NPEC Outcome Measures Papers

ASA co-authored two new papers for the U.S. Department of Education National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (NPEC) for the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), both analyzing the usage of the Outcome Measures (OM) survey component and ways to improve it.

The first paper, Understanding and Improving the Usage of the Outcome Measures Survey Component, found that most stakeholders interviewed do not use OM data either due to lack of awareness, confusion around metrics and cohorts, or the lag time of all outcomes tracked 8 years after the cohort initially enrolls. This paper makes recommendations for refining the OM survey component and increasing OM usage, beginning with better understanding the utility of OM data in consumer tools such as the College Scorecard and College Navigator.

The second paper, Developing a Single Student Outcome Survey Component: Merging IPEDS Graduation Rates, Graduation Rates 200, and Outcome Measures, explores the feasibility of combining the IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR), 200% Graduation Rates (GR200), and Outcome Measures (OM) surveys. Interviews conducted with institutional stakeholders and data users indicated broad support for merging the surveys. Interviewees cited confusion around having too many completion measures from various sources, not knowing which survey to use, and wanting to combine various aspects of each survey.

Visit NPEC to learn more.