External Assessment
To better understand how Cal Poly students learn, we utilize external, national assessments as a source of information. By including external assessments as part of our overall plan, we can see how our students are comparing with university students across the country and deepen our understanding of our students' achievements and identify areas of improvement.
Surveys of Engagement
Every three years, Cal Poly participates in a national series of surveys that provide indirect measures1 of student and faculty engagement. These three surveys are as follows:
| Audience | Survey Launch | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) |
|
COMPLETED IN FALL TERM 2024 (9/17/2024 - 10/4/2024) |
| National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) |
|
2/25/25 - 5/12/25 |
| Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE) |
|
3/14/2025 - 5/5/2025 |
Cal Poly compares these results with direct measures2.
¹ An "indirect measure" in this case asks students to self-report on learning and experiences.
² A "direct measure" is one that requires students to demonstrate a certain level of proficiency for a skill or particular learning outcome.
Last updated: 3/24/2025