General Education Curriculum

Program Review

May 1996

Appendix C
Fall 1995 Student Survey Results

The General Education Review Committee disseminated a survey to solicit student responses in regards to the effectiveness of the present General Education Curriculum. More specifically the results of this survey were expected to assess how various students such as the traditional/non-traditional, special needs and different ethnic groups felt about the General Education Curriculum. The survey was distributed to a random sample of classes so as to include each of these groups.

SUBJECTS

We have randomly chosen one or two sections from each department to be our subjects. There is a total of twenty-six departments. A section must satisfy the following criteria to be a candidate:

1. It must be at 300- or 400-level. This is because we want to get input from juniors and seniors who have much experience with general education courses. Graduate classes are excluded.
2. It must be published in the Fall 1995 schedule book with a section number, a meeting place, and a meeting time. Both classes on the Millersville campus and offered downtown are included. Classes excluded are those under Respiratory Therapy and Student Teaching with students dispersed in different locations.
3. It must belong to an established department. In other words, classes offered under Military Science are excluded. Classes under Science and Mathematics (with code HNRS XXX.XX), under International Studies (with code INTL XXX.XX) are grouped according to the instructors' departments as appropriate.

As different departments offer different numbers of eligible sections (ranging from Economics with three to English with fifty-five, an average of 19.46 sections), we decided to choose two sections from a department if it offers more than the average. On the other hand, only one section is chosen from a department if it offers fewer than the average.

INSTRUMENT

We have designed a two-page questionnaire. The questions are divided into two major parts. The first part deals with general education courses. It is based on the published objectives of the General Education Curriculum in the most current MU catalog and additional national objectives supplied by Dr. McCade. Objectives of Perspectives and Physical Education courses are included because these are under the curriculum in the catalog. Answers were obtained on a seven-point scale. There are two open-ended questions soliciting the subjects' individual good or bad experiences and changes they would like to see in the curriculum. As our assignment is on minorities and special populations, the second part of the questionnaire deals with demographic data.

Subjects marked their answers on scantron sheets and the Computing Center helped us with the computation when the survey was completed. A copy of the questionnaire is attached at the end of this report.

METHOD

For each section chosen as a sample, we first contacted the instructor to see when (and if) we could go in to the class for ten to fifteen minutes to do the survey. For classes that we could not visit due to time conflicts, we asked the instructor to conduct it.

When we went to a class, we first explained who we were and the purpose of the survey. Then, we distributed the questionnaires and the scantron sheets and collected them when they were done.

1995 General Education Curriculum Survey Statistical Results

There were 504 returned scantron sheets. Some of the subjects did not completely answer all questions. The number of responses (N), the mean, and standard deviation of each ranked question are shown below in ascending order on score. A lower score means more agreement: 1=strongly agree, 2=agree, 3=undecided, 4=disagree, 5=strongly disagree.

Question	N	mean	standard deviation
5. Gen. Ed. courses have broadened my understanding of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.	504	2.1726190	0.8645689
1. Gen. Ed. courses have improved my written skills.	503	2.4493042	0.9493731
10. Gen. Ed. courses have enhanced my sense of inquiry and curiosity.	501	2.4590818	0.9406500
4. Gen. Ed. courses have enhanced my critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem solving, and decision making skills.	504	2.4623016	0.8954088
17. Perspectives courses have demonstrated how different areas of knowledge relate and can be used in complementary ways.	362	2.4972376	1.0103306
19. Perspectives courses have encouraged me to apply analytical and critical thinking abilities in resolving social, cultural, scientific, or aesthetic problems.	356	2.5786517	1.0887359
18. Perspectives courses have encouraged me to make independent and responsible value judgments and decisions.	357	2.6274510	1.0432380
2. Gen. Ed. courses have improved my oral skills.	504	2.6289683	0.9475479
16. Perspectives courses have encouraged me to integrate knowledge acquired in previous course work.	365	2.6410959	1.1044162
21. The Health and Physical Education requirement has contributed positively to my educational experience.	408	2.6495098	1.2450195
6. Gen. Ed. courses have encouraged me to view myself and others as valuable individuals who are enhanced by our differences.	504	2.6904762	0.9684017
3. Gen. Ed. courses have improved my listening skills.	504	2.7103175	0.9622149
13. Gen. Ed. courses have challenged me to be an independent learner using original thinking and conducting my own research.	502	2.7171315	1.0244834
8. Gen. Ed. courses have increased my multicultural awareness.	502	2.7689243	1.0431750
9. Gen. Ed. courses have increased my ability to take a comprehensive approach to global concerns.	502	2.8127490	0.9225479
12. I can easily see how the different parts of my Gen. Ed. curriculum fit together to form a logical whole.	502	2.8406375	1.0826623
11. Gen. Ed. courses have enhanced my sense of appreciation of truth and beauty.	502	3.0517928	0.9753994
7. Gen. Ed. courses have encouraged me to understand and value the importance of community and have helped me to become a member of the Millersville community.	503	3.3439364	0.9462644
14. Gen. Ed. courses that I wanted to take were easily available.	502	3.6434263	1.1863943

15. How many Perspectives courses have you taken?

answer	frequency
0	169
1	216
2	104
more than 2	13

20. Have you taken any Physical Education courses?

Yes	390
No	107

As we can see, the objective that has been fulfilled the most is: Gen. Ed. courses have broadened my understanding of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences (overall mean is 2.1726190, standard deviation is 0.8645689). The worst problem is the availability of General Education courses that students want to take (overall mean is 3.6434263, standard deviation is 1.1863943). In general, students do not disagree that our General Education curriculum has achieved the stated objectives.

On the whole, the General Education program seems to be effective in serving all classes of students. The student survey, however, did uncover the following differences.

Significant Differences Among African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Non-Minorities:

1. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 14: Gen. Ed. courses that I wanted to take were easily available. The n-way t-test shows an F-value of 3.63 (p=0.0063). The means of all groups are:

Mean	N	Group
3.6989	455	Non-minority
3.3333	27	African American
3.1429	7	Hispanic American
2.8333	6	Asian American
2.4286	7	American Indian

Both the Waller-Duncan k-ratio t test and t tests (LSD) show that there is only one difference among the groups: non-minorities are significantly different from Asians. The Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsh multiple F test, the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsh multiple range Test, and the Tukey's studentized range (HSD) Test do not show any difference among the groups.

2. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 17: Perspectives courses have demonstrated how different areas of knowledge relate and can be used in complementary ways. The n-way t-test shows an F-value of 2.31 (p=0.0574). The means of all groups are:

Mean	N	Group
3.20	5	American Indian
2.5652	23	African American
2.5046	325	Non-minority
1.8333	6	Asian American
1.333	3	Hispanic American

t tests (LSD) show that:

a. American Indian students are different from Asian American and Hispanic American students.
b. African American students are different from Hispanic American students.
c. Non-minority students are different from Hispanic American students.
d. Asian American students are different from American Indian Students.
e. Hispanic American students are different from American Indian, African American, and non-minority students.

All other tests show only one difference: American Indian students are different from Hispanic American students.

3. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 21: The Health and Physical Education requirement has contributed positively to my educational experience. The n-way t-test shows an F-value of 2.31 (p=0.0576). The means of all groups are:

Mean	N	Group
3.0000	4	Hispanic American
2.6883	369	Non-minority
2.4000	25	African American
2.2000	5	Asian American
1.2000	5	American Indian

The Waller-Duncan k-ratio t test, the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsh multiple range test, and the Tukey's studentized range (HSD) test all show that there is only a difference is between Hispanic American and American Indian students. T tests (LSD) show that American Indian students are different from both Hispanic and non-minority students. Lastly, the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsh multiple F test shows there is no difference among all groups.

Significant Differences Between Male and Female Students:

1. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 6: Gen. Ed. courses have encouraged me to view myself and others as valuable individuals who are enhanced by our differences. The t-test shows a t-value of 2.8322 (p=0.0048). The mean of female students is 2.58585859 and the mean of male students is 2.83854167.

2. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 8: Gen. Ed. courses have increased my multicultural awareness. The t-test shows a t-value of 2.4962 (p=0.0129). The mean of female students is 2.67118644 and the mean of male students is 2.91145833.

Significant Differences Between PACE and Non-PACE Students:

1. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 21: The Health and Physical Education requirement has contributed positively to my educational experience. The t-test shows a t-value of -2.0395 (p=0.0421). The mean of PACE students is 2.10 and the mean of non-PACE students is 2.68266667.

Significant Differences Between Disabled and Non-Disabled Students:

1. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 7: Gen. Ed. courses have encouraged me to understand and value the importance of community and have helped me to become a member of the Millersville community. The t-test shows a t-value of -2.16 (p=0.0313). The mean of disabled students is 2.50 and the mean of non-disabled students is 3.34166667.

Significant Differences Between Veterans (of the Military) and Non-Veteran Students:

1. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 2: Gen. Ed. courses have improved my oral skills. The t-test shows a t-value of -1.9959 (p=0.0465). The mean of veteran students is 2.08333 and the mean of non-veteran students is 2.6350211.

2. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 12: I can easily see how the different parts of my Gen. Ed. curriculum fit together to form a logical whole. The t-test shows a t-value of -1.9005 (p=0.058). The mean of veteran students is 2.25 and the mean of non-veteran students is 2.85412262.

Significant Differences Between Traditional and Non-Traditional Students:

1. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 9: Gen. Ed. courses have increased my ability to take a comprehensive approach to global concerns. The t-test shows a t-value of -2.2775 (p=0.0232). The mean of non-traditional students is 2.72047244 and the mean of traditional students is 2.90725806.

Significant Differences Between Foreign and Domestic Students:

1. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 1: Gen. Ed. courses have improved my written skills. The t-test shows a t-value of -3.0469 (p=0.0069). The mean of foreign students is 2.06666667 and the mean of domestic students is 2.45127119.

2. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 6: Gen. Ed. courses have encouraged me to view myself and others as valuable individuals who are enhanced by our differences. The t-test shows a t-value of -2.2369 (p=0.0257). The mean of foreign students is 2.13333333 and the mean of domestic students is 2.69978858.

3. There is a significant difference in the means of answers to question 11: Gen. Ed. courses have enhanced my sense of appreciation of truth and beauty.The t-test shows a t-value of -2.304 (p=0.0216). The mean of foreign students is 2.46666667 and the mean of domestic students is 3.05720339.

1995 General Education Curriculum Survey

If you have already answered this questionnaire before, please DO NOT do so again.

Please read each statement carefully then select one of these five alternatives. Please mark your choices on the scantron sheet.

Question	strongly agree	agree	undecided	disagree	strongly disagree
1. Gen. Ed. courses have improved my written skills.	A	B	C	D	E
2. Gen. Ed. courses have improved my oral skills.	A	B	C	D	E
3. Gen. Ed. courses have improved my listening skills.	A	B	C	D	E
4. Gen. Ed. courses have enhanced my critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem solving, and decision making skills.	A	B	C	D	E
5. Gen. Ed. courses have broadened my understanding of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.	A	B	C	D	E
6. Gen. Ed. courses have encouraged me to view myself and others as valuable individuals who are enhanced by our differences.	A	B	C	D	E
7. Gen. Ed. courses have encouraged me to understand and value the importance of community and have helped me to become a member of the Millersville community.	A	B	C	D	E
8. Gen. Ed. courses have increased my multicultural awareness.	A	B	C	D	E
9. Gen. Ed. courses have increased my ability to take a comprehensive approach to global concerns.	A	B	C	D	E
10. Gen. Ed. courses have enhanced my sense of inquiry and curiosity.	A	B	C	D	E
11. Gen. Ed. courses have enhanced my sense of appreciation of truth and beauty.	A	B	C	D	E
12. I can easily see how the different parts of my Gen. Ed. curriculum fit together to form a logical whole.	A	B	C	D	E
13. Gen. Ed. courses have challenged me to be an independent learner using original thinking and conducting my own research.	A	B	C	D	E
14. Gen. Ed. courses that I wanted to take were easily available.	A	B	C	D	E

15. How many Perspectives courses have you taken?

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. more than 2

If your choice is A, please go to question #20.
If your choice is B, C, or D, please go to question #16.

Question	strongly agree	agree	undecided	disagree	strongly disagree
16. Perspectives courses have encouraged me to integrate knowledge acquired in previous course work.	A	B	C	D	E
17. Perspectives courses have demonstrated how different areasof knowledge relate and can be used in complementary ways.	A	B	C	D	E
18. Perspectives courses have encouraged me to make independent and responsible value judgments and decisions.	A	B	C	D	E
19. Perspectives courses have encouraged me to apply analytical and critical thinking abilities in resolving social, cultural, scientific, or aesthetic problems.	A	B	C	D	E

20. Have you taken any Physical Education courses?

A. Yes
B. No

If NO, please SKIP question #21.
If YES, please GO TO question #21.

Question	strongly agree	agree	undecided	disagree	strongly disagree
21. The Health and Physical Education requirement has contributed positively to my educational experience.	A	B	C	D	E

Additional Comments (good or frustrating experiences):

What changes would you like to see in the General Education curriculum of the future?

22. Are you a

A. male
B. female?

23. Are you an African American?

A. YES
B. NO

24. Are you a Hispanic American?

A. YES
B. NO

25. Are you an Asian American?

A. YES
B. NO

26 Are you an American Indian?

A. YES
B. NO

27. Are you a foreign student?

A. YES
B. NO

28. Are you a transfer student?

A. YES
B. NO

29. Are you a non-degree student?

A. YES
B. NO

30. Are you a part-time student?

A. YES
B. NO

31. Are you a PACE student?

A. YES
B. NO

32. Are you a disabled student?

A. YES
B. NO

33. Are you a veteran of the military?

A. YES
B. NO

34. Are you a parent?

A. YES
B. NO

35. Are you a commuter?

A. YES
B. NO

36. Are you twenty-three years old or older?

A. YES
B. NO

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