Around WakeTech
Wake Tech Earns “Exceptional” Distinction
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 21, 2012) - For the second time ever, Wake Tech has exceeded all of the benchmarks for success set by the North Carolina Community College System. The benchmarks, called “Critical Success Factors,” demonstrate student success in college readiness, workforce preparedness, and as college transfers. In addition, Wake Tech was among 16 colleges that earned the much-sought-after distinction for “Exceptional Institutional Performance” for the 2010-2011 academic year. The “exceptional” distinction indicates that:
- A college met or exceeded all seven performance measures (see below),
- A college received at least a 70 percent passing rate on all licensure exams for first-time test takers, and
- Students transferring from that college into the UNC System perform at a level equal to or above native UNC System students.
“’Exceptional Institutional Performance’ recognition has great significance for Wake Tech,” says President Dr. Stephen Scott, “because it speaks directly to student success, our most important goal. We’re extremely gratified to know that our students are leaving here well-prepared for the next steps in their careers and lives.”
The Critical Success Factors report is the NC Community College System’s method of tracking performance in the 58 colleges, as mandated by the NC General Assembly. It includes seven accountability standards:
- Passing rates on licensure and certification examinations
- Performance of college transfer students
- Passing rates of students in developmental courses
- Success rates of developmental students in subsequent college-level courses
- Satisfaction of program completers and non-completers
- Curriculum student retention
- Client satisfaction with customized training
Twenty-seven community colleges met or exceeded the System standard on all seven performance measures.
The annual report demonstrates a slight statewide improvement from previous years in passing rates on licensure and certification examinations, as well as the performance of community college transfer students. For the 2010-11 academic year, 90 percent of Wake Tech students who transferred to the UNC System performed as well as, or better, than native UNC System students – above the System standard of 83 percent. Wake Tech’s passing rate on state licensure and certification exams was at 94%. The System standard is 80 percent.
Other exceptional institutional colleges for 2012 are Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, Catawba Valley Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Coastal Carolina Community College, College of The Albemarle, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Guilford Technical Community College, Randolph Community College, Rockingham Community College, Sandhills Community College, Southwestern Community College, Stanly Community College, Surry Community College, and Vance-Granville Community College.
