Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) - Foundations Of Science
Goal
Science Student Improvment
The Foundations of Science Course will improve students science literacy, critical thinking skills, and attitudes towards science.
Objective
Application Of Scientific Terminology
Following their completion of the course, Foundations of Science (FoS) students will be able to appropriately apply scientific terminology pertaining to the nature and conduct of science.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Exam (FSE)
The Foundations of Science Exam (FSE) is a locally developed, 53-question, multiple-choice instrument designed to measure student dispositions toward critical thinking, overall understanding of the scientific method, basic scientific literacy, the nature of science, and critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2008, this exam was giving to students taking introductory science in order to gather baseline data for subsequent administrations. Upon the beginning of the FoS course in Fall 2009, this exam will be given to both FoS and regular Science students in order to provide both pre-to-post improvement data, as well as comparison data between the treatment (the FoS course) and the control (the regular science courses)groups.
Criterion
Improved Student Performance on the Foundations of Science Exam
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSE, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSE scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSE scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSE scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSE Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSE was administered to 411 undergraduate science students. In addition, the FSE will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSE will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Indicator
Critical Thinking Achievment Test (CAT)
The Critical Thinking Achievement Test (CAT) is a standardized test consisting primarily of 15 short response questions. The test was designed to measure those components of critical thinking that are considered most important by faculty members across disciplines. The CAT will be administered to science students in Fall 2008 in order to collect baseline data. Following the beginning of the FoS Course in Fall 2009, the CAT will be administered to both students taking the FoS course, and students taking regular science courses, both at the beginning and the end of the semester. Data collected from these CAT administrations will not only be compared to the baseline data from Fall 08, but also to provide a pre-to-post comparison of student performance in each class, and to provide comparison data between the experimental (FoS courses) and control (regular science courses) groups.
Criterion
Improved FoS Student Performence, Pre-to-Post, on the CAT
The pre-to-post comparison results for FoS students taking the CAT will demonstrate improved performance in a variety of scientific abilities. In addition the results will show that FoS students had a greater rate of improvement than their non-FoS counterparts.
Finding
Baseline Data Collected for the CAT
In Fall 2008, 204 Students in introductory Physical and Historical Geology and Weather and Climate science classes took the CAT. In addition, this process will be repeated in Spring 2009. The data collected from this group of students will serve as a pre-test control group for the purposes of comparing their ability to think critically and scientifically relative to that of the students that will take the FoS course beginning in Fall 2009.
Indicator
TiLCHeRS Embedded Assesment
As with any course, students inf the FoS course will be given a combination of homework assignments and tests. One of the key assignments given on more than one occasion during the course is the TiLCHeRS assignment. This assignment will specifically measure student abilities to think critically and identify specific science content, as is reflected in the meaning of the TiLCHeRS acronym: Testable (an idea must be testable for it to be studied scientifically), Logic (arguments presented in support of a conclusion or theory must be logical), Comprehensiveness of evidence (all pertinent evidence must be evaluated before drawing a conclusion), Honesty of evaluation (scientists must objectively and fairly evaluate the evidence, even if it contradicts their favored hypothesis or theory) Replicability (experiments and studies must be replicated by others before their conclusions can be considered probable or definitive), and Sufficiency (the evidence must be sufficient to warrant a conclusion and, the more extraordinary the claim, the great the amount of evidence needed to support it).
Criterion
FoS Student Improvement in Science Knowledge and Critical Thinking
FoS students will be able to practically demonstrate the knowledge they have gained in the areas of Critical Thinking and Science Knowledge through their continually improved performance on the TiLCHeRS assignments given throughout the course of the FoS class.
Finding
No TiLCHeRS Data Available
No data from the TiLCHeRS instrument will be available until Fall 2009, when the FoS course begins.
Action
Continue Collecting Baseline Data
Pre-treatment baseline data will continue to be collected through the Spring 2009 semester in preparation for comparison with FoS data that will be gathered beginning in Fall 2009.
Objective
Apply Reasoning
Following their completion of the course, FoS students will be able to successfully apply the methods of reasoning used by scientists.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Exam (FSE)
The Foundations of Science Exam (FSE) is a locally developed, 53-question, multiple-choice instrument designed to measure student dispositions toward critical thinking, overall understanding of the scientific method, basic scientific literacy, the nature of science, and critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2008, this exam was giving to students taking introductory science in order to gather baseline data for subsequent administrations. Upon the beginning of the FoS course in Fall 2009, this exam will be given to both FoS and regular Science students in order to provide both pre-to-post improvement data, as well as comparison data between the treatment (the FoS course) and the control (the regular science courses)groups.
Criterion
Improved Student Performance on the Foundations of Science Exam
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSE, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSE scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSE scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSE scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSE Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSE was administered to 411 undergraduate science students. In addition, the FSE will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSE will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Indicator
Critical Thinking Achievment Test (CAT)
The Critical Thinking Achievement Test (CAT) is a standardized test consisting primarily of 15 short response questions. The test was designed to measure those components of critical thinking that are considered most important by faculty members across disciplines. The CAT will be administered to science students in Fall 2008 in order to collect baseline data. Following the beginning of the FoS Course in Fall 2009, the CAT will be administered to both students taking the FoS course, and students taking regular science courses, both at the beginning and the end of the semester. Data collected from these CAT administrations will not only be compared to the baseline data from Fall 08, but also to provide a pre-to-post comparison of student performance in each class, and to provide comparison data between the experimental (FoS courses) and control (regular science courses) groups.
Criterion
Improved FoS Student Performence, Pre-to-Post, on the CAT
The pre-to-post comparison results for FoS students taking the CAT will demonstrate improved performance in a variety of scientific abilities. In addition the results will show that FoS students had a greater rate of improvement than their non-FoS counterparts.
Finding
Baseline Data Collected for the CAT
In Fall 2008, 204 Students in introductory Physical and Historical Geology and Weather and Climate science classes took the CAT. In addition, this process will be repeated in Spring 2009. The data collected from this group of students will serve as a pre-test control group for the purposes of comparing their ability to think critically and scientifically relative to that of the students that will take the FoS course beginning in Fall 2009.
Indicator
TiLCHeRS Embedded Assesment
As with any course, students inf the FoS course will be given a combination of homework assignments and tests. One of the key assignments given on more than one occasion during the course is the TiLCHeRS assignment. This assignment will specifically measure student abilities to think critically and identify specific science content, as is reflected in the meaning of the TiLCHeRS acronym: Testable (an idea must be testable for it to be studied scientifically), Logic (arguments presented in support of a conclusion or theory must be logical), Comprehensiveness of evidence (all pertinent evidence must be evaluated before drawing a conclusion), Honesty of evaluation (scientists must objectively and fairly evaluate the evidence, even if it contradicts their favored hypothesis or theory) Replicability (experiments and studies must be replicated by others before their conclusions can be considered probable or definitive), and Sufficiency (the evidence must be sufficient to warrant a conclusion and, the more extraordinary the claim, the great the amount of evidence needed to support it).
Criterion
FoS Student Improvement in Science Knowledge and Critical Thinking
FoS students will be able to practically demonstrate the knowledge they have gained in the areas of Critical Thinking and Science Knowledge through their continually improved performance on the TiLCHeRS assignments given throughout the course of the FoS class.
Finding
No TiLCHeRS Data Available
No data from the TiLCHeRS instrument will be available until Fall 2009, when the FoS course begins.
Indicator
IDEA Survey Of Student Perceptions
The IDEA System is a commercial assessment product of the IDEA Center of Kansas State University, and is used nationally by hundreds of universities each semester. The IDEA system will be used to measure students' motivation and desire to take the science courses in which they are enrolled, as well as their perceptions of their improvement in critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2009, IDEA results will be compared to baseline data gathered from Fall 05-Spring 08 IDEA administrations.
Criterion
Higher Level of Interest in Taking the FoS Course
Student desire to take the FoS Course will be higher, as measured through the IDEA course evaluation system, as compared to both base line comparison data gathered previously, and to concurrent comparison groups.
Finding
Student Interest Baseline Data Collected
Information concerning student interest in taking science courses has been collected for the previous three Academic Years from the IDEA system. This data will provide a pre-treatment baseline for comparison to the FoS results that will be acquired beginning in Fall 2009.
Action
Continue Collecting Baseline Data
Pre-treatment baseline data will continue to be collected through the Spring 2009 semester in preparation for comparison with FoS data that will be gathered beginning in Fall 2009.
Objective
Analyze Logical Fallacies And Bias
Upon completion of the course, FoS students will be able to analyze and evaluate common logical fallacies and perceptual biases that interfere with the ability to draw reasonable and/or correct conclusions.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Exam (FSE)
The Foundations of Science Exam (FSE) is a locally developed, 53-question, multiple-choice instrument designed to measure student dispositions toward critical thinking, overall understanding of the scientific method, basic scientific literacy, the nature of science, and critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2008, this exam was giving to students taking introductory science in order to gather baseline data for subsequent administrations. Upon the beginning of the FoS course in Fall 2009, this exam will be given to both FoS and regular Science students in order to provide both pre-to-post improvement data, as well as comparison data between the treatment (the FoS course) and the control (the regular science courses)groups.
Criterion
Improved Student Performance on the Foundations of Science Exam
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSE, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSE scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSE scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSE scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSE Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSE was administered to 411 undergraduate science students. In addition, the FSE will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSE will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Indicator
Critical Thinking Achievment Test (CAT)
The Critical Thinking Achievement Test (CAT) is a standardized test consisting primarily of 15 short response questions. The test was designed to measure those components of critical thinking that are considered most important by faculty members across disciplines. The CAT will be administered to science students in Fall 2008 in order to collect baseline data. Following the beginning of the FoS Course in Fall 2009, the CAT will be administered to both students taking the FoS course, and students taking regular science courses, both at the beginning and the end of the semester. Data collected from these CAT administrations will not only be compared to the baseline data from Fall 08, but also to provide a pre-to-post comparison of student performance in each class, and to provide comparison data between the experimental (FoS courses) and control (regular science courses) groups.
Criterion
Improved FoS Student Performence, Pre-to-Post, on the CAT
The pre-to-post comparison results for FoS students taking the CAT will demonstrate improved performance in a variety of scientific abilities. In addition the results will show that FoS students had a greater rate of improvement than their non-FoS counterparts.
Finding
Baseline Data Collected for the CAT
In Fall 2008, 204 Students in introductory Physical and Historical Geology and Weather and Climate science classes took the CAT. In addition, this process will be repeated in Spring 2009. The data collected from this group of students will serve as a pre-test control group for the purposes of comparing their ability to think critically and scientifically relative to that of the students that will take the FoS course beginning in Fall 2009.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Survey (FSSS) - Student Dispostions Towards Critical Thinking
The Foundations of Science Survey (FSSS)-Student Dispositions Towards Critical Thinking is special sub-set of the Foundations of Science Exam (FSE). This sub-set contains 12 questions specifically measures student dispositions toward critical thinking.
Criterion
Student Improvement in Critical Thinking
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSSS, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSSS scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSSS scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSSS scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSSS Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSSS was administered to 411 undergraduate science students as a subset of questions in the FSE. In addition, the FSSS will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSSS will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Action
Continue Collecting Baseline Data
Pre-treatment baseline data will continue to be collected through the Spring 2009 semester in preparation for comparison with FoS data that will be gathered beginning in Fall 2009.
Objective
Understanding Concepts And Theories
Upon completion of the course, FoS students will be able to understand key concepts and theories fro a variety of scientific disciplines.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Exam (FSE)
The Foundations of Science Exam (FSE) is a locally developed, 53-question, multiple-choice instrument designed to measure student dispositions toward critical thinking, overall understanding of the scientific method, basic scientific literacy, the nature of science, and critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2008, this exam was giving to students taking introductory science in order to gather baseline data for subsequent administrations. Upon the beginning of the FoS course in Fall 2009, this exam will be given to both FoS and regular Science students in order to provide both pre-to-post improvement data, as well as comparison data between the treatment (the FoS course) and the control (the regular science courses)groups.
Criterion
Improved Student Performance on the Foundations of Science Exam
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSE, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSE scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSE scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSE scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSE Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSE was administered to 411 undergraduate science students. In addition, the FSE will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSE will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Indicator
TiLCHeRS Embedded Assesment
As with any course, students inf the FoS course will be given a combination of homework assignments and tests. One of the key assignments given on more than one occasion during the course is the TiLCHeRS assignment. This assignment will specifically measure student abilities to think critically and identify specific science content, as is reflected in the meaning of the TiLCHeRS acronym: Testable (an idea must be testable for it to be studied scientifically), Logic (arguments presented in support of a conclusion or theory must be logical), Comprehensiveness of evidence (all pertinent evidence must be evaluated before drawing a conclusion), Honesty of evaluation (scientists must objectively and fairly evaluate the evidence, even if it contradicts their favored hypothesis or theory) Replicability (experiments and studies must be replicated by others before their conclusions can be considered probable or definitive), and Sufficiency (the evidence must be sufficient to warrant a conclusion and, the more extraordinary the claim, the great the amount of evidence needed to support it).
Criterion
FoS Student Improvement in Science Knowledge and Critical Thinking
FoS students will be able to practically demonstrate the knowledge they have gained in the areas of Critical Thinking and Science Knowledge through their continually improved performance on the TiLCHeRS assignments given throughout the course of the FoS class.
Finding
No TiLCHeRS Data Available
No data from the TiLCHeRS instrument will be available until Fall 2009, when the FoS course begins.
Indicator
IDEA Survey Of Student Perceptions
The IDEA System is a commercial assessment product of the IDEA Center of Kansas State University, and is used nationally by hundreds of universities each semester. The IDEA system will be used to measure students' motivation and desire to take the science courses in which they are enrolled, as well as their perceptions of their improvement in critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2009, IDEA results will be compared to baseline data gathered from Fall 05-Spring 08 IDEA administrations.
Criterion
Higher Level of Interest in Taking the FoS Course
Student desire to take the FoS Course will be higher, as measured through the IDEA course evaluation system, as compared to both base line comparison data gathered previously, and to concurrent comparison groups.
Finding
Student Interest Baseline Data Collected
Information concerning student interest in taking science courses has been collected for the previous three Academic Years from the IDEA system. This data will provide a pre-treatment baseline for comparison to the FoS results that will be acquired beginning in Fall 2009.
Indicator
FoS/Comparison - Course Grades (FSCCG)
The academic performance of students in the FoS course will be compared to both baseline data, as well as to the performance of students in comparison groups who did not take the FoS course in within the same time periods. This will assist in determining if students in the FoS course master the learning required as well as, or better, than comparable students in comparison courses. FoS vs. non-FoS students' course grades will be analyzed for studnets who have been matched and grouped on background and appropriate preparation variables(i.e., SAT/ACT scores, High School percentile rank, major types, previous science courses taken, remediation at SHSU, classification, etc.) to ensure an accurate comparison.
Criterion
Higher Grades Recieved by FoS Students in Comparison to Non-Fos Students
When the grades of comparable of FoS and Non-FoS students are compared, the performance of the FoS students will be as good or better than their non-FoS counterparts, as measured by the course grades they received.
Finding
Baseline Science Student Grade Data Collected
The Grade Distribution for the 100 Level Science Courses has been gathered. This information will serve as pre-treatment baseline for comparison to the subsequent grades received by both the FoS and non-FoS students beginning in Fall 2009.
Indicator
Grade In Next Core Curriculm Science Course (NSG)
Students taking the FoS course for their first science class will be flagged, and their performance in their nest Core Curriculum science course will be tracked. These results will be compared to the second science course performance of students in the comparison groups who did not take the FoS course as their first science class. This will assist in determining if the FoS course contributed to any improved performance in the student's second science class.
Criterion
FoS Student Improvement in Their Next Science Course
Students taking the FoS course will demonstrate a greater rate of success in their next Core Curriculum Science course by earning, on average, higher grades than those received by comparable second course students who did not take the FoS course.
Finding
FoS Student Improvement Data Unavailable
No data concerning FoS Student improvement in their next science course will be available until Spring 2010, as the FoS course will not begin until Fall 2009.
Action
Continue Collecting Baseline Data
Pre-treatment baseline data will continue to be collected through the Spring 2009 semester in preparation for comparison with FoS data that will be gathered beginning in Fall 2009.
Objective
Evaluation Of Extraordinary Claims
Upon completion of the course, FoS students will be able to apply their knowledge about science to assist them in the evaluation of "extraordinary" claims.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Exam (FSE)
The Foundations of Science Exam (FSE) is a locally developed, 53-question, multiple-choice instrument designed to measure student dispositions toward critical thinking, overall understanding of the scientific method, basic scientific literacy, the nature of science, and critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2008, this exam was giving to students taking introductory science in order to gather baseline data for subsequent administrations. Upon the beginning of the FoS course in Fall 2009, this exam will be given to both FoS and regular Science students in order to provide both pre-to-post improvement data, as well as comparison data between the treatment (the FoS course) and the control (the regular science courses)groups.
Criterion
Improved Student Performance on the Foundations of Science Exam
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSE, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSE scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSE scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSE scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSE Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSE was administered to 411 undergraduate science students. In addition, the FSE will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSE will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Action
Continue Collecting Baseline Data
Pre-treatment baseline data will continue to be collected through the Spring 2009 semester in preparation for comparison with FoS data that will be gathered beginning in Fall 2009.
Objective
Distinguishing Science From Pseudoscience
Upon completion of the course, FoS students will be able to distinguish science from pseudoscience by scientifically evaluating a wide variety of extraordinary claims.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Exam (FSE)
The Foundations of Science Exam (FSE) is a locally developed, 53-question, multiple-choice instrument designed to measure student dispositions toward critical thinking, overall understanding of the scientific method, basic scientific literacy, the nature of science, and critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2008, this exam was giving to students taking introductory science in order to gather baseline data for subsequent administrations. Upon the beginning of the FoS course in Fall 2009, this exam will be given to both FoS and regular Science students in order to provide both pre-to-post improvement data, as well as comparison data between the treatment (the FoS course) and the control (the regular science courses)groups.
Criterion
Improved Student Performance on the Foundations of Science Exam
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSE, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSE scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSE scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSE scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSE Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSE was administered to 411 undergraduate science students. In addition, the FSE will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSE will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Survey (FSSS) - Student Dispostions Towards Critical Thinking
The Foundations of Science Survey (FSSS)-Student Dispositions Towards Critical Thinking is special sub-set of the Foundations of Science Exam (FSE). This sub-set contains 12 questions specifically measures student dispositions toward critical thinking.
Criterion
Student Improvement in Critical Thinking
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSSS, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSSS scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSSS scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSSS scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSSS Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSSS was administered to 411 undergraduate science students as a subset of questions in the FSE. In addition, the FSSS will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSSS will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Action
Continue Collecting Baseline Data
Pre-treatment baseline data will continue to be collected through the Spring 2009 semester in preparation for comparison with FoS data that will be gathered beginning in Fall 2009.
Objective
Student Appreciation Of Science
Upon completion of the course, FoS students will be able to appreciate the role of science in their lives, as well as appreciate the need for scientific literacy and critical thinking.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Exam (FSE)
The Foundations of Science Exam (FSE) is a locally developed, 53-question, multiple-choice instrument designed to measure student dispositions toward critical thinking, overall understanding of the scientific method, basic scientific literacy, the nature of science, and critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2008, this exam was giving to students taking introductory science in order to gather baseline data for subsequent administrations. Upon the beginning of the FoS course in Fall 2009, this exam will be given to both FoS and regular Science students in order to provide both pre-to-post improvement data, as well as comparison data between the treatment (the FoS course) and the control (the regular science courses)groups.
Criterion
Improved Student Performance on the Foundations of Science Exam
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSE, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSE scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSE scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSE scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSE Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSE was administered to 411 undergraduate science students. In addition, the FSE will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSE will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Indicator
IDEA Survey Of Student Perceptions
The IDEA System is a commercial assessment product of the IDEA Center of Kansas State University, and is used nationally by hundreds of universities each semester. The IDEA system will be used to measure students' motivation and desire to take the science courses in which they are enrolled, as well as their perceptions of their improvement in critical thinking. Beginning in Fall 2009, IDEA results will be compared to baseline data gathered from Fall 05-Spring 08 IDEA administrations.
Criterion
Higher Level of Interest in Taking the FoS Course
Student desire to take the FoS Course will be higher, as measured through the IDEA course evaluation system, as compared to both base line comparison data gathered previously, and to concurrent comparison groups.
Finding
Student Interest Baseline Data Collected
Information concerning student interest in taking science courses has been collected for the previous three Academic Years from the IDEA system. This data will provide a pre-treatment baseline for comparison to the FoS results that will be acquired beginning in Fall 2009.
Indicator
Foundations Of Science Survey (FSSS) - Student Dispostions Towards Critical Thinking
The Foundations of Science Survey (FSSS)-Student Dispositions Towards Critical Thinking is special sub-set of the Foundations of Science Exam (FSE). This sub-set contains 12 questions specifically measures student dispositions toward critical thinking.
Criterion
Student Improvement in Critical Thinking
FoS students will demonstrate significant pre-to-post improvement on the FSSS, as well as improved performance over baseline scores gather in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. In addition the end of semester FSSS scores for FoS students will be higher than the FSSS scores of will be equal to or higher than the end of semester FSSS scores of non-FoS students.
Finding
FSSS Baseline Data Collected
In Fall 2008, the FSSS was administered to 411 undergraduate science students as a subset of questions in the FSE. In addition, the FSSS will also be administered to science students in Spring 2009. The data collected from these administrations of the FSSS will serve as a baseline for comparison FoS students once the FoS course is underway in Fall 2009.
Action
Continue Collecting Baseline Data
Pre-treatment baseline data will continue to be collected through the Spring 2009 semester in preparation for comparison with FoS data that will be gathered beginning in Fall 2009.