For each of our six student learning outcomes, below you will find a rubric that identifies dimensions of the outcome and describes various levels of student proficiency. Following the rubric is an explanation of the data that will be used to measure performance over a decennial institutional assessment cycle.

Note: Many items in the rubrics below were influenced by or excerpted with permission from Assessing Outcomes and Improving Achievement: Tips and tools for Using Rubrics, edited by Terrel L. Rhodes. Copyright 2010 by the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

Learning Outcome 1: Carleton College graduates should be able to demonstrate that they have acquired knowledge necessary for the continuing study of the worlds peoples, arts, environments, literatures, sciences and institutions (i.e. learning to learn)

Outcome 1 Rubric Planned evidence:

  • Research Practices Survey (direct, national measure)
  • Application by faculty and staff of Outcome 1 rubric to focus groups or interviews with students about co-curricular experience (indirect, local measure)
  • Academic Experiences Survey (Galotti)
  • CARS support survey (indirect, local measure)
  • Student survey data (indirect, national measures)
  • Transcript analysis of course taking (indirect, local measure)

Learning Outcome 2: Carleton College graduates should be able to demonstrate substantial knowledge of a field of study and the modes of inquiry or methodologies pertinent to that field

This learning outcome is achieved through our majors and programs and so will be assessed primarily through individual department/program assessment. Every five years the Dean’s Office will provide the ECC with a summary of the individual department and program reports that identifies themes across departments/programs. This information will be coupled with alumni data related to graduate school and employment results related to this outcome. The report will include recommendations for any institution-wide changes that may be relevant to cross-cutting patterns.

Learning Outcome 3: Carleton College graduates should be able to analyze evidence

Outcome 3 Rubric Planned evidence:

  • QuIRK portfolio assessment (direct, local measure)
  • Application by faculty comps advisors of Outcome 3 rubric to comps work (direct, local measure)
  • Application by faculty and staff of Outcome 3 rubric to work from first-year seminars (direct, local measure)
  • Application by faculty and staff of Outcome 3 rubric to focus groups or interviews with students about co-curricular experience (indirect, local measure)
  • Librarians information literacy portfolio assessment (direct, local measure)
  • Research Practices Survey (direct, national measure)
  • Collegiate Learning Assessment (direct, national measure)
  • Student survey data (indirect, national measures)

Learning Outcome 4: Carleton College graduates should be able to formulate and solve problems

Outcome 4 Rubric Planned evidence:

  • Application by faculty of Outcome 4 rubric to work from A&I Seminars (first-year seminars) (direct, local measure)
  • Application by faculty comps advisors of Outcome 4 rubric to comps work (direct, local measure)
  • Collegiate Learning Assessment (direct, national measure)
  • Student survey data (indirect, national measures)

Learning Outcome 5: Carleton College graduates should be able to communicate and argue effectively

Outcome 5 Rubric Planned evidence:

  • Sophomore writing portfolio data (direct, local measure)
  • Application by faculty and staff of Outcome 5 rubric to work collected from first-year seminars (direct, local measure)
  • Application by faculty comps advisers of Outcome 5 rubric to comps work (direct, local measure)
  • Collegiate Learning Assessment (direct, national measure)
  • Student survey data (indirect, national measures)

Learning Outcome 6: In their chosen field of study Carleton College graduates should be able to conduct disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary research and/or undertake independent work which may include artistic creation or production

Outcome 6 Rubric Planned evidence:

  • Application by faculty comps advisers of Outcome 6 rubric to comps work (direct, local measure)

Links to assessment instruments named above