Operational Definitions
Common definitions have been established by the RP Group so that meaning is added to data analyzed consistently over time, in relation to appropriate comparison groups used by California community college researchers. The definitions were adopted by the RP Group after considerable consultation was provided by researchers across the state. Definitions are related to Associate degree and non-Associate applicable credit courses and do not include non-credit courses.
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Course Enrollment
Definition
Student is enrolled in course and receives a valid grade notation at the time the college MIS data tape is submitted to the State Chancellor's Office (Approved June 1996)
Valid grade notations
A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, W, I (Incomplete)
Definition Title
Student is enrolled in course and receives a valid grade notation at the time the college MIS data tape is submitted to the State Chancellor's Office (Approved June 1996)
Course Retention I
(for comparing colleges to each other and for comparing departments between colleges)
Definition
Student is retained in the course to end of term. A, B, C, D, CR, I grade notations (Approved June 1996)
Retention Rate
Percent of students retained in courses out of total enrolled in courses
The retention rate is calculated by dividing the numerator by the denominator and multiplying by 100
Numerator
Number of students (duplicated) with A, B, C, D, CR, I
Denominator
Number of students (duplicated) with A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, W, I
Course Retention II
(for comparing colleges to each other and for comparing colleges to the CCC system-wide rate)
Definition
Student is retained in the course to end of term. A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, I grade notations (Approved June 1996)
Retention Rate
Percent of students retained in courses out of total enrolled in courses
The retention rate is calculated by dividing the numerator by the denominator and multiplying by 100
Numerator
Number of students (duplicated) with A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, I
Denominator
Number of students (duplicated) with A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, W, I
Course Completion
Definition
None. Thought to be too similar to and less relevant than retention/success measures (June 1996)
Course Success
Definition
Student succeeds in the course. A, B, C, CR grade notations (Approved June 1996)
Success Rate
Percent of students successful in courses out of total enrolled in courses
The success rate is calculated by dividing the numerator by the denominator and multiplying by 100
Numerator
Number of students (duplicated) with A, B, C, CR
Denominator
Number of students (duplicated) with A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, W, I
Term to Term Persistence
Definition
Student persists from one term to the next term (Approved June 1996)
First Term
Student is enrolled in at least one course. A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, W, I grade notations
Next Term
Student is enrolled in at least one course. A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, W, I grade notations
Persistence Rate
Percent of students enrolled in next term out of students enrolled in first term
The persistence rate is calculated by dividing the numerator by the denominator and multiplying by 100
Numerator
Number of students with at least one course with A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, W, I in the next term (x 100)
Denominator
Number of students with at least one course with A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, W, I in the first term
Transfer Ready
Definition
The rate by which a first-time entering freshmen cohort meets the basic transfer requirements for admittance to California State University. (Approved October 2000)
Transfer Directed
All freshmen enrolled in any transfer level English course and in any transfer level math course within three years, and within six years of admission.
Transfer Ready
The rate by which the transfer directed student cohort completes 56+ transfer units with a 2.0+ GPA at both three and six years, including the successful completion of any transfer level English and any transfer level math course, earning grades A, B, C, or Credit.