This document summarizes results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) comparing students who were not retained at the university to a control group of students who were retained. It found that students who were not retained reported less engagement in several key areas:
- They were less likely to discuss or integrate ideas from multiple courses or include diverse perspectives in class work.
- Fewer planned to participate in internships, volunteer work, or a culminating senior experience.
- They felt the institution emphasized social and academic support as well as campus events and activities to a lesser degree.
- They reported gaining less broad knowledge and skills, like using technology, from their educational experience.
- A higher
2. Work Sample
NSSE 06, 08, 11
• Differences between Not
Retained Freshmen (n = 84)
and Control Group UWP
Freshmen (n = 100)
• Control Group
• Criminal Justice (NSSE 06)
• Mechanical Engineering (NSSE
08)
• Biology (NSSE 11)
3. Question 1. In your experience at your institution during the current
school year, about how often have you done each of the following?
(% saying “never” or “sometimes”)
(divclass) Included diverse perspectives
(different races, religions, genders,
political beliefs, etc.) in class discussions
or writing assignments
(intideas) Put together ideas or concepts
from different courses when completing
assignments or during class discussions
(workhard) Worked harder than you
thought you could to meet an
instructor’s standards or expectations
(oocideas) Discussed ideas from your
readings or classes with others outside
of class (students, family members, co-
workers, etc.)
Not Retained Retained
divclass 61.9% 50.5%
intideas 66.7% 55.0%
workhard 64.3% 50.0%
oocideas 62.7% 50.5%
4. Question 7. Which of the following have you done or do you plan to do
before you graduate from your institution?
(% saying “have not decided” or “do not plan to do”)
(intern04) Practicum, internship, field
experience, co-op experience
(volntr04) Community service or
volunteer work
(forlng04) Foreign language coursework
(indstd04) Independent study or self-
designed major
(snrx04) Culminating senior experience
(capstone course, senior project or
thesis, comprehensive exam, etc.)
Not Retained Retained
intern04 25.6% 16.2%
volntr04 38.6% 26.3%
forlng04 66.3% 50.5%
indstd04 81.7% 69.8%
snrx04 71.6% 43.5%
5. Question 10. To what extent does your institution emphasize
each of the following? (% saying “very little” or “some”)
(envdirs) Encouraging contact among
students from different economic, social,
and racial or ethnic backgrounds
(envsocal) Providing the support you
need to thrive socially
(envevent) Attending campus events and
activities (special speakers, cultural
performances, athletic events, etc.)
(envcompt) Using computers in
academic work
Not Retained Retained
envdirs 50.0% 59.6%
envsocal 66.6% 56.5%
envevent 48.1% 41.4%
envcompt 29.3% 20.2%
6. Question 11. To what extent has your experience at this institution
contributed to your knowledge skills, and personal development in the
following areas? (% saying “very little” or “some”)
(gngenled) Acquiring a broad general
education
(gnspeak) Speaking clearly and
effectively
(gmquant) Analyzing quantitative
problems
(gmcmpts) Using computing and
information technology
Not Retained Retained
gngenled 28.9% 18.2%
gnspeak 45.8% 35.7%
gnquant 33.7% 25.5%
gmcmpts 34.0% 26.2%
7. Question 11. To what extent has your experience at this institution
contributed to your knowledge skills, and personal development in the
following areas? (% saying “very little” or “some”) [CONTINUED]
(gndivers) Understanding people of
other racial and ethnic backgrounds
(gnethics) Developing a personal code
of values and ethics
(gncommun) Contributing to the welfare
of your community
(gmspirit) Developing a deepened sense
of spirituality
Not Retained Retained
gndivers 51.8% 59.2%
gnethics 47.6% 55.6%
gncommun 58.6% 66.7%
gnspirit 62.2% 73.2%
8. Questions 13 & 14
Question 13. How would you rate your
entire educational experience at this
institution?
13
27.4
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Q13
% saying “poor” or “fair”
Not Retained Retained
Question 14. If you could start over
again, would you go to the same
institution you are now attending?
13
29.7
0 10 20 30 40
Q14
% saying “definitely no” or
“probably no”
Not Retained Retained
9. Question 27a. What is the highest level of education that your parent(s)
completed? (% saying “high school education or less”)
37
49.4
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Q27a
Not Retained Retained
10. WHAT WAS DONE
WITH THE NSSE
DATA?
• Reviewed by governing bodies and Provost’s Office
• UWP resolved to use NSSE more often in future
• Revamped First Year Experience courses