Focus Areas

Teaching and Learning

At the heart of the higher education enterprise, teaching and learning is the mechanism through which colleges ensure that students are prepared for democratic engagement, to make community contributions, and to secure a rewarding and fulfilling career. Yet, according to a Strada-Gallup survey, only 42 percent of college graduates nationally strongly agree that they were challenged academically at their institution. This focus area emphasizes the need for continuous improvement in faculty professional development, instructional methods, curriculum design, and student engagement strategies. By fostering a culture of excellence in teaching, institutions can enhance the overall learning experience, leading to higher retention and graduation rates, as well as students’ preparedness for success in the workplace and further higher education.

About our Assessment Tools

The collection of assessment tools allows colleges and their leaders to see how their practices align with the strong institutional practices our research shows lead to high and equitable levels of student success. The results will allow colleges to see big-picture areas where they may need to invest additional strategic effort, in addition to identifying strengths and weaknesses in particular practices. See below for a full list of our assessment tools, including those that are available for open access use.

Measures of Student Success