Lake Wales, FL—According to the results of Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) recently received from the Council for Aid to Education, “Warner Southern College contributes more to the learning gains made by students than 79% (or 134) of the 176 four-year undergraduate institutions participating in the 2007-08 CLA. Warner Southern College performed above the expected level.”

Unlike many student assessments which are based upon student satisfaction and opinions, the CLA is a holistic and direct assessment of student performance. It tests higher order skills such as: critical thinking, analytical reasoning, written communication, and problem solving. Results from the CLA provide a measure of the value added by an institution to student learning.

By using this type of assessment, Warner Southern College fulfills the expectations laid forth by U.S. Department of Education Secretary, Margaret Spellings,that institutions of higher learning be able to demonstrate the value of the learning experience they provide, and do so in a transparent manner.

Warner Southern College’s results show that, while students come to school in their freshman year with a variety of basic skill sets, they leave the institution performing at a level that is expected of seniors on a national scale. These results also serve to show that Warner Southern College is appropriately preparing students for the workforce or to continue onto graduate school.

President Greg Hall stated that “These results verify and demonstrate the strength of the programs at Warner Southern College. I am incredibly proud of our faculty and students.”

Warner Southern College continually looks to improving the student learning experience and benchmarking performance is one of the ways institutions track performance and goal attainment. Participating in CLA helps to measure the effectiveness of various on-going student learning initiatives at the college.

Warner Southern College is celebrating its 40th year as a 4-year, post-secondary institution located in Lake Wales. The institution enjoys record enrollment and a diverse student body that is engaged and thriving. In addition to the main campus in Lake Wales, Florida, Warner Southern College offers courses online and at 8 off-site locations in Florida. Sites include the Lakeland Learning Center, the Orlando Learning Center, the Space Coast Learning Center in Melbourne, Florida, and classroom sites in Arcadia and Titusville. Additional Information about Warner Southern College is available on-line at: www.warner.edu.