Page 3 - PCC Online Research Magazine_Community College Brief_First Issue

Facing the Challenge of Completion BOOSTING
– Emerging Strategies COMPLETION
RATES BY
Community colleges the world over face similar challenges. In Jamaica, INSTITUTIONAL

the fast-shifting tertiary landscape coupled with the increased calls for EFFORT

accountability in publicly _______________
funded institutions places
the spotlight squarely on • Data-based decision

performance measures making.
such as completion rates. • Clearly defined
The challenge for many career paths.
community colleges is to
achieve the balance • Guaranteed

between measuring up to attachment to 4 year
institutions
traditional standards of performance and holding to the position of

providing unrestricted access to tertiary education for all. • Stackable credentials
.
Many community colleges have been meeting this challenge by using a • Career advisement

variety of strategies along with rigorous evaluation to see what works. One
key approach is using data visualization and analytics to improve • Programme
completion rates. With data visualization and analytics, Programme adjustments for
increased academic
Coordinators and Department Heads have an opportunity to see what’s support
going on in courses or programmes and make decisions about what is CREATING A
needed to improve completion rates. DATA CULTURE

Another promising strategy is the move towards the guided pathways ______________
• Model the desired
approach. Unlike the cafeteria-style model, where students pick up practice in meetings.

courses/subjects as they go along, here students are helped to identify
clear pathways from enrollment to graduation. So far the results show that • Talk to staff about the

students are more engaged leading to improved completion rates. need for using data for
decision making and
Recognizing the key role of student support and advisement services in analytical reports.

positively impacting completion rates, efforts are being channeled into
leveraging emerging technologies to improve student support and • Find internal champions.
advisement services.

Whatever strategies are considered, colleges should be prepared to • Data must be accurate

properly assess existing problems, implement a strategic plan of action, relatable and actionable.

vigorously execute and evaluate the results.