Suggestions for Improving the IPEDS Graduation Rate Survey Data Collection and Reporting

In 1990, Congress enacted the Student Right-to-Know (SRTK) Act which requires colleges and universities to disclose the rate students complete academic programs at postsecondary education institutions. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) at the U.S. Department of Education developed the Graduation Rate Survey (GRS) to help institutions comply with the SRTK requirements. The purpose of this paper is to present recommendations for reducing complexity and confusion of completing the GRS survey as well as improve the standardization of data. The paper summarizes findings from two activities: deliberations of the NPEC GRS Working Group (with feedback from the full NPEC membership) and an analysis of graduation rate survey perceptions using entries in the Common Dataset listserve.

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