Assessing the Economic Outcomes of Community College Students

Session Abstract: As researchers analyzing after-college outcomes of students, we rely heavily on a myriad of data sources to gauge how students fare after attending our institutions and how to continuously improve. Increasingly, these data cover student employment, earnings, and other economic outcomes. However, data on students’ economic outcomes are often messy and difficult to access, and institutions lack clear guidance on how to best utilize this information. In this session, presenters from the Research Institute at Dallas College will discuss how they developed a system to integrate multiple data sources to holistically assess student’s postcompletion economic and academic success as part of a structured process within their institution. Using longitudinal data, first-destination surveys, qualitative data, and other sources, presenters will share a model of how Dallas College produces a rich understanding of student outcomes at a large community college that serves a diverse learner population.

Keywords: community college, economic mobility, outcome measures, student success, institutional effectiveness