“We Take EVERYONE”: Perceptions of External Assessment and Accountability at the Community College

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ABSTRACT Assessment, accountability, and transparency represent a greater focus than ever in higher education. Community colleges are not exempt from these requirements, though they are overlooked in the creation of state and national assessment instruments. Therefore, we designed and distributed the Perceptions of Community College Assessment (PCCA) survey, a national mixed methods survey of the perceptions of community college employees (N = 198) who administer or assist in the administration of state and federal community college assessments. Respondents reported low confidence in the accuracy of existing assessment measures used at the state (e.g., performance-based funding measures) and federal (e.g., the College Scorecard) levels. Respondents believed much of the work of community colleges is not captured in existing external assessments which can lead to inaccurate educational data overall. Based on our findings, we recommend that existing federal and state assessment measures be reevaluated, and the classifications of community colleges be expanded to reflect the realities and complexities of modern day community colleges. We further recommend that community college leaders be provided an opportunity to actively assist in the creation of new measures and classifications based on their in the field expertise. Through this research, we seek to educate state and federal decision makers and to provide a tool for community college leaders to advocate for policy and practical changes in the accountability systems used to assess community colleges.