Student Achievement
To demonstrate the achievement of goals and outcomes, Lees-McRae examines outcome criteria including graduation and retention rates, job placement, and licensure examination pass rates.
When data is available, the college compares its retention and graduation rates with a number of other institutions by using information reported to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The majority of the colleges and universities in the comparison groups share one or more attributes with Lees-McRae, including but not limited to: student demographics, program offerings, geographic settings, and operational characteristics. The three primary comparison groups are:
- Appalachian College Association (ACA)
- North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU)
- Custom Group (IPEDS Data Feedback Report)
As a “School of Opportunity,” the college does not require standarized test scores but rather considers a holistic review of all applicants. Thresholds for student achievement are established with the institution’s commitment to educational access in mind.
Persistence
Retention is a measure of the rate at which students persist at the institution. Per federal guidelines, Lees-McRae uses the term retention rate for the percentage of first time, first year (FTFY) degree-seeking undergraduates from the fall semester who are enrolled again in the subsequent fall. The college uses the term persistence rate when documenting a rate for other types of entering students.
The expected threshold for FTFY retention is at or above the 50th percentile of ACA member institutions.
Graduation
Per federal guidelines, the college’s reported rate of graduation represents the percent of full-time FTFY undergraduate students that complete their program of study within 150 percent of normal time to completion (6 years for baccalaureate degrees). The college also records a 150 percent graduation rate for other types of entering undergraduate students.
The expected threshold for FTFY undergraduate graduation is at or above the 50th percentile of ACA member institutions.
Licensure Examinations
The Elementary Education program culminates in a licensure examination. These rates are examined and compared to state and national levels.
Per North Carolina State Board of Education policies, the expected threshold for passing all teacher education state licensure exams is 85 percent.
Career Outcomes
Career outcomes are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as graduates who are employed in field, participating in volunteer or armed services, or enrolled in continuing education. The NACE standard excludes those who are not actively seeking employment.
Career Outcome Rates
The Lees-McRae threshold for career outcome is 80%.