ABSTRACT
The colleges and universities were representative of four-year institutions across the country based on demographics and academic preparation. Having an academically prepared student body and an abundance of resources are obviously desirable characteristics. A study by the Higher Education Research Institute noted that virtually all faculty report that developing students' ability to think critically is a very important or essential goal of undergraduate education, as is promoting students' ability to write effectively. Assessing the learning of non-traditional students, such as those who enter college years after high school graduation or who typically attend community colleges, presents a unique set of challenges. A high proportion of students are progressing through higher education today without measurable gains in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and writing skills as assessed by the Collegiate Learning Assessment. On average, students in four-year institutions spend most of their "free time" socializing and recreating.
