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Description/Definition:
The proportion of students who, on leaving a community college, report that their primary goal in attending (or subsequent primary goal decided while enrolled) has been met (at the time of leaving).
Methodology and Data Sources:
Data will be collected by surveying "leavers" and graduates. The graduate survey technique (written/mail, phone, etc.) will be determined by each institution. However, "leavers" should be surveyed by telephone to achieve an acceptable response rate. The 1998 pilot found that the "leavers" survey response rate was significantly higher when the population was surveyed by telephone. See Page 29 for "Sample Data Collection Format."
Reporting Periods/Timelines:
Report will be submitted annually in the 4th quarter of the calendar year for the preceding year data.
"Leaver" and graduate data will be collected.
Pilot: A February through June 1998 pilot provided a June 1998 report for preceding year "leavers", i.e., those students who attended in Fall 1996, did not attend the subsequent 12 months, and were not enrolled on January 30, 1998 and a report of graduates (received certificate and/or degree) who graduated in July 1996 through July 1997.
Special Conditions/Issues:
Conditions: Immediate capability of collecting student goal attainment data varies among Michigan community colleges. About 50% of the colleges indicate that they could report on this indicator with current resources and existing data. However, most collect data on graduates only.
Work Group Members:
Sandi Carter, MDE/CCSU, Group Leader
Greg Cutler, Bay de Noc
Bev Andrews, Glen Oaks
Jim Homan, Henry Ford
John Cooper, Kellogg
Tom Klopfenstein, Kellogg
Michael Wahl, Kirtland
Pat Lambert, Lansing
Bob Ferrentino, Muskegon
Lou Reibling, Schoolcraft
Jackie Andrews, Washtenaw
Terry Luxford, West Shore
Pilot Project Colleges:
Kellogg Community College
Lansing Community College
Muskegon Community College
Schoolcraft College
West Shore Community College
Sample Format
Sample Report Format:
_________ % of _________ surveyed non-graduating students during ___________ period and _________ % of _________ surveyed students who received certificates/ degrees during _________ period reported meeting their primary goal in attending _________ College.
Sample Data Collection Format:
Graduates:
Do you feel you met your primary goal (at the time of leaving)?
yes____ no_____
Please indicate your primary goal at the time of leaving by checking one of the following:
Specific Occupational Training ____
Current Job Skills Upgrade ____
New Job Skills for Occupational Change ____
Courses/Programs to Transfer ____
Personal Interest ____
Other:_____________________________________
History
The Postsecondary Education/Employability Development Plan (E/EDP) "Guide Book" (12/96) provided descriptions of student goals.
Background
A review of community college registration forms, admission application forms and graduate application forms found that the majority of colleges do collect intent information in one form or another. Student Goal (intent) information was used to modify goals described in the E/EDP "Guide Book." However, the review also indicated that "leaver" goal assessment is not requested on graduate application forms.
Early on, the work group discussed the possibility of obtaining student goal attainment using the process of a three-year progression - first year surveying degree students, second year surveying degree and certificate students, and third year surveying degree students, certificate students and students taking 30 credit hours or more. Later, at a December 17, 1997, meeting the work group suggested surveying all non-graduate "leavers" as defined in this profile. The assumption here was that graduates obtained their goals and colleges only need to determine graduates' stated goals at the time of graduation. The pilot, run from January through June 1998, included only "leavers" taking credit courses.
The pilot was concluded on June 15, 1998. As a result of pilot information, it was determined by the Performance Indicators Task Force to:
- Define "leavers" to include only students who took three or more credit hours, and
- Include the question regarding having met their primary goal on the surveys for both graduates and "leavers".
Research Summary
In a review of literature on Student Goal Attainment, a number of professional articles were investigated. The need for a matriculation plan with an individual plan of study was deemed quite important by Starrfield (1992). Calder and Melanson (1994) also remarked that goal planning for the student assisted the college in planning retention activities. Walleri, Seybert and Cosgrove (1992) chide their readers to not accept student goals at face value.
Bers and Smith (1991) report that non-goal attainment creates a non-persistent student. Grimes and Antworth (1996) studied reasons for leaving school compared to gender. Women most often reported health, family and emotional reasons, while men reported non-challenging course work. In a recent study further reviewing reasons for departure, it is interesting to note grades did not affect departure, as reported by Okun, Benin and Brandt-Williams (1996).
Definitions
"Leaver" is defined as:
A student who has earned three or more credit hours with a "C" or better (2.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale), was enrolled in Fall Semester of a year, was not enrolled the next 12 consecutive months and was not enrolled on the succeeding January 30.
Goals are:
Specific Occupational Training
Current Job Skills Upgrade
New Job Skills for Occupational Change
Courses/Programs to Transfer
Personal Interest
Other: (to be identified by the student)
Receiving a certificate/degree is considered a method or means to achieving the above stated goals so was deliberately not included in the goals’ definition.
Graduates are students who have received a certificate/degree.
Non-Credit is defined as a course or activity having no credit applicable toward a degree, diploma, certificate, or other formal award.
Occupational education is any educational program with a direct career relationship.
Estimated Cost of Reporting
The estimated cost of surveying all non-returning students is $1.00 to $3.00 per survey, depending upon the size of the community college. The annual MISIS report, a survey of graduates, is estimated at $5,000 for small community colleges. Larger community colleges may be expected to incur expenses of $10,000 or more. Those doing a telephone follow-up survey will incur additional costs.
Conclusions
Indications from the pilot surveys suggest that a telephone methodology would be best for conducting this survey. For consistency of methodology across colleges, one research organization should be contracted to perform the survey for all the colleges. Colleges will have the discretion to develop more detailed surveys to suit their individual needs by contracting with the research group individually.
Recommendations for Performance Indicator:
The Task Force recommends Student Goal Attainment be accepted as a Michigan Community College Core Performance Indicator and be reported annually during the 4th Quarter, beginning in 1999.
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