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Critical Thinking Assessment Test
During the 2011-2012 academic year, UW will engage in a pilot study using the Critical Thinking Assessment Test (CAT) to assess student learning at the programmatic level. The test was initially developed by faculty at Tennessee Tech University. It has since been refined by faculty across the nation with the assistance of several National Science Foundation grants. The CAT measures critical thinking and real world problem-solving skills. Three programs at the university with an identified critical thinking student learning outcome will be participating in a year long project. The programs participating are Pharmacy, Social Work, and Veterinary Sciences. Each program will employ a different methodology for testing students based on their courses and program requirements. In all, about 300 UW students will be tested during the year.
Unlike other nationally developed tests, the CAT is scored by university faculty. Over the year, the Office of Academic Affairs in conjunction with the ECTL, will organize several scoring sessions with faculty and staff from the three pilot programs and from other disciplines across the university. These scoring sessions will last approximately eight hours. Faculty agreeing to score will need to attend the entire session. As appreciation for scoring, UW scorers will receive $250 to be used for travel, supplies, or professional development for each all-day scoring session.
More information about this exciting new critical thinking initiative will become available in the coming months. There will be a general session about this project during the 2011 Fall Assessment Forum, scheduled on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 from 3-4:30 p.m.. This is a great opportunity to talk to faculty participating in the project about their reasons for participating, their experiences to date, and plans for using the CAT during the year.
Faculty interested in learning more about the CAT test or interested in participating in a scoring session should contact Erika Prager at 766-2897 or ekprager@uwyo.edu.