The 2011 Session of the General Assembly directed “The State Board of Community Colleges to report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 1, 2012, on a revised set of accountability measures and performance standards by which to evaluate and measure student progress and student success, including measures of graduation rates and course completions. The report shall include a plan to incorporate these revised accountability measures and performance standards into regular formula funding. These revised accountability measures and performance standards shall also be the basis for the allocation of performance funding, in accordance with G.S. 115D-31.3(g) and (h).”

Performance Measures

In Spring 2011, a Performance Measures Committee chaired by Dr. Dennis Massey, President of Pitt Community College, and Dr. Molly Parkhill, President of Blue Ridge Community College, began meeting to develop a revised set of performance measures. With guidance and input from Dr. Ralls and stakeholders across the state, the committee approved eight performance measures in July 2011. From August through October 2011, the proposed measures were presented to various stakeholder associations across the state.  In October 2011, the State Board formally approved the eight performance measures and the North Carolina General Assembly adopted them in 2012.

Data was extracted in spring 2012 to pilot-test the new performance measures and methodologies. The Measures Committee utilized the results to inform the setting of standards and to establish a baseline for colleges. 

Colleges will be assessed utilizing the new measures in 2013. There are no plans for the performance measures to be static; rather, the measures and methods of evaluating colleges will be continually reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure that the focus is always on improving student success. Any changes will require approval from the State Board and the General Assembly.

Performance Funding

The State Board appointed a Performance Measures Committee in the spring of 2012. The Committee is Co-Chaired by State Board of Community Colleges member, K. Ray Bailey, and Catawba Valley Community College President, Dr. Garrett Hinshaw. The Performance Funding Committee’s goal will be to submit, through the State Board, recommendations and plans for a new performance funding model that could be available for the General Assembly prior to the 2013 Legislative Session.

When recommended adjustments are made to the current performance funding model, colleges would be funded in 2013-14 using the eight new measures and the current (adjusted) Formula. Funding is contingent upon the carry forward of appropriations from the 2012-13 fiscal year. If a new Performance Funding Model is approved by the 2013 Session of the General Assembly, along with an additional appropriation, then colleges would be funded in 2014-15 using the eight new measures and the new Formula.

Contact:

Jennifer Haygood at (919) 807-7021 haygoodj@nccommunitycolleges.edu

Bill Schneider at (919) 807-6979 schneiderb@nccommunitycolleges.edu