Non-cognitive Assessment in Higher Education

Sedlacek: Non-Cognitive Variables

*Self-Concept

*Realistic Self-Appraisal

*Handling System/Racism

*Long-Range Goals

*Leadership

*Strong Support Person

*Community

*Nontraditional Learning

1.Positive Self-Concept: Demonstrates confidence, strength of character, determination, and independence.

2.Realistic Self-Appraisal: Recognizes and accepts any strengths and deficiencies, especially academic, and works hard at self-development. Recognizes need to broaden his/her individuality.

3.Understands and Knows How to Navigate the System: Exhibits a realistic view of the system based upon personal experience. Committed to improving the existing system. Takes an assertive approach to dealing with existing wrongs, but is not hostile to society, nor is a "cop-out."

4.Prefers Long-Range to Short-Term or Immediate Needs: Able to respond to deferred gratification, plans ahead and sets goals.

5.Availability of Strong Support Person: Seeks and takes advantage of a strong support network or has someone to turn to in a crisis or for encouragement.

6.Successful Leadership Experience: Demonstrates strong leadership in any area of his/her background (e.g. church, sports, non-educational groups, gang leader, etc.).

7.Community Service: Participates and is involved in his/her community.

8.Knowledge Acquired in or about a Field: Acquires knowledge in a sustained and/or culturally-related ways in any field. 

Questionnaire

*Three multiple choice questions

*Race

*Expected College Education

*Most likely cause of leaving before receiving a degree

*Three open-ended questions

*List three goals

*List three things you’re proud of

*List offices held and/or groups belonged to in high school or your community

Questionnaire

*18 statements to be ranked

*Strongly agree

*Agree

*Neutral

*Disagree

*Strongly Disagree

Scoring Questionnaires

*Scoring key provided for multiple choice questions and ranked statements

*Scheme provided for scoring open-ended questions

*Directions on how to establish interrater reliability

*Scoring norms provided

Gates Millennium Scholars

Noncognitive Outcomes

• Over 15,000 Scholars funded •Freshman retention 97%; sophomore 95%

•5 year program retention rate 92%

•5 year graduation rate 79% (53% all 4yr schools)

•6 year graduation rate 90% (57% all 4yr schools)

•Scholar higher education GPA mean = 3.25

UNLV Results

2009 cohort 2010 cohort 2011 cohort65

70

75

80

85

90

95

UNLV Total

Success Coached

DePaul University

Leadership scores are a significant predictor for first-year GPA, first-year credits earned, first-year success, first- to second-year retention, second- to third-year retention and second-year academic success*.

Total scores are predictive of first-year GPA, first-year retention, second-year retention and second-year academic success

Knowledge Acquired in a Field contributes to the prediction of first-year success and second-year success.

Washington State Achievers University of Northern ColoradoWashington DC Achievers Texas A & M UniversityCapital Partners for Education Louisiana State UniversityWashington State University Pullman Boston CollegeWashington State University Vancouver LeHigh UniversityUniv. British Columbia Business School University of MichiganBowling Green State University Prairie View A & M UniversityMontgomery College University of ArizonaEngineering Vanguard Program (NACME) US Coast Guard AcademyUniversity of Central Missouri Nagoya UniversityDePaul University, Illinois Samuel Merritt UniversityEastern Washington University Douglas Cty Performance Lrng Ctr Colorado State University-pending Indiana State UniversityLinn-Benton Community College, Oregon University of Washington TacomaCentral Oregon Community College University of British ColumbiaLinfield College, Oregon Manchester College, Indiana Oregon Coast Community College Northwestern College, IowaUniversity of Nevada Las Vegas George Fox University, Oregon Oregon State University