Despite progress in the college completion movement, disparities in postsecondary attainment by income, race, and ethnicity persist in the United States. To address these gaps, it is crucial to utilize data effectively and drive equitable improvements
in student success. A recent report by the US Department of Education (ED) entitled "Using Data Effectively to Drive Equitable Improvements in Postsecondary Student Success"
explores strategies for doing so. The playbook aims to ease that data usage by providing specific advice on four key tactics to, "promote data-driven inquiry and continuous improvement" on college campuses, but there's no reason that K-12 districts
and schools, state agencies, college access programs, and other organizations can't adopt or adapt the lessons here.
Institutions that prioritize data-driven improvement often cite critical actions taken by their leaders to democratize data access (i.e., make it more widely available to a broader swath of stakeholders) and use across campus. By fostering a culture that
values data and supports its use, institutions can set improvement goals and make informed choices about academic programs and support services. Investing in data systems and staffing is crucial to leverage data as a strategic asset. For example,
Morgan State University significantly invested in data to power their student success initiative, resulting in increased graduation rates from 32% to 46%.
Data plays a vital role in measuring and addressing gaps in student outcomes. A set of metrics have been developed to track early momentum toward completion, such as credit accumulation and gateway course completion. These leading indicators help institutions
intervene early and ensure students stay on track for success. Additionally, measuring post-college outcomes is essential to determine if students are earning credentials of value that lead to economic opportunity and mobility.
The National College Attainment Network's (NCAN) Common Measures and Education Strategy Group’s Momentum Metrics are two related resources for programs looking for research-backed indicators that are associated with students’ postsecondary success.
Institutions are shifting their approach to data analysis by focusing on identifying and removing institutional barriers to student success. By analyzing data, institutions can understand critical loss points in students' postsecondary journeys and develop
specific solutions to address these barriers. Georgia State University's data-driven improvement journey is a prime
example of how analyzing data helped identify barriers and implement effective programs, resulting in increased graduation rates and closing completion gaps.
Data not only helps identify barriers, but also aids in selecting and evaluating evidence-based solutions. Institutions can use data to understand the root cause of obstacles to student success and target strategies to meet students' needs. Sharing successful
strategies with the field supports replication and scale. Institutions like Roane State Community College have used critical root cause analysis to break down barriers and continuously improve their student success initiatives.
To drive equitable improvements, institutions must democratize data by investing in data tools and training that empower stakeholders at all levels to access, analyze, and utilize data effectively. Extending data and analytics beyond the institutional
research office allows for more informed decision-making. For example, Lehman College implemented an integrated business intelligence system that provides real-time information to drive decision-making about academic and support programs. The City
Colleges of Chicago also deployed visual data stories and interactive analytics platforms to build a "data democracy" across their campuses.
Data-driven advising and support play a crucial role in improving student outcomes. Institutions like Amarillo College and the University of Illinois Chicago use surveys to identify nonacademic needs that may affect students' academic engagement and
performance. This information helps target supports and normalize seeking help. Real-time data and predictive analytics tools, such as the Graduation and Progress Success system at Georgia State University, enable proactive interventions and personalized
coaching to support students on their educational journeys.
To drive systemic change, it is essential to share best practices and generate actionable evidence. Institutions can evaluate their student success strategies using data and share their experiences to support replication and scale. Organizations like
MDRC, Excelencia in Education, and
the Institute for Education Sciences What Works Clearinghouse provide resources and guidance on evidence-based practices and interventions.
Data-driven decision-making is a critical component of efforts to drive equitable improvements in postsecondary student success. By creating a culture and capacity for data-driven improvement, using relevant metrics, conducting key analyses, and selecting
and evaluating success strategies, institutions can make informed decisions to support student outcomes. Investing in data systems, democratizing data access, leveraging technology tools, and sharing best practices further enhance the effectiveness
of data-driven approaches. To achieve equitable outcomes in higher education, institutions, policymakers, and stakeholders must prioritize data-driven practices. By leveraging data effectively, we can address disparities and ensure that students of
all backgrounds have equal opportunities to succeed in their postsecondary education journeys. Through a collective commitment to data-driven decision-making, we can drive meaningful change and create a more equitable and inclusive higher education
system.
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