Hillsdale College Surveys: Evaluating Education and Freedom of Speech
Hillsdale College, an independent liberal arts college founded in 1844 in southern Michigan, has long been known for its classical liberal arts core curriculum and its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies. This commitment extends to its outreach efforts promoting civil and religious liberty, including the widely circulated monthly speech digest, Imprimis. The college utilizes surveys to gauge opinions on various aspects of education, freedom, and alumni engagement. These surveys provide valuable insights for the college itself, as well as for policymakers, opinion leaders, and the media.
K-12 Education Report Card: A National Campaign
Hillsdale College has launched a national campaign focused on K-12 education, driven by concerns that American schools have failed to adequately teach young people about the nation's heritage of liberty. The college expresses concern that K-12 schools are indoctrinating children in anti-American ideologies such as critical race theory. To address this, Hillsdale College has created the “K-12 Education Report Card,” a survey designed to bring accountability to K-12 schools nationwide. The college encourages individuals to grade K-12 education in their community and nationwide and makes the survey results available to policymakers, opinion leaders, and the media. The goal is to engage education activists and promote a more patriotic and accurate curriculum.
The survey aims to assess the state of education in local communities and across the nation. By making the results available to policymakers, opinion leaders, and the media, Hillsdale College hopes to influence the direction of K-12 education and ensure that students receive a comprehensive understanding of American history and values.
Alumni Survey: Gauging Satisfaction and Engagement
Hillsdale College conducts alumni surveys to understand their perceptions of the college and its programs. A recent survey revealed that alumni are generally pleased with the college and its efforts, with higher scores than the national average in areas such as value, campus atmosphere, campus opportunities, institutional outreach, religious values, financial aid packages, and student services. Alumni cited the pursuit of a classical liberal arts education and the college's academic reputation as key reasons for choosing Hillsdale.
The survey serves as a tool to identify trends and areas for improvement. Feedback from alumni events is also used for future planning. A notable statistic from the alumni survey is that a higher percentage of Hillsdale's alumni (73 percent) report staying engaged by visiting campus, compared to the national benchmark average of 52 percent. This highlights the strong sense of community and connection that Hillsdale fosters among its graduates.
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Freedom of Speech Survey: Hillsdale's High Ranking
Hillsdale College has received high marks for its commitment to free speech on campus. A national survey conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and College Pulse ranked Hillsdale among the top institutions for free speech. The survey, consisting of rating scale questions and multiple-choice questions, revealed that Hillsdale students overwhelmingly agree that free speech and inquiry flourish at the college. Hillsdale topped the list for most enthusiastically pro-free-speech responses in a significant number of the rating scale questions.
Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn emphasizes the college's commitment to free expression of ideas, thoughtful inquiry, and civil debate. He remarked in the Wall Street Journal that "A college’s purpose is not merely to sponsor speech." The college's approach is rooted in the belief that students should be able to assert and defend any argument, as long as it is done in a civil, academic, and conducive manner. This approach fosters an environment where students feel confident in expressing their views and connected to their community.
Provost Christopher VanOrman stated, “As an institution of liberal learning, Hillsdale College encourages honest conversation, thoughtful inquiry, and respectful debate." He added, “The data makes clear that Hillsdale College students feel confident in their freedom to express their views and connected to their community."
Hillsdale's Unique Stance on Funding
Hillsdale College's refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer money, even indirectly in the form of student grants and loans, is a defining characteristic. This independence allows the college to maintain control over its hiring practices, admissions policies, and curriculum. Hillsdale believes that this financial independence is essential to preserving its academic freedom and its ability to uphold its principles.
Questions Posed by Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College also utilizes surveys to gather opinions on fundamental American values and issues. Examples of questions posed include:
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- As an American, which of the following freedoms do you consider most fundamental?
- Which of the following Founders do you consider the greatest?
- What do you think are the most critical issues threatening our freedom today?
- Which of the following of Hillsdale’s educational outreach initiatives do you consider most worth supporting?
- Are there any subjects you would like to see covered in future Hillsdale online courses?
These questions reflect Hillsdale's commitment to engaging with important issues and promoting a deeper understanding of American principles.
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