Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) Overview
The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) is a Web administered, value-added assessment program developed by the Council for Aid to Education (CAE) that measures how an institution as a whole contributes to student development and learning. The CLA is comprised of "essay-type" questions designed to assess critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and written communication. ASU is among hundreds of other institutions that use the CLA on an annual basis to measure the value an institution contributes to student learning. For more information on the CLA in general, visit CAE’s Website: http://www.cae.org/content/pro_collegiate.htm.
ASU began administering the CLA to freshmen and seniors in the 2004-2005 academic year, testing between approximately 600-1000 students annually. ASU began a large scale study using the CLA in fall 2008, and the Office of University Evaluation coordinated testing to for over 9,500 first year composition students. A subset of these students will be tracked over their collegiate experience at ASU to understand the value ASU adds to student learning and development. In spring 2009 our office also coordinated the administration of the CLA for approximately 2,000 seniors.
CLA Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Collegiate Learning Assessment?
The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) is a web administered, value-added assessment program that measures how an institution as a whole contributes to student development and learning. The CLA is comprised of "essay-type" questions designed to assess critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and written communication.
What does the CLA measure?
The CLA measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and written communication skills by responding to real world tasks. The CLA is an open response exam, not a multiple choice exam.
Why is the CLA study being conducted?
The CLA is an outcomes-based assessment that will allow ASU to better understand the “value-added” by our educational programs. We will examine the scores of ASU students overall to determine to what extent ASU has taught students the skills they need to be successful after graduation. The CLA also provides students with important feedback on their critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem solving, and written communication skills.
How will I benefit from the CLA?
In addition to successfully completing a requirement of the university assessment program, you will receive your individual CLA scores from the organization that administers the exam as well as comparisons of your scores to other students at ASU and across the nation. Last year, a large number of ASU seniors scored above their expected level on the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) and we expect that many of you will do so as well. To recognize your achievement, if you score above your expected level on the CLA, you will receive a letter from Executive Vice President and University Provost Elizabeth D. Capaldi recognizing your achievement on this exam. Students who received these letters last year included them in graduate school applications or job applications to demonstrate their high achievement with regard to critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem solving, and written communication skills. These skills are highly valued in both further education and in the job market.
When will I receive a score report?
The Council for Aid to Education (CAE), the test developers, will send you your score report directly to the email address you provided when you took the exam. If you need to update your email address please contact CAE directly:
cla@cae.org or (212) 217-0700.
How will confidentiality of data be maintained?
Participant enrollment and assessment data will be maintained in a manner that will ensure confidentiality. Only researchers in the Office of University Evaluation (OUE) and the Council for Aid to Education (CAE) will have access to student-level data. Test scores and data that could identify or potentially identify individual participants will be reported only in aggregate form.
Who can I contact for more information?
The Office of University Evaluation at ASU is coordinating this study. For additional information email this office at cla@asu.edu or call (480)965-9291.
