Competency Assessment
Competency assessment at VMI is driven by a legislative mandate to engage in assessment of student achievement (Code of Virginia § 23.1-203)
The mandate is executed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) in cooperation with public institutions of higher education. SCHEV’s policy on Student Learning Assessment and Quality in Undergraduate Education (2017) mandates that institutions assess student achievement in at least six competency areas. Four core competencies must be assessed by all institutions:
1. Civic Engagement
2. Critical Thinking
3. Quantitative Reasoning
4. Written Communication
Two additional competencies that reflect ongoing institutional priorities for student learning and development shall be selected by individual institutions. For VMI, these are:
5. Oral Communication
6. Scientific Reasoning
Data Collection & Reporting Schedule
VMI will report on two competencies each year according to the following cycle:
Competency | Academic Year Reported |
Critical Thinking | 2024-2025 (Repeats 2027-2028) |
Oral Communication | 2024-2025 (Repeats 2027-2028) |
Written Communication | 2025-2026 (Repeats 2028-2029) |
Scientific Reasoning | 2025-2026 (Repeats 2028-2029) |
Civic Engagement | 2026-2027 (Repeats 2029-2030) |
Quantitative Reasoning | 2026-2027 (Repeats 2029-2030) |
*Reports are available based on the year reported
Assessment Reports
AY2021-22 Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
AY2022-23 Written Communication and Scientific Reasoning
AY2023-24 Quantitative Reasoning and Civic Engagement
Questions? If you have any questions or would like to meet to discuss your assessment practices, please contact MAJ Daniel Marshall at marshalldr@vmi.edu.