Assessing Student Confidence as a Measure of Learning. Really?

            Three to five Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) were written for each of seven units for the Principles of Horticultural Science course, the foundation course for all horticulture majors. Specific strategies were implemented by the instructor to reinforce the SLOs throughout the semester. A pre- and post-assessment was given to the students enrolled in the course in the past five fall semesters to determine if the SLOs were being met. The assessment asked the students to indicate how confident they were in being able to do something reflective of the 50 SLOs, such as "distinguish between transpiration and respiration" or "write a scientific plant name". Confidence did change for most items from pre- to post-assessment. The comparison of the student's reported confidence and their academic performance in the course will be presented.