Student Learning Outcomes Assessment and Student Success

What is the distinction between student learning outcomes assessment and student success measures? Aren't they the same thing?

Student learning outcomes assessment and student success measures are both ways to evaluate the effectiveness of education, but they focus on different aspects of the student experience and educational impact. Learning outcomes assessment should support student success by applying assessment information to the improvement of curriculum and instruction. Here’s how they differ:


Student Learning Outcomes Assessment

  • Focus: Measures what students know, can do, or value at the end of a learning experience (e.g., course, program). Aligns with program-level and course-level learning outcomes that define what students should be able to do by the end of a program or course.
  • Purpose: Evaluates the degree to which students have achieved specific educational goals or competencies. Assessment provides data and insights to help faculty and administrators improve curriculum, instruction, and support services.
  • Scope: Tied directly to course objectives, program outcomes, or institutional goals.
  • Examples:
    • Examining students’ proficiency in writing, critical thinking, or problem-solving
    • Using rubrics to assess mastery of specific skills or knowledge.
    • Pre- and post-tests, assignments, or capstone projects that measure specific learning goals
  • Usage: Informs curriculum improvement, teaching practices, and instructional design to enhance learning.

Student Success Measures

  • Focus: Focuses on supporting students’ overall well-being, engagement, and progression towards degree completion and post-graduation goals. Encompasses a broad range of programs, services, and interventions that address students’ academic, social, financial, and personal needs.
  • Purpose: Evaluates the overall success and well-being of students in terms of their ability to persist in, complete, and thrive during their educational experience. Aims to improve student retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes, such as employment and graduate school enrollment.
  • Scope: Often institution-wide and can encompass many factors, including academic and non-academic outcomes.
  • Examples:
    • Retention rates (the percentage of students who return to continue their studies).
    • Graduation rates.
    • Job placement after graduation.
    • Time to degree completion.
    • Student engagement, satisfaction, or well-being surveys.
  • Usage: Helps institutions identify factors affecting retention and completion, shaping policies to improve student support, advising, or resource allocation.

Key Differences:

  • Learning outcomes assessment focuses on measuring and improving student learning, while student success initiatives focus on supporting students’ overall well-being and progression.
  • Learning outcomes assessment is primarily concerned with academic achievement, while student success initiatives address a broader range of factors that contribute to students staying enrolled and completing their degree.
  • Data from learning outcomes assessment informs curriculum and instructional improvements, while student success initiatives rely on various data sources to identify and address barriers to student success.

In summary, student learning outcomes assessments evaluate what students have learned, while student success measures track how well students are progressing and thriving in their educational journey. Student learning outcomes assessment and student success initiatives are complementary but distinct components of a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of higher education and supporting student achievement. Both are essential for fostering student learning, engagement, and long-term success.

At CSU Fort Collins, "Student Success is a campus-wide set of evolving initiatives designed to create equitable educational environments resulting in increased graduation rates and the elimination of opportunity gaps."

Learn more about the CSU Student Success Initiative at https://studentsuccess.colostate.edu/

Data supporting CSU’s student success initiative are available from the Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness.


Content for this page was initially generated through ChatGPT-4 and Claude.ai. Content was edited and enhanced by the human author.