Step 4. Evaluate Retention Outcomes

For each strategy identified, the campus units responsible must identify appropriate measures to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of the strategy. This step is critical for both internal and external accountability.

The evaluation strategies should be an extension of the institutional assessment and student assessment that informed the long-term and short-term retention goals. A few of the most common evaluation strategies used by campuses are:

A. Student-Satisfaction Studies (all students).
B. Institutional-Priorities Studies (faculty, staff, administrators).
C. Exit Interviews (graduating seniors).
D. Program Audits and Reviews (self-study and accreditation).
E. Academic-Standards Review (academic rules and regulations, especially those in the college catalog).
F. Retention/Attrition Studies (all students).

Proceed to Step 5. Prepare Realistic Timelines and Allocate Resources