1. Achieving the Dream
Mark A. Smith

2. What is Achieving the Dream?
Greater Texas Foundation – Funded 5 Texas community colleges
2-year grant
Kick-off training – June
Coaches visit October 15 & 16
A process of using data to identify gaps in student achievement and to implement and improve strategies for closing those gaps

3. Achieving the Dream Goals
Increase learner success - Primary Goal
Focus – Traditional underserved learners (Learners of color and low-income learners)
Work to increase the percentage of learners who :
successfully complete the courses they take
advance from remedial to credit-bearing courses
enroll in and successfully complete gatekeeper courses
enroll from one semester to the next
earn degrees and/or certificates

4. Four Principles Committed Leadership
Use of Evidence to improve policies, programs, and service – Data Driven Decision Making
Broad Engagement
Systematic institutional improvement

5. Committed Leadership
Leadership actively supports efforts to improve learning and learner completion
Willingness to support changes in policy, procedures, and resource allocation to improve learner success
Faculty leaders actively support culture of evidence

6. Use of Evidence IT capacity Integrity of data collected
Training on use of data to improve decision making
Regular surveys of learners, faculty, and staff to identify opportunities for improvement
Regular evaluation of effectiveness in improving learner success

7. Broad Engagement
FT/PT Faculty meet regularly to examine course and program outcomes
Student Enrollment Services staff assess student success strategies
Alignment and extensive collaboration between academics and student services
Learner participation to improve success
External stakeholders

8. Systematic Institutional Improvement
Strategic planning based on data to set goals for student success
Learner success agenda is integrated with ongoing accreditation activity – QEP
Professional development focused on improving learner success
Training for faculty/staff on using data and research

9. Five Step Process Commit Use Data to Prioritize Actions
Engage Stakeholders
Implement, Evaluate, Improve
Establish a Culture of Continuous Improvement

10. Questions