ACHIEVING THE DREAM
Mark A. Smith
What is Achieving the Dream?

Greater Texas Foundation – Funded 5 Texas
community colleges
 2-year
grant
 Kick-off training – June 15 - 18
 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
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
Four Principles
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Committed Leadership
Use of Evidence to improve policies, programs, and
service – Data Driven Decision Making
Broad Engagement
Systematic institutional improvement
Committed Leadership


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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
Use of Evidence
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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
Broad Engagement

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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
Systematic Institutional Improvement
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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
Five Step Process
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Commit
Use Data to Prioritize Actions
Engage Stakeholders
Implement, Evaluate, Improve
Establish a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Questions