Measuring College Completion Is Complex and Controversial

 

College Graduation Rates: Behind the Numbers
The paper by the American Council on Education (ACE) provides a layperson’s guide to the most common databases used to calculate these rates, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. In addition, the report suggests several factors for policymakers to consider before using graduation rates from existing databases to assess institutional success. “The databases referenced in this report provide valuable information on graduation rates,” said Bryan Cook, director of ACE’s Center for Policy Analysis and co-author, with Natalie Pullaro, of the paper. “However, the disadvantages of each database highlight the need for caution in using them to measure the overall effectiveness of postsecondary education institutions.”