Student Learning and Development Outcomes Resource

A new resource for Student Learning and Development Outcomes is available for free in the CAS store.

CAS has recently released the Student Learning and Development Outcomes free standalone resource, which defines and clarifies the six broad categories, or domains, for learning and development outcomes. These include: 

1. Knowledge acquisition, construction, integration, and application
   
2. Cognitive complexity
3. Intrapersonal development
4. Interpersonal competence
5. Humanitarianism and civic engagement
6. Practical competence

This CAS resource defines and clarifies each of the six domains by identifying learning and development outcome dimensions. Offering dimensions of learning within corresponding domains allows for a more focused assessment approach based on institutional mission and priorities. This resource acts as a supplement to the 50+ Functional Area Standards available individually or collectively as part of the CAS Professional Standards for Higher Education 11th Version.

In 2003, CAS established sixteen domains of learning and development outcomes. After the publication of Learning Reconsidered 2 (2006), CAS reviewed the student learning and development outcomes it had promoted and decided an integration of both outcome documents would enhance the profession's efforts in promoting student learning and development. 

As a result of this publication, CAS hosted a think tank which included writers of Learning Reconsidered 2, CAS directors, and prominent practitioners and faculty members in student affairs to make recommendations for a revised student learning and development outcomes document.

Through this effort, CAS developed the aforementioned six domains for its learning and development outcomes document. For each of the domains, CAS offers examples illustrating achievement of the student learning and development outcomes.

The CAS Board of Directors reviewed and approved the six domains, learning and development outcome dimensions, and examples of learning and development outcomes at its October 2008 meeting and have been embedded in each functional area standard since.

Student affairs leaders looking to assess their institutions' learning and development outcomes will find additional value in CAS's Frameworks for Assessing Learning and Development Outcomes (2nd edition), which provides practical and accessible learning outcomes assessment guidance.