THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SURVEY OF
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT (CCSSE):
BENCHMARKING RESULTS OF THE 2004 SURVEY
Office of Research, Planning and Assessment
Northern Virginia Community College
December 2004
Northern Virginia Community College
Office of Research, Planning, and Assessment
The Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE):
Benchmarking Results of the 2004 Survey
Introduction:
The Community College Survey of Student Engagement is designed to assess levels of
student engagement as a means of improving the services offered to students, which in
turn has the potential to significantly enhance student performance. Student
engagement is defined in the study as “the amount of time and energy that students
invest in meaningful educational practices”. Since community colleges make higher
education accessible to a very diverse population, it becomes challenging to meet
diverse needs through the provision of effective educational services. In order to
achieve the College’s strategic goals of student success (#1) and access (#2) as
outlined in Gateway to the American Dream, it is extremely important that we have tools
that can measure students’ needs, in order to strengthen institutional efforts to promote
learning and retention. CCSSE is a tool that can be used to help them succeed.
The first national administration of the CCSSE was done in 2003. NVCC was one of 152
institutions across 30 states that participated in this survey in Spring 2004. Depending
on institutional size, the participating community colleges were categorized as small
(<4,500 credits), medium (4,500-7,999 credits), large (8,000-14,999 credits), or extra
large (15,000+ credits). NVCC qualified as an “extra large” institution. The survey was
administered randomly while keeping the sample stratified by time of day, gender, age,
and race. The survey results give NVCC access to data comparing institutions of
different sizes and on a national scale.
The survey results for NVCC are reported below. Since the report compares results by
campus, and campuses are differentially represented, it is important to note the number
of survey respondents:
Campus
Alexandria
Annandale
Loudoun
Manassas
Woodbridge
Total
Survey Respondents
328
362
105
13
197
1005
Since there were only 13 respondents from Manassas campus, the results should be
interpreted carefully.
Benchmarks:
The objective of the survey is to provide five benchmarks of student engagement.
These benchmarks reflect effective educational practices in community colleges and
allow institutions to monitor students’ performances in those areas. The results for each
1
of these benchmarks are attached in this report. The report not only provides the NVCC
benchmark scores in different areas but also provides a comparison with the national
standard and also with the community colleges that are similar in size. Since NVCC is
categorized as an extra large institution, benchmarking results are provided only for that
category.
Active and Collaborative Learning
Benchmark Comparative Data
100
80
57
48
47
46
60
50
49
46
42
40
20
0
AL
AN
LO
MA
WO
NVCC
Peer
Nat'l
Active and Collaborative Learning:
Students learn more when they are actively involved in their education and have
opportunities to think about and apply what they are learning in different settings.
The following characterizes active and collaborative learning:
4a.
Asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions
4b.
Made a class presentation
4f.
Worked with other students on projects during class
4g.
Worked with classmates outside of class to prepare class assignments
4h.
Tutored or taught other students (paid or voluntary)
4i.
Participated in a community-based project as part of a regular course
4r.
Discussed ideas from readings or classes with others outside of class
(students, family members, co-workers, etc…)
Analysis:

The overall score for NVCC is lower than the national average and also in
comparison with peer institutions.

Within the NVCC system, the Loudoun campus shows the lowest score and
Manassas the best. Since the Manassas campus had only 13 students
responding to this survey, caution should be used when interpreting these
results.
2
Student Effort Benchmark Comparative Data
100
80
60
51.3
46.8
40.6
42.6
48.7
47.9
50.5
50.0
40
20
0
AL
AN
LO
MA
WO
NVCC
Peer
Nat'l
Student Effort:
Students’ own behaviors contribute significantly to their learning and the likelihood that
they will successfully attain their educational goals.
4c.
4d.
4e.
6b.
10a.
13d.
13e.
13h.
Prepared two or more drafts of a paper or assignment before turning it in
Worked on a paper or project that required integrating ideas or
information from various sources
Came to class without completing readings or assignments (reverse
coded)
Number of books read on one’s own (not assigned) for personal
enjoyment or academic enrichment
Preparing for class (studying, reading, writing, rehearsing, doing
homework, or other activities related to one’s program)
Used peer or other tutoring
Used skill labs
Used a computer lab
Analysis:


The NVCC score is lower than the national score and that of the schools in the
same size category.
Within the NVCC system, there is a gap of more than 10 points with Annandale
have the highest score and Loudoun the lowest.
3
Academic Challege Benchmark
Comparative Data
100
80
48.8
60
51.5
43.7
45.7
48.7
49.1
50.2
50.0
40
20
0
AL
AN
LO
MA
WO
NVCC
Peer
Nat'l
Academic Challenge:
Challenging intellectual and creative work is central to student learning and collegiate
quality.
Worked harder than one thought one could to meet an instructor’s standards and
expectations
Analyzed the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory
Synthesized and organized ideas, information, or experiences in new ways
Made judgments about the value or soundness of information, arguments, or
methods
Applied theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations
Used information (read or heard) in order to perform a new job skill
Number assigned textbooks, manuals, books, or book-length packs of course
readings read
Number of papers (of any length) written
To what extent have examinations challenged the student to do his/her best work
Encouraged student to spend significant amounts of time studying
4p.
5b.
5c.
5d.
5e.
5f.
6a.
6c.
7
9a.
Analysis:


The NVCC average scores are slightly below the national average and the
average for peer institutions.
Within the NVCC system, Annandale campus shows the best average score and
Loudoun campus the lowest.
4
Student Faculty Interaction Benchmark
Comparative Data
100
80
60
49.2
48.6
49.8
48.8
48.9
49.7
50.0
45.3
40
20
0
AL
AN
LO
MA
WO
NVCC
Peer
Nat'l
Student Faculty Interaction:
In general, the more interaction students have with their instructors, the more likely they
are to learn effectively and persist toward achievement of their educational goals.
Questions that indicate this benchmark are:
4k.
4i.
4m.
4n.
4o.
4q.
Used email to communicate with an instructor
Discussed grades or assignments with an instructor
Talked about career plans with an instructor or advisor
Discussed ideas from readings or classes with instructors outside of class
Received prompt feedback (written or oral) from instructors on
performance
Worked with instructors on activities other than coursework
Analysis:


The overall NVCC score is slightly below the national average and also in
comparison with schools that are similar in size.
Within the NVCC system, all campuses except Manassas show fairly consistent
scores.
5
Support for Learners Benchmark
Comparative Data
100
80
49.8
49.4
60
44.0
48.6
44.2
47.9
49.8
50.0
40
20
0
AL
AN
LO
MA
WO
NVCC Peer
Nat'l
Support for Learners:
Students perform better and are more satisfied at colleges that are committed to their
success and cultivate positive working and social relationships among different groups
on campus.
9b.
9c.
9d.
9e.
9f.
13a.
13b.
Provided the support needed to help the student succeed at this college
Encouraged contact among students from different economic, social, and
racial or ethnic backgrounds
Helped student cope with non-academic responsibilities (work, family,
etc…)
Provided the support the student needed to thrive socially
Provided the financial support needed to afford education
Used academic advising/planning services
Used career counseling services
Analysis:


The NVCC averages are close to two points below the national average and
more than two points compared to the peer institutions.
Both Alexandria and Annandale campus show a higher rate of satisfaction.
However, Loudoun and Woodbridge campuses are at the lower end.
6
Comparative Benchmark Data for Selected Area Schools
Snapshot of Survey Results – Northern Virginia Community College
Snapshot of Survey Results: J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
7
Snapshot of Survey Results – Montgomery College
Snapshot of Survey Results – Prince George’s Community College
Analysis: NVCC’s benchmark report is better than that of J. Sargeant Reynolds
Community College. However, Montgomery College and Prince George’s Community
College indicate better student satisfaction levels than NVCC.
8