Liberal Education and America’s Promise: Excellence for Everyone as a Nation Goes to College Debra Humphreys Vice President for Communications and Public

Liberal Education and Liberal Education and America’s Promise: America’s Promise:

Excellence for Everyone as a Excellence for Everyone as a Nation Goes to CollegeNation Goes to College

Debra HumphreysVice President for Communications and Public Affairs

Association of American Colleges and [email protected]

Goals Of AAC&U Campaign for Goals Of AAC&U Campaign for Liberal EducationLiberal Education

To engage the public with the nature and importance of a contemporary liberal education

To mobilize support for changes that campuses already are making to improve undergraduate education and ensure that all students receive an engaged and practical liberal education

To document the outcomes that business leaders need in their employees and those that citizens need in a diverse democracy

To assist campuses as they become more intentional about ensuring that all students receive a liberal education

To build the capacity of colleges and universities to communicate more effectively about liberal education and what really matters in college

To document how well students are achieving the key goals that characterize a quality liberal education

What is Liberal Education Today? What is Liberal Education Today?

A philosophy of education that empowers individuals with core knowledge and transferable skills, and a strong sense of ethics, values, and civic engagement.

Involving challenging intellectual encounters with important and relevant issues today and throughout history, a liberal education prepares graduates for socially valued work and civic leadership.

A liberal education usually includes a general education curriculum that provides broad exposure to multiple disciplines and ways of knowing, along with more in-depth study in one or more field.

A liberal education provides students with the knowledge and skills employers are calling for and the society needs.

Frequently Confused TermsFrequently Confused Terms

Liberal Education—a philosophy of education that provides broad general education, cultivates intellectual agility, and fosters ethical and social responsibility

Liberal Arts and Sciences—specific disciplines traditionally associated with liberal education

Liberal Arts College—a small, residential college with close interaction between faculty and students and strong focus on liberal arts and science disciplines (not official designation)

General Education—the part of a curriculum shared by all students; provides broad study in liberal arts and forms basis for developing intellectual and civic capacities

What is the Same and What is Different What is the Same and What is Different About Liberal Education Today? About Liberal Education Today? Today’s liberal education helps students discover clear

connections between what they are learning and the lives they will lead as workers, citizens, community and family members.

A strong foundation in arts and sciences disciplines remains absolutely essential to a quality contemporary liberal education.

Today’s liberal education focuses both on important content and on teaching the arts of analysis and argument that can be carried to any field of study or endeavor.

Liberal education has always and continues to introduce and examine diverse perspectives on any subject and to teach students how to evaluate competing claims and different perspectives while they form their own judgments.

Why is a Campaign Needed Now?Why is a Campaign Needed Now?

“While issues of access and affordability in higher education remain important, there is also a compelling need to focus on what all students should achieve once they enroll in college. Behind the scenes, a consensus is emerging among business, civic, educational, and some public policy leaders about the kinds of learning Americans need to thrive in a knowledge-intensive economy and a globally engaged democracy. This consensus underlines the value of a liberal education for all students.”

Ron Crutcher, president, Wheaton College, chair AAC&U board of directors

Main Campaign MessagesMain Campaign Messages

We must raise the level of college student achievement to meet the rising expectations for work and life in the 21st century. This should be a national priority or we will not meet the demands of a globally interdependent world and volatile economy.

Today’s students need to hone their abilities to analyze and solve problems, communicate effectively in writing and orally, and across cultures, understand numbers and the natural and physical world, and develop a sense of ethical and social responsibility.

A liberal education—retooled and calibrated to 21st century needs—is the best way to ensure that all students achieve these needed skills, knowledge, and competencies to succeed and make a difference in the 21st century.

Key Learning Outcomes: Key Learning Outcomes: The Emerging ConsensusThe Emerging Consensus

Knowledge science, social sciences,

mathematics, humanities, arts

Intellectual and Practical Skills written and oral

communication inquiry, critical and creative

thinking quantitative literacy information literacy teamwork integration of learning

Individual and Social Responsibility

civic responsibilities and engagement

ethical reasoning intercultural knowledge and

competence lifelong learning

A Nation Goes To CollegeA Nation Goes To College

Nearly All High School StudentsSee College In Their Future

4%

7%

5%

3%

73%

8%

Nearly All High School StudentsSee College In Their Future

4%

7%

5%

3%

73%

8%

State of Our Nation’s Youth. Spring 2004. Conducted by Peter D. Hart Research on behalf of Horatio Alger Association.

College Readiness: How Prepared College Readiness: How Prepared for College Are Today’s Students ?for College Are Today’s Students ?

College instructors estimate that 42 percent of their students are not adequately prepared.

24% of high school graduates say they faced high expectations in high school.

35% of college students report large gaps in at least one area of key learning skills.

Only 44% of high-school students nationwide report that they are enrolled in college preparatory (25%) or advanced placement (19%) classes.

Only 34% of students in the class of 2002 left high school with minimum standards for college admission (including graduating from high school).

Sources: Rising to the Challenge: Are High School Graduates Prepared for College & Work. 2005 Achieve; State of Our Nation’s Youth. Spring 2004. Conducted by Peter D. Hart Research on behalf of Horatio Alger Association; Public High School Graduation and College Readiness Rates: 1991-2002, February 2005. Manhattan Institute.

“Today’s students and their parents have heard the message that college is essential to success in today’s world. But no one has told them what they really need to gain from college or how to prepare for it.”

Lee Shulman, president, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and member,

LEAP National Leadership Council

Do They Know Why They Are There?Do They Know Why They Are There?Are They Getting What They Need?Are They Getting What They Need?

What Business Leaders Say About What Business Leaders Say About What Really Matters in CollegeWhat Really Matters in College

Executives will need a broad understanding of other cultures, other languages, history, science, and the arts, if they are to successfully navigate a rapidly changing future business environment.

Good writing skills and good public speaking skills are crucial to business success.

The real challenge of today’s economy is not in making things but in producing creative ideas.

Reading, writing and basic arithmetic are not enough. These skills must be integrated with other kinds of competency to make them fully operational.

Sources: Paul Dillon, The College Board Review, no. 164; David Kearns, quoted in Reclaiming the Legacy by Denis Doyle; SCANS Report, “What Work Requires of Schools”

What Do Private Employers Think? What Do Private Employers Think? Findings from Recent Focus GroupsFindings from Recent Focus Groups

The most important outcomes: problem-solving and analytic thinking; oral and written communication; critical thinking; teamwork skills; strong work habits.

Recent graduates most lack: work ethic, people skills, and communication skills.

Civic engagement is not an important outcome of college.

Limited and/or misguided understanding of liberal education; believe it is less rigorous.

The New Global Economy and The New Global Economy and EnvironmentEnvironment

Today’s graduates are likely to change jobs and careers several times.

Complex oral and written communication skills more important than ever and lacking.

Creativity and innovation are keys to success. Scientific and quantitative literacy increasingly

important and lacking. Cross-cultural communication and knowledge

increasingly important.

Goals Of Preliminary Research with Goals Of Preliminary Research with High School and College StudentsHigh School and College Students

To explore college students’ and prospective college students’ hopes, concerns, expectations, and goals regarding college

To assess college students’ and prospective college students’ understanding of and attitudes toward liberal education and key outcomes of college

What Do Students Think About What Do Students Think About Liberal Education?Liberal Education?

Peter D. Hart Research conducted 8 focus groups for AAC&U between July 26 and August 3, 2004 and 2 focus groups in March, 2005 (WI), among:

Rising public high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year college or university

Rising juniors and seniors at public and private colleges and universities

The groups were held in three locations:Indianapolis, IndianaPortland, OregonAlexandria, VirginiaMilwaukee, Wisconsin (March, 2005)

The discussions focused on personal aspirations relating to college and not on outcomes of college as they relate to society as a whole.

Note: because this is qualitative research, results should not be interpreted as broadly representative of the sampled populations.

Sources Of College InformationSources Of College Information

Limited resources are available on how to prepare for college life academically and socially.

Most valued sources for honest answers and relevant information are those with recent experience:

Siblings Friends Recent graduates

Less valued sources include: Parents College counselors Teachers Colleges and universities

Importance Of College EducationImportance Of College Education The primary motivation is self development and

maturation to enhance potential for success in the workforce

How college contributes to career success: More career choices and job opportunities

Specific skills and knowledge required by field of interest

Knowledge that will be helpful throughout life (on and off the job)

Capabilities, ethics, and values essential to professional success

Importance Of College EducationImportance Of College Education A means to an end or an end in itself?

Students have varied opinions.

“I don’t think it means much of anything, it’s just a piece of paper. But that piece of paper will get you the interview at whatever job you want.”

College student, Alexandria, VA

“Well, I just think that it’s about the journey. Like the whole process – you have to have all these general requirements to making you that well-rounded person…becoming a better thinker…it’s more the process rather than the piece of paper.”

College student, Portland, OR

Outcomes Of College For High School And Outcomes Of College For High School And College StudentsCollege Students

(VA, IN, OR)(VA, IN, OR)

Most Important OutcomesMaturity and ability to succeed on one’s own

Time-management skills

Strong work habits

Self-discipline

Teamwork skills and ability to get along with different types of people

Challenge: students don’t readily link these outcomes to the college curriculum



Middle Tier OutcomesTangible business skills and specific expertise in field of focusCritical thinking skills Communication skillsProblem-solving skills and analytical abilityExposure to business worldLeadership skills

Outcomes Of College For High School And College Outcomes Of College For High School And College StudentsStudents


Least Important OutcomesValues, principles, ethics

Tolerance and respect for different cultural backgrounds

Competency in computer skills

Expanded cultural and global awareness and sensitivity

Civic responsibility and orientation toward public service


(Wisconsin)(Wisconsin)

Most Important Outcomes Maturity and ability to succeed on

one’s own Tangible business skills and specific

expertise in field of focus**

Strong work habits Teamwork skills and ability to get

along with different types of people Self-discipline



Middle Tier Outcomes Communication skills Critical thinking skills Time-management skills **

Values, principles, ethics **

Knowledge of and respect for people of different cultural backgrounds **

Exposure to the business world Leadership skills



Least Important Outcomes Community involvement and civic

engagement Competency in computer skills Expanded knowledge of cultures

outside the U.S. **

Expanded knowledge of American culture and history **

Expanded understanding of science and its relation to other fields **

Students’ Familiarity With And Students’ Familiarity With And Impressions Of Liberal Impressions Of Liberal

EducationEducation Awareness of liberal education is non-existent among HS

students, and college students are only somewhat aware.

Participants associate liberal education with:

The arts and humanities or liberal arts colleges

General education and broad requirements

Being well rounded, promoting individualism, and encouraging critical thinking

Being politically skewed to the left

Total freedom for students in their approach to education

No right or wrong answers

Students’ Volunteered Students’ Volunteered Definitions Of Liberal EducationDefinitions Of Liberal Education

“It’s a well-rounded education that exposes you to a variety of ideas, disciplines, and fields. It encourages appreciation and awareness of a variety of fields. It helps create a well-rounded individual who is knowledgeable about a variety of things. Life is interdisciplinary, and so is a liberal education. Thus, this type of education is valuable both personally and professionally. It also allows a person to find and focus on what they truly love to study.” --College student, Portland, OR

“It brings up both liberal arts, which to me means a broad education not involving the hard sciences. It also means a politically liberal education, which is the way a lot of colleges are.”

--College student, Alexandria, VA

It is an education that requires the student to participate in studies not necessarily related to the major in order to give them a well-rounded education.

--High school student, Milwaukee, WI

Students’ Volunteered Students’ Volunteered Definitions of Liberal EducationDefinitions of Liberal Education

“It is broad, encompasses a little bit of everything. I think people who go into this are a little unsure of what they want to do. For me, this would not be the type of education I want.

--High school student, Milwaukee, WI

A liberal education would be the opposite of a conservative education. Conservative education focuses on a more individualistic approach to problem-solving, while liberal would focus more on a more communal approach to problem solving.

--College student, Milwaukee, WI

It makes me think about the knowledge I have and the critical thinking that takes place, as well. It is the ability to reason, understand, and make good decisions in life. --College student, Milwaukee, WI

High School Students’ Mixed Reaction High School Students’ Mixed Reaction To Liberal Education To Liberal Education

Most of the high school students preferred to attend a college that offers a liberal education curriculum as defined above.

They have heard very little about a liberal education from any source. Those who are more career-focused expressed less enthusiasm for liberal

education. WI students expressed more neutral views of liberal education. For those more positive about liberal education, specific areas that are

appealing include: Mix of general education and major field, Opportunity to explore and make informed

choices about major, The social responsibility component is not a

major draw.

“Liberal education is a philosophy of education that empowers individuals, liberates the mind from ignorance, and cultivates social responsibility. A liberal education comprises a curriculum that includes general education that provides students broad exposure to multiple disciplines and more in-depth study in at least one field or area of concentration.”

College Students’ Mixed College Students’ Mixed Reactions To Liberal EducationReactions To Liberal Education

College students embrace the goals and concepts of liberal education in theory. Benefits of liberal education:

Diversity of curriculum – exposure to multiple disciplines, complements skills learned in major

Preparing students for life after graduation – ability to adapt, tools to meet challenges and take advantage of opportunities

But they also identify a gap between the ideal and their own experience with general education: Dissatisfied with limited options of general education No sense of connectedness or integration of major

What do we know about Liberal What do we know about Liberal Education’s Benefits?Education’s Benefits?

Students attending a college that provides strong liberal arts experiences (rather than just calling itself a liberal arts college) graduate with better skills: Reading comprehension Critical thinking Science reasoning Writing skills Openness to diversity/challenge Learning for self-understanding Sense of responsibility for one’s own successSource: Wabash Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts

How Well Are We Providing the How Well Are We Providing the Outcomes of a Liberal Education?Outcomes of a Liberal Education?

Serious lack of national data on outcomesMajority of students self-report high gains

on: Written and oral communication Critical and analytic thinking

Source: Liberal Education Outcomes: A Preliminary Report on Student Achievement in College (Washington DC: AAC&U 2005).


Fewer students report gains on: Civic responsibility and engagement Developing a code of values and ethics Understanding people of other racial and ethnic

backgrounds



ETS Academic Profile Shows 8% of seniors proficient at Level 3 Math—up from 5% as freshman

ACT CAAP math scores show decline from freshman to senior year

ETS Academic Profile Shows 11% at Level 3 writing ETS Academic Profile Shows 6% of seniors proficient in

critical thinking; 77% not proficient


An Urgent Agenda ForAn Urgent Agenda For Today’s World Today’s World

“Liberal Education is essential to an economy dependent on innovation and to the success of a deliberative and diverse democracy. We must do far more to ensure that students achieve key liberal education outcomes. When we make the aims of liberal education our compass, we build society’s ability to creatively solve problems, engage and learn from our differences, and forge a stronger community. It is for just these reasons that liberal education is our best investment in America’s promise.”

Carol Geary Schneider, president, AAC&U

Liberal Education and Liberal Education and America’s PromiseAmerica’s Promise

www.aacu.org/advocacy

Debra Humphreys

[email protected]

Documents

Liberal Education and America’s Promise: Excellence for Everyone as a Nation Goes to College Debra Humphreys Vice President for Communications and Public