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Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
DASA Assessment

Quantitative Literacy at NC State

Expectation

The Pack Proficiencies (General Education Competencies), including quantitative literacy, develop through multiple and sustained experiences across the General Education Program (GEP). The GEP provides a foundation for quantitative literacy and other Pack Proficiencies (General Education Competencies). It is expected that each degree program provide additional support to build upon that foundation.

Quantitative Literacy at NC State

Quantitative literacy (QL) – also known as numeracy or quantitative reasoning – is a “habit of mind” competency, and comfort working with quantitative data. Individuals with strong QL skills possess the ability to reason and solve quantitative problems from a wide array of authentic contexts and everyday life situations; the understanding and creation of sophisticated arguments supported by quantitative evidence; and the ability to clearly communicate those arguments in a variety of formats using words, tables, graphs, and mathematical equations as appropriate.

Math and physics double-major Mia de los Reyes. Photo by Marc Hall

Outcomes

  • A generally educated NC State student will perform basic calculations using mathematical reasoning and problem solving in core areas including arithmetic, numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, and statistics. (AAC&U Calculation)
  • A generally educated NC State student will convert relevant information into various quantitative forms (e.g., equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, maps, words) (AAC&U- Representation)
  • A generally educated NC State student will explain information generated or presented in quantitative or mathematical forms (e.g., equations, expressions, graphs, diagrams, tables, and words) (AAC&U- Interpretation)
  • A generally educated NC State student will make judgments and draw appropriate conclusions based on the quantitative, logical and statistical analysis of data, while recognizing the limits of this analysis (AAC&U- Application/Analysis)
  • A generally educated NC State student will express quantitative, logical, and statistical evidence in support of the argument or purpose of the work (in terms of what evidence is used and how it is formatted, presented, and contextualized). (AAC&U-Communication)
Quantitative Literacy Outcomes Map

Assessment of Quantitative Literacy

Current Assessment Activities

In Fall 2021, DASA Assessment and the Office of Assessment and Accreditation* will administer the HEIghten Quantitative Literacy Assessment to first-year students. Assessment staff are partnering with faculty in Health and Exercise Studies to administer the assessment to students in first-year only sections of HES classes. This partnership results in a more representative sample of the first-year cohort. The assessment is to be administered online in proctored and unproctored sessions to provide students a variety of opportunities to participate.

*In January 2020 the Office of Assessment (in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs) was reorganized and two new assessment offices were created: DASA Assessment and the Office of Assessment & Accreditation (located under the Provost’s Office). Assessment of the General Education Competencies is shared among these two offices. Direction and leadership for the assessment of the General Education Competencies is provided by the Office of Assessment and Accreditation.

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Findings