CCRC Webinar Explores How Colleges Are Using Data to Target Equity Gaps

What can educators and researchers learn from colleges that appear to have narrowed equity gaps after several years of reforms to advising and student supports?

In a recent webinar, CCRC researchers explained how they are exploring that question at six colleges that were part of the Integrated Planning and Advising for Student Success (iPASS) initiative. First, the researchers used data to identify colleges that narrowed gaps, and now they are investigating which policies and practices at the six colleges are contributing to more equitable outcomes.

In the webinar, CCRC researchers Andrea Lopez Salazar and Armando Lizarraga explained the steps of the data analysis. Staff from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC)—one of the six colleges in the study—explained how they are using data to better understand the impact of their student support initiatives and to begin to design more equitable systems.

“Further disaggregating data is leading us to ask better questions,” said Matthew Petersen, the manager of student retention at NWTC.

A recording of the webinar is available below. You can also download the PowerPoint slides. A report on the research is expected to be available in spring 2022.