1. Responding to Calls for Greater Accountability SHEEO-NCES Network Conference April 17, 2008 Christine M. Keller NASULGC The VSA Project

2. Commission on the Future of Higher Education “Lack of useful data and accountability hinder policymakers and the public from making informed decisions and prevents higher education from demonstrating its contribution to the public good.” (Final report – September 2006)

3. The Voluntary System of Accountability (VSA SM ) Demonstrate accountability and stewardship to public Demonstrate accountability and stewardship to public Assemble information that is transparent, comparable, and understandable Assemble information that is transparent, comparable, and understandable Measure educational outcomes to identify and enhance effective educational practices Measure educational outcomes to identify and enhance effective educational practices

4. AASCU & NASULGC Partnership Represent over 525 public, 4-year institutions Represent over 525 public, 4-year institutions Enroll 7.5 million students annually Enroll 7.5 million students annually Award 70% of bachelor’s degrees in U.S. each year Award 70% of bachelor’s degrees in U.S. each year

5. Development of VSA Lumina Foundation Grants Lumina Foundation Grants Higher Education Community Higher Education Community – 7 Committees –20 Meetings –70 Public Institutions –82 Committee Members

6. College Portrait 5-page web reporting template 5-page web reporting template Standard, comparable format Standard, comparable format Most elements compiled from currently available data sources Most elements compiled from currently available data sources Selected data elements based on focus groups, higher education community, research Selected data elements based on focus groups, higher education community, research

7. Audience Students and families Students and families Public Public Policymakers, legislators Policymakers, legislators Accreditors, institution and state boards Accreditors, institution and state boards Campus faculty and staff Campus faculty and staff

8. College Portrait Components Consumer Information Consumer Information Student Experiences and Perceptions Student Experiences and Perceptions Student Learning Outcomes Student Learning Outcomes

9. Consumer Information Student and Institutional characteristics Student and Institutional characteristics Success and Progress rate Success and Progress rate Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid College Cost Calculator College Cost Calculator Post Graduation plans Post Graduation plans Timeline: 3 months to 1 year Timeline: 3 months to 1 year

10. Student Experiences & Perceptions Institution-specific assessments and national student surveys Institution-specific assessments and national student surveys Choose from four surveys: CSEQ, CSS (CIRP), NSSE, UCUES Choose from four surveys: CSEQ, CSS (CIRP), NSSE, UCUES Survey responses reported for VSA- selected questions under six common constructs Survey responses reported for VSA- selected questions under six common constructs Timeline: within 2 years Timeline: within 2 years

11. Student Learning Outcomes Institution-specific assessments and educational outcomes Institution-specific assessments and educational outcomes Pilot project to measure learning gains in critical thinking, analytic reasoning, written communication at institution level Pilot project to measure learning gains in critical thinking, analytic reasoning, written communication at institution level Choose from three instruments: CAAP, CLA, MAPP Choose from three instruments: CAAP, CLA, MAPP Timeline: within 4 years Timeline: within 4 years

12. VSA Update 234 universities registered from 45 states/territories (4/14/08) 234 universities registered from 45 states/territories (4/14/08) Public launch in 3 to 4 months Public launch in 3 to 4 months Accessible version under development Accessible version under development VSA Oversight Board established to guide future direction VSA Oversight Board established to guide future direction

13. FIPSE Grant $2.4 million grant shared by NASULGC, AASCU, AAC&U $2.4 million grant shared by NASULGC, AASCU, AAC&U Research on student learning assessment Research on student learning assessment Three areas of focus Three areas of focus –Comparison of VSA measurement tools –Measurement of student growth –Development of e-portfolio framework

14. More Information? Website: www.voluntarysystem.org Christine Keller VSA Executive Director ckeller@nasulgc.org