NSSE - Level of Academic Challenge

Challenging intellectual and creative work is central to student learning and collegiate quality. Colleges and universities promote high levels of student achievement by emphasizing the importance of academic effort and setting high expectations for student performance.

	UW-L	UW-System		Carnegie Peers
	Meana	Mean	Effect Sizeb	Mean	Effect Size
Freshmen	52.2	49.3**	.24	51.8
Seniors	56.9	54.6***	.16	56.1

a Scores are averages based on a 100 point scale on which higher scores indicate higher levels of endorsement. * = p < .05, ** = p < .01, *** = p < .001
b Effect size indicates “practical significance” of the mean difference. In practice, an effect size of .2 is considered small, .5 moderate, and .8 large. Effect sizes below .2 generally do not suggest means are practically significant.

Data based on 2008 NSSE. UW-L First-Year
n = 882, Senior n = 983.

Level of Academic Challenge Items

Preparing for class (studying, reading, writing, rehearsing, etc. related to academic program)
Number of assigned textbooks, books, or book-length packs of course readings
Number of written papers or reports of 20 pages or more; number of written papers or reports of between 5 and 19 pages; and number of written papers or reports of fewer than 5 pages
Coursework emphasizing analysis of the basic elements of an idea, experience or theory
Coursework emphasizing synthesis and organizing of ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships
Coursework emphasizing the making of judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods
Coursework emphasizing application of theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations
Working harder than you thought you could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Campus environment emphasizing time studying and on academic work