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2023 Performance Measures for Student Success Results

Introduction

The Performance Measures for Student Success Report is the North Carolina Community College System’s major accountability document. This annual performance report is based on data compiled during the previous year and serves to inform colleges and the public on the performance of our 58 community colleges.

In 1993, the State Board of Community Colleges began monitoring performance data on specific measures to ensure public accountability for programs and services. In 1998, the General Assembly directed the State Board to review past performance measures and define standards to ensure programs and services offered by community colleges in North Carolina were of sufficient quality.

In 2010, a review process was established to ensure the measures and methods for evaluating colleges were current and remained focused on improving student success. Every three years, a committee that is inclusive of college leaders; subject matter experts; and research and assessment professionals are appointed to review the measures and recommend modifications. Recommendations from the most recent review were approved in 2021.

The current list of measures includes: 

  • Basic Skills Student Progress
  • Student Success Rate in College Level English Courses
  • Student Success Rate in College Level Math Courses
  • First Year Progression
  • Curriculum Student Completion
  • Licensure and Certification Passing Rate
  • College Transfer Performance

Baselines and Excellence Levels

The outcomes funding model associated with the performance measures was implemented in 2013. A major component of this model is the establishment of system‐wide baseline and excellence levels for each measure. These statistically defined levels were developed to provide consistency and promote transparency, simplicity, and objectivity.

Baseline levels are set two standard deviations below the system's average index score and excellence levels are set one standard deviation above the system's average index scores.  The average band is within 0.5 standard deviations above or below the average index score. 

The North Carolina Community College Performance Measures for Student Success Report is designed to provide colleges and stakeholders with summary results related to the performance measures. Additional college-level analysis and results based on student demographics and characteristics can be accessed at: www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/analytics/dashboards/performance-measure-summary.

Each performance measure begins with a purpose and description, excellence, average band maximum, average band minimum, and baseline, and the College’s performance for that measure. Additional information about the seven performance measures is available from the Wayne Community College Office of Institutional Effectiveness.  Additional information can be accessed at:  https://www.waynecc.edu/institutional-effectiveness/planning-documents/.

  1. Basic Skills Student Progress. To ensure individuals with low literacy skills are progressing academically toward credential or employment. Index score based on the percentage of Basic Skills periods of participation (PoP) with measurable skill gain (MSG) during the Basic Skills program year (July 1 - June 30). Excellence: 1.241; Average Band Max: 1.122; Average Band Min:  0.884; Baseline: 0.527; WCC Performance: 0.971 (> Average Band Min, < Average Band Max).
  2. Student Success Rate in College-Level English Courses. To ensure students are successfully completing a credit-bearing English course within their first three academic years.  Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall associate degree seeking and transfer pathway students passing a credit-bearing English course with a “C” or better within three years.  Excellence : 1.144; Average Band Max: 1.074; Average Band Min: 0.934; Baseline: 0.723; WCC Performance: 1.223 (Met or Exceeded Excellence Level).
  3. Student Success Rate in College-Level Math Courses. To ensure students are successfully completing credit-bearing Math courses within their first three academic years. Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall associate degree seeking and transfer pathway students passing a credit-bearing Math course with a “C” or better within three years. Excellence : 1.194; Average Band Max: 1.100; Average Band Min: 0.910; Baseline: 0.626; WCC Performance: 1.071 (> Average Band Min, < Average Band Max).
  4. First Year Progression. To ensure first-year students are making progress toward credential completion. Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall credential-seeking curriculum students graduated prior to or enrolled in post-secondary education the subsequent fall term semester. Excellence: 1.067; Average Band Max: 1.035; Average Band Min: 0.971; Baseline: 0.874; WCC Performance: 1.123 (Met or Exceeded Excellence Level).
  5. Curriculum Completion. To ensure student completion and/or persistence toward a post-secondary credential in a timely manner. Index score based on percentage of first-time fall credential-seeking curriculum students who graduate, transfer, or are enrolled during the fourth academic year with 42 successfully completed non-developmental hours. Excellence: 1.086; Average Band Max: 1.046; Average Band Min: 0.968; Baseline: 0.850; WCC Performance: 1.081 (> Average Band Max, Below Excellence Level).
  6. Licensure and Certification Passing Rate. To ensure programmatic coursework prepares students to competently practice in their chosen profession. Index score based on the percentage of first-time test-takers passing licensure and certification exams within each exam. Exams included in this measure are state-mandated exams which candidates must pass before becoming active practitioners. Excellence: 1.069; Average Band Max: 1.026; Average Band Min: 0.938; Baseline: 0.806; WCC Performance: 1.099 (Met or Exceeded Excellence Level).
  7. College Transfer Performance. To ensure the academic success of community college students at a four-year university or college.  Index score based on the percentage of community college students (Associate Degree completers and those who have completed 30 or more articulated transfer credits) transferring to a four-year university or college during the fall semester who remain enrolled at any four-year university or college the subsequent fall semester or graduate prior to.  Excellence: 1.036; Average Band Max: 1.009; Average Band Min: 0.954; Baseline: 0.871; WCC Performance: 1.002 (> Average Band Min,  <Average Band Max).