Yes, Penn State measures the sustainability literacy of students. The first assessment was conducted in 2018 across the student body. The assessment results were reviewed, and a redesign of the assessment was undertaken in 2022. In early August of 2022, the assessment group, comprised of faculty, staff, and students, produced the final draft of the Student Sustainability Survey. The 38-question survey includes cognitive, affective, and behavioral components to gauge overall sustainability knowledge and beliefs. The survey was launched on August 22nd, 2022 and remained open until November 18th, 2022. Recommendations from the assessment results, as reported to the Faculty Senate, included a call for an annual, university-wide Sustainability Literacy Assessment
President Bendapudi announced in 2023 plans to use the new literacy assessment on a regular basis. In a letter dated August 8, 2023 to the Faculty Senate, President Bendapudi stated “I recognize that our students are calling for a set of actions from the administration and acknowledge the importance of sustainability. I support a regular sustainability literacy survey and would like to see one conducted approximately every two years with a broad sample of students from University Park, our Commonwealth System, and World Campus.”
Plans are in place to conduct the next system-wide assessment in the fall of 2025.