• 81.62% of seniors would attend CSULB if they started over again.
• 84.3% of seniors rate their entire educational experience as good or excellent.
• 76.45% of seniors report that other students are friendly or supportive.

Institutional commitment to student learning and success

• 94.62% of seniors believe CSULB provides support for student success.
• 63.45% of seniors rate the quality of academic advising at CSULB as good or excellent.
• 56.73% of seniors report that CSULB provides help in coping with work, family and other responsibilities.
• 93.5% of seniors report working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor’s standards or expectations.

Student interaction with campus faculty and staff

• 44.39% of seniors believe that the campus staff are helpful, considerate, or flexible.
• 66.81% of seniors believe that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic.
• 88.12% of seniors report that faculty members provide prompt feedback on their academic performance.
• 95.96% of seniors discuss readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class.

Student learning outcomes

All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated. In addition, those institutions participating in the VSA measure increases in critical thinking, analytic reasoning, and written communication using one of three tests.

Student Learning Assessment at CSULB

The campus supports the assessment of student learning as an integral part of its core commitment to graduate students with highly valued degrees. Assessment at CSULB is overseen by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies and coordinated by the Director of Program Review and Assessment. Responsibility for determining student learning outcomes, developing and implementing assessment plans, and using the results of assessment for program improvement has been delegated to the colleges. Each college has an assessment coordinator and each college receives funding for assessment form the Division of Academic Affairs.

Information regarding student learning assessment at Cal State Long Beach can be found on our Program Assessment page.

Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes

Cal State Long Beach facilitated its first administration of the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) during September and October 2007. Results will be posted to this site as soon as they become available.

Information regarding the Collegiate Learning Assessment can be found on the Council for Aid to Education CLA page

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