There is an impressive amount of quantitative evidence documenting positive student outcomes of learning communities in terms of retention and academic performance (Hotchkiss, Moore, & Pitts, 2006; Tinto, 2000; Zhao & Kuh, 2004). While this quantitative information significantly contributes to our knowledge about learning communities, it…

The Engaged Learning Index was designed by the authors to assess students' emotional, intellectual, and behavioral engagement in learning in a brief format that can be used in single courses or across multiple courses and institutions. In this study, evidence is presented for the reliability and predictive validity of the instrument based on a…

Within the field of higher education, the majority of quantitative research focuses on college students. Given the limitations of institutional databases, surveys of college students have become one of the largest and most frequently used data sources. In addition, surveys of college students play an increasingly important role in evaluating…

Community colleges are pulling back the covers of student performance in favor of a new "culture of evidence." One hundred two community colleges in 22 states have joined Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count. Backed by a partnership of foundations and research organizations, the effort provides funding, coaching, and data-driven…