1994 Outcomes Assessment: Cohort One Second Follow-Up Study

Abstract

The cohort study described on the following pages represents a central component of the assessment plan developed by the Student Outcomes Assessment Committee of Oakland Community College's Academic Senate. By using a longitudinal model to track students' experience at OCC over a number of years, the study is intended to provide better understanding of student progression through the college, beginning with admission and continuing through departure, transfer, graduation, or return. In order to determine whether students in the cohort have met intended outcomes, progress is measured at the start of each fall term. This report constitutes the third such measurement for the first cohort. This group entered the college as first time students in the fall of 1994. At this data collection point, members of the original cohort had split into three subgroups: those who have been enrolled each fall semester since 1994 (continuing) those who have left the college since the last measurement in fall 1995 (departed), and those who were not enrolled in fall 1995 but have returned to the college and are registered for classes in fall 1996 (returning). Those students who had left the college at the last measurement point (Fall 1995) and have not returned were not included as a subgroup, as they were surveyed last year. These groups were surveyed separately in order to determine not only progress toward college outcomes as well as educational and career goals, but also to identify reasons for departure and factors influencing the return to the college.