The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) last week launched the Voluntary Framework of Accountability (VFA), a custom framework that allows 2-year colleges to measure student performance in areas such as college readiness, academic progress, and job placement. Community colleges have typically been assessed on the same measures as 4-year colleges and universities, which, according to AACC, do not always match the mission or characteristics of students at community colleges. The VFA will give community colleges specific metrics that will assess student progress and achievement, implementation of CTE programs and transparency in reporting outcomes.
AACC is asking its members to adopt the framework and is seeking endorsement from accrediting bodies and adoption by states and community-college systems. The framework will be available to all community colleges in 2012.
Nancy Conneely, Public Policy Manager
Tags: accountability, college and career readiness, community colleges, postsecondary