Why is NIU conducting CLA? NIU participates in
an inniative called the Voluntary System of Accountability, a transparency initiative
for public 4-year institutions to share information about their university and
students in a common web template called The College Portrait.
Why am I being asked to participate in the
CLA? Each year, a sample of freshmen students and a sample of
senior students is selected to participate with this university assessment
initiative. Students are expected to participate in assessment activites whether
part of their regular instruction within a degree program, or for the university
as a whole. Please refer to the section of the Undergraduate Catalog titled
Assessment at Northern Illinois University, located at the
bottom of the Undergraduate Academic Programs page of the catalog.
When/where will I take the CLA? The testing window for Spring 2012 is February 1st through April 15th. You will need
to call or email the VSA Coordinator (contact info at the bottom of this page) to schedule by selecting from a number of different CLA testing sessions. Testing sessions will be available
mornings and afternoons on most weekdays. A select number of weekday evening and Saturday sessions will also be available.You should schedule a
session that does not conflict with your class schedule. <A schedule of available times will be posted here soon>
What will I be asked to do on the CLA? When you
begin the CLA, you will be randomly assigned to one of the following:
Performance Task (up to 90 min): Form responses to several open-ended
questions about a hypothetical scenario using a given set of evidentiary
documents.
Writing Task (two parts, up to 75 min. combined):
Make-an-Argument asks you to take and justify a position on an issue
Critique-an-Argument asks you to evaluate the reasoning of another's
argument *SAMPLE CLA TASKS CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING HERE*
What do I bring to the test session? You will
need your NIU One Card for proof of ID. You may wish to bring scratch paper and
a pencil but there will be some provided.
Is there a fee associated with this
assessment? The fees associated with CLA are covered by the
University and never by the student.
How will I (the student) benefit from taking the
CLA? You will receive an individualized score report,
highlighting your strengths and weaknesses in critical thinking, analytic reasoning and writing and comparing your performance to other
NIU students and to students across the country. You may wish to highlight your
participation and results on a resume or vita. The tasks and skills associated with CLA are
real-world oriented and will benefit you in continued education or as you enter
the workforce. If you plan to continue your education, the CLA may help to
prepare you for the kind of higher-order thinking skills that are assessed on
the GRE. Also, by participating in a process that will help determine the
value-added by NIU, you are helping to shape the perception of what it means to
have an NIU degree.
When will I receive my scores for CLA? Your
scores will be sent electronically in the semester following the one in which
you tested. Students who would like additional on-campus support regarding their
performance should see the Student
Resources section
Will I receive a grade for CLA? Your individual
results on the CLA will be returned to you in the semester following your
participation. Thus, performance on the CLA cannot and will not be considered in
your overall course grade. However, as participation in CLA is a required part
of your course, it may be figured into your participation grade for the
semester.
Who can I contact for more information? You may
visit the CLA website for more information at www.collegiatelearningassessment.org. Also, you may contact the
on-campus CLA coordinator in the NIU Office of Assessment Services: Will
Boelcke, wboelcke@niu.edu, 815.753.1197
