4C.2 The institution collects and analyzes information on student retention, persistence, and completion of programs.
Within the Strategic Plan dated 2009 the College set a goal to increase the student retention rate to 90%. The Retention Rate at this time is better described as the persistence rate, since Miller College does not have first-time at any institution students; Miller College has not tracked this data. The institution began keeping better track of the retention rate in the Fall of 2010 and has made the formula for figuring the retention rate more transparent. Since the Retention (persistence) rate has become more transparent Miller College has had rates between 89-94% from each Fall to Spring.
The data that the institution collects on retention is done through Student Services by the Registrar’s office. President’s Council’s agendas include discussion to address retention of students and the goals for enrollment growth. This data is also discussed in the Enrollment Management and Retention Committee meetings, and shared with the entire college at College Forum meetings.
The Robert B. Miller College just began looking at completion rates beginning with the 2010-11 academic year. Miller College is currently at a rate of 57% completion within a six year cohort. The completion rate shows that the majority of our students are non-traditional part-time college students. They are currently employed and many have family obligations that restrict them to taking one or two courses at time. Also, the six-year cohort is at this time a small group of 35 students who began in the Fall of 2005 with 20 having graduated either in the 2010-2011 year or prior to. Since Miller College just had its first completed six year cohort, it has not set goals at this time, but will be reviewing data within the Enrollment Management Committee to recommend goals for future Strategic Plans.
The School of Education is required by the Michigan Department of Education to report the percentage of candidates who complete the Teacher Education Program within a six year period. In 2010-11 Academic year, the rate is 82%.
Evidence:
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