Challenging intellectual and creative work is central to student learning and collegiate quality. Colleges and universities promote high levels of student achievement by emphasizing the importance of academic effort and setting high expectations for student performance.

Components of this Benchmark:

• Preparing for class
• Number of assigned readings
• Number of written papers
• Coursework emphasizing analysis of the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory
• Coursework emphasizing synthesis and organizing of ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships
• Coursework emphasizing the making of judgments about the value of information, arguments, methods
• Coursework emphasizing application of theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations
• Working harder than intended to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
• Campus environment emphasizing time studying and on academic work

Students learn firsthand how experts think about and solve practical problems by interacting with faculty members inside and outside the classroom. As a result, their teachers become role models, mentors and guides for continuous, life-long learning.

Eckerd Highlights:

Both Eckerd freshmen and seniors reported a rate of meaningful faculty interactions that exceeded the averages for its Arts & Sciences Baccalaureate peers as well as the average score for all NSSE participants.

Components of this Benchmark:

• Discussed grades or assignments with an instructor
• Discussed career plans with a faculty member or advisor
• Discussed ideas from your reading or classes with faculty members outside of class
• Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework
• Received prompt feedback from faculty on academic performance
• Worked with faculty member on a research project outside of course or program requirements

Students learn more when they are intensely involved in their education and asked to think about what they are learning in different settings. Collaborating with others in solving problems or mastering difficult material prepares students for the messy, unscripted problems they will encounter daily during and after college.

Components of this Benchmark:

• Asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions
• Made a class presentation
• Worked with other students on projects during class
• Worked with classmates outside of class to prepare class assignments
• Tutored or taught other students
• Participated in community-based project as part of regular course
• Discussed ideas from reading or classes with others outside of class

Complementary learning opportunities enhance academic programs. Diversity experiences teach students valuable things about themselves and others. Technology facilitates collaboration between peers and instructors. Internships, community service, and senior capstone courses provide opportunities to integrate and apply knowledge.

Eckerd Highlights:

Eckerd students are constantly given the opportunity to see the applications of their education and to integrate it into the local and global community. This statement is borne out by the fact that 99% of Eckerd seniors reported participating in volunteer or community service work while at Eckerd. 67% of seniors had studied abroad. 71% of seniors had done some form of independent study or had a hand in designing some feature of their major – allowing them to make their education responsive to demonstrated needs and problems beyond the campus walls. Lastly, 97% of responding seniors noted that they had participated in a culminating senior experience, such as a capstone course, senior project or thesis, comprehensive exam, etc.

Components of this Benchmark:

• Participating in co-curricular activities (organizations, publications, student government, sports, etc.)
• Practicum, internship, field experience, co-op experience, or clinical assignment
• Community service or volunteer work
• Foreign language coursework and study abroad
• Independent study or self-designed major
• Culminating senior experience
• Serious conversations with students of different religious beliefs, political opinions, or personal values
• Had serious conversations with students of different race or ethnicity
• Using electronic technology to discuss or complete an assignment
• Campus environment encouraging contact among other students from different economic, social, and racial or ethnic backgrounds
• Participate in a learning community or some other formal program where groups of students take two or more classes together

Students perform better and are more satisfied at colleges that are committed to their success and cultivate positive working and social relations among different groups on campus.

Components of this Benchmark:

• Campus environment provides the support you need to help you succeed academically
• Campus environment helps you cope with your non-academic responsibilities
• Campus environment provides the support you need to thrive socially
• Quality of relationships with other students
• Quality of relationships with faculty members
• Quality of relationships with administrative personnel and offices