University of Wisconsin-Stout
ER-13: Sustainability Literacy Assessment

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This was the fifth year an online pre- and post-course Qualtrics survey was used to assess this general education objective. Environmental beliefs, actions, and knowledge was measured using 34 different questions with 17 identified as beliefs (B) and 17 identified as actions (A) (Table 1). Student responses were recorded using a 5-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (strongly disagree).

At the beginning of the spring 2011 semester, an email was sent to all students enrolled in BIO 111 asking them to click on the survey link to take the survey. During the last week of the semester, the same students were asked to take the post-survey. The same questions were used for both surveys.

RESULTS: Pre-course and Post-course Environmental Beliefs/Actions Survey: Total enrollment for the course was 168 (7 sections with 24 students each); 147 (88%) students responded to the pre-course survey and 78 (46%) responded to the post-course survey. Independent T-tests were performed for the results of each question. The results indicate that the scores for a majority of the survey questions were higher for the post-course survey compared to the pre-course survey (Table 1). Of the 34 survey questions, 20 resulted in significant differences between the pre and post course answers. The three questions with the greatest difference between pre and post course means were: Question #33: I have participated in service learning projects that were part of a college course. Question #22: I know the rules for recycling on campus and in the City. Question #32: I recycle because it’s the law. Fourteen questions revealed no statistically significant differences between the pre and post course answers. However, the mean scores for these questions were closer to 2.0 on the Likert Scale (agree) for both the pre and post course surveys, indicating these students most likely had a positive environmental ethic before enrolling in the course. Many students choose to take BIO 111, over other general education science courses, because they have a strong interest in environmental issues. The question that scored 3.6 (disagree) for both pre and post course was: Question #23: I am involved with environmental organizations and clubs.

A sustainability literacy assessment has also been conducted in the following courses: * BIO 141 * PSYC 281 * AEC 237 Information was obtained by speaking with faculty in each academic department about conducting literacy assessments. The Assistant Chancellor for Planning, Assessment, Research and Quality Office was also asked to determine if a campus-wide assessment was conducted. The above literacy assessments were conducted by course instructors.