BGSU receives CHEA Award for learning outcomes

BOWLING GREEN, O.—The Council for Higher Education Accreditation has announced that Bowling Green State University has been chosen to receive the 2007 CHEA Award for Institutional Progress in Student Learning Outcomes.

“Given the current debate regarding the role of student learning outcomes in accreditation, Bowling Green State University serves as a solid example of the enormous progress that institutions are making through the implementation of comprehensive, thoughtful and effective initiatives. We are delighted to recognize this distinguished institution with this award,” CHEA President Judith Eaton said in a news release announcing the recognition.

BGSU is one of only five institutions in a nationwide pool of 31 selected for the honor. Other winners are Mesa Community College in Mesa, Ariz., Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terra Haute, Ind., and the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan.

The awards will be presented to representatives of the five institutions on Jan. 31 during the 2007 CHEA Annual Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

When educators talk about “student learning outcomes,” they're talking about “what students know and what they can do with that knowledge,” according to Dr. Milt Hakel, a BGSU professor and Ohio Eminent Scholar in psychology who has been heavily involved in the University's efforts to measure student success over the past decade. Those “outcomes” include problem solving, oral and written skills, teamwork and leadership skills, among others.

Hakel called the CHEA Award “a rare honor” in light of the nation's having some 3,000 institutions of higher learning.

Institutions were judged on the basis of four criteria: articulation and evidence of student learning outcomes; successful outcomes; informing the public about outcomes, and using outcomes for improvement.

In addition, CHEA noted that BGSU showed outstanding achievement in:

• Attention to outcomes embedded in an institutional culture
• Good use of current technology in the methods and tools to track outcomes
• The extensive use of faculty and strong faculty support
• Institutional leadership that is dedicated to the importance of outcomes
• Approaches to outcomes that can be replicated at other institutions.

“It is gratifying to be recognized nationally for the emphasis we place on student success and measuring how well our students are learning the skills and knowledge they truly need,” said BGSU President Sidney Ribeau.

Founded in 1996, the CHEA is an organization of nearly 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities. CHEA scrutinizes accrediting organizations for quality, based on self-created standards, and serves as an advocate to government on accreditation issues. The association also hosts numerous conferences and produces publications on matters relating to accreditation.

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(Posted January 04, 2007)