Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) Fact Sheet for Freshmen, Fall 2013
What is the CLA?
The CLA is a national program that evaluates the effectiveness of a college's curriculum and teaching by carefully assessing the critical thinking, analytical reasoning, writing and problem-solving abilities of its students. Basically, your performance on the two-hour assessment will help Brooklyn College answer an important question: Are we — the faculty and administrators — doing well enough in comparison to similar colleges and universities across the United States?
Why do schools use the CLA?
Schools participate in the CLA to estimate how, and by how much, they contribute to their students' development of higher order skills. Collecting this information is one step in the process of improving teaching and learning.
Why is your participation important to Brooklyn College?
Not only does your participation in the CLA help to demonstrate Brooklyn College's contribution to your learning, but by attempting to do your best on the CLA, you also are helping Brooklyn College grow and improve the education that it offers to you and your peers.
What's in it for me?
In addition to the unique distinction of being one of the Brooklyn College Chosen 100, you will receive a free $50 VISA gift card following your successful completion of the CLA.
What is the format of the CLA?
Students take both a Performance Task and a series of Selected Response Questions. The Performance Task presents a real-world situation in which an issue, problem or conflict is identified and students are asked to assume a relevant role and respond to the situation using information provided in a small collection of documents. The Selected Response section contains 25 questions: 10 focus on scientific and quantitative reasoning skills, 10 on critical reading skills and five on the ability to critique an argument. All CLA tasks are administered online. No prior knowledge of any particular field is necessary in order to perform well on the CLA.
How do I register for the CLA at Brooklyn College, and when will it be given?
If you are an incoming freshman, you will receive an e-mail invitation to participate from Senior Vice President and Provost William A. Tramontano in early September. To register for the CLA, all you have to do is follow the online registration instructions contained in this e-mail.
The CLA will be given in the Brooklyn College Testing Center, 245 West End Building, during September and October. If you have any questions about the CLA or your invitation to participate, please e-mail us or call 718.951.5916.
