How are we doing? Tracking the quality of the undergraduate experience, 1960s to the present

This paper examines outcomes and student efforts devoted to educationally p urposeful activities at different points. While substantial proportions of students make noteworthy progress in intellectual and communication skills, personal and social development, and vocational training, declines occurre d in literature, arts, science, and values development. One explanation for the declines is that students on average expend less effort in many areas since the mid-1980s, even though they are getting higher grades.