WEST PLAINS, Mo. – For more than 10 years, students at Missouri State University-West Plains have scored above the national average in all categories of the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) examination, university officials announced.
Results of the test, which is administered nationwide to graduates of two-year degree programs, were recently released for 2014 graduates and show Missouri State-West Plains students scored above the national mean score in all five categories of the examination. Those categories include writing skills, mathematics, reading, critical thinking and science reasoning. Graduates have scored at or above the national average in all five subject areas for 19 consecutive years.
“The outstanding performance of our students on this test year after year shows that our academic program is one of the best values in higher education in terms of quality and cost,” said Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett. “This is independent, empirical data that proves our students are learning what is expected at an institution of higher education based on national standards.”
“It is noteworthy that the average scores for graduates of Missouri State-West Plains have, in all five areas of the CAAP, regularly exceeded the national norms,” said Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs/Institutional Research Pat Walsh. “The faculty at Missouri State-West Plains is to be commended for their expectations of our students and for the learning environment they consistently provide.”
Results of the testing show Missouri State-West Plains students posted a 62.8 mean score in writing compared to the national average of 61.5. In math, their mean score was 56.5 compared to the national mean of 56. In reading, Missouri State-West Plains students had a 61.5 mean score compared to the national average of 60.2, and in critical thinking, they posted a 63.2 mean score compared to 60.8 nationally. In science, students posted a 61.1 mean score compared to 59.2 nationally.
“University officials are especially proud this year of the results in critical thinking and science where 76 percent (critical thinking) and 77 percent (science) of those graduates taking these examinations scored above the national norm,” Walsh said. “Critical thinking skills are especially important for college graduates to develop, and this area is emphasized in the goals of our general education program. These results are encouraging and evidence that the efforts of faculty to help our students acquire this skill are being successful.”
Area residents interested in learning more about the academic programs available at Missouri State-West Plains can call the admissions office at 417-255-7955 or visit the campus’ website at http://www.wp.missouristate.edu.