Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP)

Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) is a national advocacy, campus action, and research initiative that champions the importance of a 21st century liberal education for individuals and a nation dependent on economic creativity and democratic vitality.  Its efficacy and scalability are being tested in the Multi-State Collaborative to Advance Learning Outcomes Assessment led by SHEEO involving about 100 colleges/universities in 12 states. General Education Maps and Markers (GEMs) shows educators how to apply the proficiencies and competencies articulated in the Degree Qualifications Profile (DQP) to the design of integrative and equity-minded general education programs, from first to final year. Several dozen colleges, universities and community colleges are applying GEMs guidelines through AAC&U grant funded LEAP initiatives. A GEMs report on digital strategies for achieving key learning outcomes will be released in 2016.