National Survey of Student Engagement 2001 UW-Madison Results and Highlights

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• Introduction-What is NSSE? 

• UW-Madison Overview of Key Results 

• UW-Madison NSSE 2001 Results for All Survey Questions 

• UW-Madison NSSE 2001 Summary Report (pdf printable version)

Introduction-What is NSSE? 

The National Survey of Student Engagement, referred to as NSSE, is a survey of college freshmen and seniors designed to assess how involved students are in practices associated with high levels of learning.  This initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts and Carnegie Foundation was piloted in 1999 and conducted as a full survey in 2000 and subsequent years.  A total of 461 colleges and universities participated in 2000 and 2001.  The survey is based at Indiana University under the direction of George Kuh.

The survey is intended to be useful for institutional improvement and for public accountability.  Because it is a national survey it provides comparison information of institutions.  Questions fall into three broad categories.  1.Institutional actions and requirements: specific items about curriculum (research projects, writing, reading).  2. Student behavior: time spent in/out of class doing various things.  3.Student reactions to college: students' perceptions of quality of own experiences. 

Why did UW-Madison participate in NSSE 2001?   

UW System institutions participated in NSSE 2001 as a way to gather information and data for the annual accountability report (“Achieving Excellence”). UW-Madison was interested because of NSSE provides data for making comparisons with other institutions.  UW-Madison participated in a consortium of other universities who are also members of the American Association of Universities (the AAUDE consortium).  One benefit of the consortium was that 20 additional questions on topics not well covered by the core NSSE survey, for example, advising and course availability, were covered in the supplemental AAUDE consortium questionnaire.   

 How was the survey administered?

Administration of the survey follows protocols specified by NSSE.  In Fall 2000 UW-Madison sent NSSE a data file that contained contact information for all first year students and seniors.  We also sent NSSE UW-Madison provost’s office letterhead, which NSSE used in the distribution of the surveys in Spring 2001.  To recipients it appeared that the survey came from the UW-Madison provost’s office.  The survey cover letter included a name and number of a contact person for students to contact with questions.  NSSE drew a random sample of 1000 students (500 first-year students and 500 seniors) and sent them a paper survey and also 2 follow-up letters to non-responders.  Some institutions offered incentives or extra appeals to boost response rates – UW-Madison did not. 

The UW-Madison response rate was 55% -- 266 freshmen and 286 seniors responded.  This compares favorably with a 41% response rate among the AAUDE consortium and for Research/Doctoral Extensive universities.  

How do the demographics of our respondents compare with the demographics of our students?

In general, the demographics of respondents are similar to the demographics of UW-Madison students.  One exception is gender - 61% of respondents are female compared with 53% female students. 

UW-Madison Overview of Key Results
(printable pdf version)

Skills and Knowledge.  UW-Madison students report that their educational experience has added to their ability to work effectively on their own, to think critically, analytically, and quantitatively, and to work effectively with others.  More than ninety percent of seniors have acquired skills in writing, public speaking, working with others, computer technology, and knowledge and skills that will apply to the world or work while UW-Madison students.  

Classroom Experiences.  Students agree that classroom learning includes a variety of experiences and activities.  In a given academic year, almost all students worked on projects that integrated ideas from different sources, contributed to classroom discussions, and discussed the ideas they learned in the classrooms with others outside of class.  Seventy-five percent of first-year students made presentations in class and that increased to 91 % for seniors. 

Course Work.  The variety of classroom activities contributes to a rich class experience.  Students agree that course work emphasizes both basic content and higher-order judgment and reasoning skills.

Interaction with Faculty.  UW-Madison students have a variety of experiences with faculty.  Almost all students have discussed assignments, grades, and academic performance with faculty.  All seniors are using email to communicate with their instructors.  Three quarters of student agree that faculty are available and helpful.   Forty percent of seniors worked with a faculty member on activities other than coursework in the year of the survey, and 24 % of seniors worked on research projects in beyond what are required for their course or program requirements.

Out-of-Classroom and Enrichment Activities.   Students participate in a wide range of academic activities beyond the classroom.   More than three quarters of senior have done or intend to participate in a practicum, internship, field experience, or co-op education.  Seventy-nine percent of seniors have done or plan to do community service or volunteer work. 

Time use.  Students are also involved in co-curricular and extra curricular activities.  Forty-six percent of seniors work for pay off campus and 45 % work for pay on campus.  The universal activities of our students are preparing for class and socializing – all students report at least some time in these activities each week.  

(printable pdf version of the results summary)

[Academic Planning and Analysis]  [UW-Madison Provost's Office] 
Updated  December 19, 2001, Jocelyn Milner

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