East Central CC Releases Report Card

In accordance with House Bill No. 1071 from the 2010 Legislative session, East Central Community College (ECCC) in Decatur has released its 2012 Community College Performance Profile, or Report Card.

The bill created an Education Achievement Council (EAC) which was established to set education achievement goals for institutions of higher learning and community and junior colleges in the state and to assist in monitoring progress towards those goals through the preparation of annual institutional and state report cards.

The Community College Report Card, designed to reflect the unique mission of community colleges, incorporates measures closely aligned with the Voluntary Framework of Accountability developed by the American Association of Community Colleges. Therefore, each report card includes information for the specific community/junior college, along with corresponding figures for the state system which includes all 15 state community/junior colleges.

Information contained in the report includes student enrollment, degrees awarded, student success, student retention, student progress, workforce development information, GED® and adult basic education statistics, as well as enrollment and success in development or remedial coursework (college readiness).

In the 2012 Community College Report Card, ECCC ranked above the state averages in numerous categories. In the crucial category of Student Success, ECCC excelled in the area of overall graduation percentages, particularly among pre-baccalaureate and technical students. Also evident is ECCC’s top tier performance in preparing students to transfer to 4-year institutions. In the overall summary measurement of student success, ECCC exceeded the state average.

Other categories of comparative strength for ECCC within credit programs were overall student retention and percentage wage gains for associate of arts, technical, and career graduates. In the area of licensure pass rates for healthcare professionals, ECCC graduates passed these exams on first write at a rate of 94.9%, significantly surpassing the state average of 87.7%.

In workforce training activities, the data reveals ECCC as a leader in the number of individuals served and industry credentials awarded. Trainees from ECCC workforce programs increased wages by a percentage higher than state norms.

In addition, ECCC continues to display a commitment to outreach and excellence in the awarding of GED’s, again ranking in the upper half of the state.

Dr. Billy W. Stewart, president of ECCC stated, “Results of the 2012 Report Card demonstrate that ECCC is continuing to make progress on the Institutional Commitments contained in our strategic plan, 2020 Vision. We are very proud of that and look to strengthen those aspects of our mission that rank above the state average on the Report Card. However, as in previous years, the Report Card has identified areas of improvement for our college as well. Likewise, we look forward to working with our faculty, staff, and students to improve in those areas as ECCC strives to become Nationally Recognized and Locally Preferred. The overall results of the Report Card demonstrate that ECCC is making great progress in Student Success, Community Partnerships, and Teaching and Learning. Progress in these Institutional Commitments enables our students to experience an excellent postsecondary education right here at home.”

The 2012 Performance Profile (Report Card) for ECCC can be found on the college’s website at http://www.eccc.edu/consumer-information. In addition, a copy of the 2012 Performance Profile can be obtained from the Office of the President.