SANFORD — Central Carolina Community College is one of only 26 of the 58 colleges in the North Carolina Community College System to meet or exceed all performance measures set by the NCCCS, according to the System’s 2011 Critical Success Factors Report.

The report, released June 9, is the NCCCS’s major accountability document, serving to inform member colleges and the public of the performance of the state’s community colleges.

“We are pleased that Central Carolina continues to meet the high standards set by the NCCCS,” said CCCC President Bud Marchant. “Our mission is to serve our communities and prepare our students for success in the workforce or at four-year institutions. Meeting the high standards of the NCCCS is a tribute to the dedication to excellence of our employees and our students.” 

Each college was measured against eight performance standards adopted by the State Board of Community Colleges in 2007. The standards are core indicators of student success and express the essential elements of the mission of community colleges: Progress of Basic Skills Students; Passing Rates on Licensure & 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, Graduation, and Transfer; and Client Satisfaction with Customized Training.

The following list shows the percentage of Central Carolina’s students meeting or exceeding the state standard, the percentage standard set by the state, and the average percentage of students in the N.C. Community College System meeting or exceeding the standard.

1. Progress of Basic Skills Students — The percentage of adult literacy students progressing within a level of literacy, completing a level or a pre-determined goal, or advancing to a higher level.

At Central Carolina C.C., 77 percent of the adult literacy students achieved one of these goals. The state performance standard to be met was 75 percent, with the average system-wide achievement, 81 percent.

2. Passing Rates on Licensure & Certification Examinations — The percentage of first-time test takers passing an exam required for N.C. licensure/certification prior to practicing a profession.

At CCCC, 83 percent passed their licensure/certification exams on the first attempt. The state performance standard was 80 percent; the NCCCS average, 86 percent.

3. Performance of College Transfer Students — The percentage of community college transfer students achieving a 2.0 (“C”) grade point average or higher after two semesters at a four-year institution.

Eighty-seven percent of Central Carolina’s transfer students earned a 2.0 GPA or higher after two semesters at a four-year institution. The state performance standard was 83 percent and the NCCCS average, 87 percent.

4. Passing Rates of Students in Developmental Courses — The percentage of students who complete developmental English, math, or reading courses with a grade of “C” or better.

Eighty-one percent of Central Carolina C.C. developmental students earned “C’s” or better. The state Performance Standard was 75 percent and the NCCCS average, 78 percent.

5. Success Rate of Developmental Students in Subsequent College-Level Courses — The percentage of English and math developmental course completers who earned a “D” or better in subsequent college-level English and math courses.

At Central Carolina C.C., 93 percent of the developmental English and math students achieved that grade or higher. The state Performance Standard was 80 percent and the NCCCS average, 88 percent.

6. Satisfaction of Completers and Non-completers — The percentage of graduates and early-leavers who indicate that the quality of the college programs and services met or exceeded their expectations.

At CCCC, 96 percent of graduates or early-leavers said their expectations were met or exceeded. The state Performance Standard was 90 percent and the NCCCS average, 96 percent.

7. Curriculum Student Retention, Graduation, and Transfer — The percentage of the previous year’s enrolled students who have completed a curriculum program, are still enrolled, or have transferred to a university or another community college.

At CCCC, 66 percent of the curriculum students achieved one of these goals. The state Performance Standard was 65 percent and the NCCCS average, 68 percent.  

8. Client Satisfaction with Customized Training — The percentage of businesses and industries rating services from community college Small Business Centers and Customized Training as “very good” or “excellent.”

Ninety-seven percent of businesses that received services from Central Carolina’s SBC and 100 percent of industries who received Customized Training services through the Industry Services Office said the services were excellent or very good. The state performance standard was 90 percent, with the NCCCS averaging 95 percent for the SBC’s and 99 percent for Customized Training.

“Over the past three years, our community colleges have enrolled more students than ever before and have stretched limited dollars to meet the demand,” said NCCCS President Scot Ralls. “Yet, even under the strain of increased enrollment and reduced funding, we have continued to focus our efforts on student success and completion. The outcomes of these performance measures demonstrate the quality of education and training North Carolina community colleges provide in a time when the state needs it most.”

For more information about Central Carolina Community College’s programs, visit its Web site, www.cccc.edu. For the full 2011 Critical Success Factors report for the N.C. Community College System, go to:  www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/Publications/docs/Publications/csf2011.pdf.