District-wide and CRC Course Success Targets for Fall 2020
For Fall 2020, CRC, along with the three other colleges, is setting course success targets. The District-wide and local CRC goal setting methods are similar, but our definitions of course success differ slightly. The CRC Research & Equity Team provides the following data documentation in order to describe the underlying differences and how they are connected.
Overall Course Success Rate Goal-Setting Methods
For our local CRC course success rate goal, a standard deviation was calculated using the most recent five fall terms of data. This value was then multiplied by 1.96 and added to the most recent value (Fall 2019) to get a five-year goal. (The 1.96 value is a statistically significant difference in a Z-Test [or large sample t-test]. While not a perfect statistical test, it can be helpful in determining a decent increase given the historic variability of the metric.) To get a one-term goal (e.g., the goals calculated below), the aforementioned increase was divided by five.
The Los Rios Community College District’s method for setting the overall course success rate target for each college was calculated based on three fall terms of data. This decision was made in order to more accurately reflect recent changes, such as AB705. The district-wide course success rate remains relatively stable historically; the standard deviation is less than 1 percent (0.31%) district-wide. When using the last three fall terms, the target goal increases the district-wide course success rate from 72.4% in Fall 2019 to 73% district-wide by Fall 2020. The decision to use this method for a district-wide goal was made in collaboration with district and college leadership.
The local CRC and district-wide goals are juxtaposed in the table below. The proposed increase in course success for CRC is similar to the district-wide increase.
| Fall 2019 Course Success | CRC’s Local Success Rate | CRC’s Course Success Rate Target | District-wide Course Success Rate | District-wide Target for each College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69.4% | 69.9% | 72.4% | 73% |
How Are the Two Goals Connected? Why Are We Using Two Goals?
Meeting the local goal of 69.9% and the district goal of 73% are not mutually exclusive. The two goals are presented together because we have more agency to affect student success at CRC than we do across the district. In addition, because we are part of a multi-campus district, we acknowledge how our efforts at CRC can affect students’ success in the district. By increasing our students’ success locally, we also ultimately contribute to an increase in district-level success rates.
Local and District-wide Equity Goals and Differences in Metrics
With regards to equity goals, the course success rate calculations for each race/ethnicity at the district level differ from CRC’s local course success rates. Specifically, the district includes the CRC students’ enrollments at the other Los Rios Colleges (ARC, FLC, and SCC). For example, a student taking one course at CRC and three courses at FLC would have all four courses included in the district-level CRC course success rate. The number of enrollments included in both the numerator and denominator of the district-level calculation are therefore larger than at the local level; in Fall 2019, for African American students, the course success rate was 2094/3642 = 57.5% at the local level and 2434/4204= 57.9% at the district level.
Using the Fall 2019 course success rates, the previously defined method for reducing equity gaps by 40% were calculated by subtracting the overall district-level rate for all CRC students (69.4%) from the rate for a group. This gap was then multiplied by 0.60 (100% - 40% = 60% or 0.60) and subtracted from the district-level goal value (69.9%) for all students. The multiplier 0.60 results in a 40% reduction, which was selected as the target in order to align with the statewide Vision for Success Goal 5.
Using the Fall 2019 course success rates, the previously defined method for reducing equity gaps by 40% was calculated by subtracting the overall district-level rate for all CRC students (72.4%) from the rate for a group. This gap was then multiplied by 0.60 and subtracted from the district-level goal value (73%) for all students. The multiplier 0.60 results in a 40% reduction, which was selected as the target in order to align with the statewide Vision for Success Goal 5.
The local CRC and District-level equity goals for our Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx students are displayed below. Please note, the district-level course success rate targets are slightly higher compared to the local targets.
| Fall 2019 Course Success | CRC’s Local Success Rate | CRC’s Course Success Rate Target | District-level CRC Course Success Rate | District-level CRC Course Success Rate Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black/African American | 57.5% | 62.8% | 57.9% | 63.9% |
| Hispanic/Latinx | 66.1% | 68% | 66.6% | 69.1% |