Accountability with a Focus on Program Outcomes

While states still struggle to collect and maintain accurate data on the programs of study which students are attempting to complete, some states have taken steps to focus their accountability efforts more toward programs in the effort to collect data that are more meaningful than course completion rates or aggregate numbers of completed credentials without respect to individual program outcomes. 

The Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) in Arkansas requires programs to track Transition Employment Assistance (TEA) enrollment, employment rates and employment retention rates for students who earn a certificate or degree. 

During the past few years, Arkansas has contracted with an outside firm to evaluate whether CPI was effectively serving its students by moving them into high-demand, high-wage jobs. The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) has developed a three-level assessment process for its CTE programs. 

It reviews Indirect/Local Assessment Standards based on the percentage of students completing 80% of their CTE courses. External Assessment Standards look at the programs that have external licensure examinations and track the pass rate for students. Lastly, Summative Assessments are a WTCS- approved set of measures designed to test the skills obtained by students in CTE.  

Florida uses its student data, collected throughout its entire K-20 system, to create the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP) to track post educational outcomes for students receiving a public education in technical or non-technical fields. 

Florida uses FETPIP to help evaluate all programs at its community colleges. 

Recent legislation in Florida requires two-year institutions, beginning in the 2014-15 academic year, to provide each student electronic access to the report of employment and earning outcomes prepared by the Department of Economic Opportunity. 

The bill also requires community colleges to record the intended baccalaureate degree program for each student intending to transfer, and to inform students of the prerequisites for those programs.