What changes were made to the 2005 Benchmark Report?
While institutional benchmark scores are still calculated the same way as in 2004, comparison group scores in this report are now calculated at the student level. For example, your institution’s benchmark scores (i.e. the average score for students at your institution) are now compared with the average benchmark scores for students in your institutional comparison groups. This student level comparison is identical to the comparisons NSSE provides in the institutional reports you receive in summer and has the additional benefit of providing statistical comparisons and effect sizes for these comparisons. This shift to student-level comparisons, however, also means that the Engagement Index and decile charts, both utilizing institution-level data, are no longer included in this report. Their removal reflects the changes discussed above and further serves to discourage using the information for ranking purposes. As an alternative to these reports two new reference groups have been provided
