Massachusetts Board of Higher Education

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Performance Indicators

The following indicators for the state and community colleges have been approved by the Board of Higher Education for inclusion in the annual Performance Measurement Report.

Indicators	Description	State College	Community College
Access
Fall Enrollment Headcount Fall Enrollment FTE	Fall Headcount is used as a measure of student population at the traditional peak entry time. Fall Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) indicates the mix of full-time and part-time students at the institution’s peak entry time.	Yes	Yes

Annual Enrollment Headcount Annual Enrollment FTE	Annual Headcount reflects the population of students in all terms throughout the academic year. Annual Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) indicates the mix of full-time and part-time students who are enrolled at any point throughout the year.	Yes	Yes

Minority Enrollment	Minority Headcount Enrollment is compared with the minority composition of the geographic region in which the institution resides. These regions are defined by the cities and towns where the first 80% of an institution's student population resides.	Yes	Yes

Community College Transfer Students	The number of students who enter Massachusetts four-year institutions after having been previously enrolled at a Massachusetts community college, an indication of collaboration between the two segments.	Yes	No

Affordability Indicators
Percent of aid-eligible students who had their need (Direct Costs – Expected Family Contribution) covered by financial aid	The target for this measure is that at least 85% of eligible students receive aid to meet direct costs. Direct Costs = mandatory tuition and fees + insurance + books & supplies.	Yes	Yes

Tuition and fees as a percent of median family income	This indicator measures full-time tuition and mandatory fees as a percentage of median family income, as sourced from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2004.	Yes	Yes

Student Success and Quality Indicators
First-Year Retention Rate	The number of first-time, full-time new freshmen who return to the same institution in the fall following their first year.	Yes	Yes

Fall-to-Spring Retention Rate	The percent of first-time and transfer degree-seeking students enrolled in a fall term (not enrolled in any ESL coursework) who earn nine or more credits by the end of the fall term and re-enroll in credit courses the subsequent spring semester.	No	Yes

Six-Year Graduation Rate	The source for this indicator is the Graduation Rate Survey of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The entering cohort includes first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students. Graduation is limited to graduation from initial institution. Nationally, six years is the traditional time for measuring graduation rates at four-year institutions.	Yes	No

Credit Course Completion Rate	The percent of students enrolled in credit courses that attempted to earn credit and successfully completed the course(s) and earned the credit(s).	No	Yes

Degrees Conferred	All degrees and certificates conferred during the fiscal year.	Yes	Yes

Pass Rate for the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL)	Passing the MTEL exam is required for teacher certification. Pass rates on this exam for first-time test-takers are measured as an indication of academic quality and learning outcomes. The source for this indicator is the Massachusetts Department of Education.	Yes

Pass Rate for the National Nursing Licensure Examination	Passing the the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is required to become a registered nurse. Pass rates on this exam for first-time test-takers are measured as an indication of academic quality and learning outcomes. (The inclusion of repeat test takers would increase the annual pass rate.) A higher passing standard was instituted in 2004 for this exam. As a result, the average pass rates for Massachusetts community colleges fell slightly from 2003. The source for this indicator is the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, National Council of State Boards of Nursing.	No	Yes

Special Admission Students	Special Admits are students who have been admitted to a Massachusetts state college, but have not met the minimum admissions standards approved by the Board of Higher Education. Each institution is required to limit special admits to 10% of the new student population.	Yes	No

Enrollment in Workforce Development Courses	The provision of non-credit workforce development instruction is one way community colleges serve an important economic development role in their community.	No	Yes

Effectiveness and Efficiency Indicators
Independent Financial Audit	All Massachusetts state and community colleges are required to undergo an independent annual audit of their fiscal practices. A positive audit has an unqualified opinion and no material findings.	Yes	Yes

Operating Revenue allocated to Capital Adaptation and Renewal	Percent of revenue utilized for capital projects, based on a rolling three-year average. At least 5% of operating revenue should be allocated for this purpose.	Yes	Yes

Institutional Support Costs per Headcount	Institutional Support Costs include the day-to-day operational support expenses, with the exception of physical plant operations. The source for this indicator is the Finance Survey of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).	Yes	Yes

Institutional Support Costs as a percent of Total Educational and General Expenditures	See above.	Yes	Yes

Private Funds raised and Matching Funds received	In times of shrinking budgets, public institutions of higher education are increasingly expected to seek additional external sources of funds. Matching funds were provided by the Legislature in 2005.	Yes	Yes

Institutional Endowment	See above.	Yes	No