U.S. Department of Education: Promoting Educational Excellence for all Americans

A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education

Goal 8: To improve postsecondary education by making grants to institutions in support of reform and innovation.
Objective 1 of 4: PROMOTE REFORMS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING AT POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS.
Indicator 8.1.1 of 2: Quality of postsecondary reforms: The percentage of innovative educational reforms that are tested and implemented will increase.
Targets and Performance Data Assessment of Progress Sources and Data Quality
FIPSE projects scoring A or B in Final Report Card
Year Actual Performance Performance Targets
1997
84
 
1998
88
 
1999
73
 
2000
82
100
2001
84
90
2002
 
95
Status: Target met.

Explanation: Reflects quality of FIPSE's grant awards and improved monitoring systems. Expect project quality to remain at approximately this level, but will try to raise further.   		Additional Source Information: Final Report Scorecard.

Frequency: Annually.
Validated By: Experienced Public/Private Entity.

Limitations: Have revised form to match indicators more closely. Special focused monitoring to raise grades of projects further.

 
Indicator 8.1.2 of 2: Replication of projects: The number of projects that are adapted in full or in part, or whose materials are used by other institutions, will increase over the number in previous years.
Targets and Performance Data Assessment of Progress Sources and Data Quality
Percentage of FIPSE grantees reporting full project dissemination to others
Year Actual Performance Performance Targets
1998
92
 
1999
100
 
2000
83
100
2001
96
85
2002
 
95
Status: Target exceeded.

Explanation: FIPSE considers itself successful on this measure if 8 of every 10 projects result in project models being adapted on other campuses   		Additional Source Information: Final Report Scorecard.

Frequency: Annually.
Validated By: No Formal Verification.
Similar results from site visit scorecard.

Limitations: Data supplied by project directors in response to survey instruments. Have revised form to match indicators more closely. Planning an external evaluation of the Comprehensive Program through PES around these indicators.

 

Objective 2 of 4: INCREASE PARTICIPATION AND COMPLETION RATES OF STUDENTS IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.
Indicator 8.2.1 of 1: Student completion rate: Participants in FIPSE persistence-related projects will complete postsecondary education at higher rates than in previous years.
Targets and Performance Data Assessment of Progress Sources and Data Quality
Percentage of retention/completion projects reporting improved student persistence rates
Year Actual Performance Performance Targets
1997
48
 
1998
35
 
1999
62
 
2000
100
75
2001
88
80
2002
 
85
Status: Target exceeded.

Explanation: Projects addressing persistence issues face numerous difficulties in implementation. Past experience suggests that a 75 percent success rate would be extraordinary. The 100 percent figure for 2000 was unexpected and is unlikely to be repeated. The 2001 data of 88 percent persistence is higher than expected. Sample is somewhat small because most FIPSE grants include persistence in their grant goals but few are absolutely focused on persistence as the solitary goal.   		Additional Source Information: Final Report Scorecard.

Frequency: Annually.
Validated By: No Formal Verification.
Site visit scorecard.

Limitations: Data reported by directors of retention projects. Small sample size. Have revised form to match indicators more closely.

 

Objective 3 of 4: INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF FIPSE PROGRAMS.
Indicator 8.3.1 of 1: Projects sustained : The number of projects sustained at least 2 years beyond Federal funding will be maintained or increased beyond current level.
Targets and Performance Data Assessment of Progress Sources and Data Quality
Percentage of Projects reporting full or partial institutionalization on their home campuses
Year Actual Performance Performance Targets
1998
93
 
1999
96
 
2000
94
100
2001
100
95
2002
 
95
Status: Target exceeded.

Explanation: FIPSE's emphasis on institutional contributions to projects and development of long-term continuation plans are designed to embed projects within campus structures. Expect the rate of institutionalization to be in the 90-100% range, but not 100% each year.   		Additional Source Information: Final Report Scorecard.

Frequency: Annually.
Validated By: No Formal Verification.
Compare site visits and staff contacts.

Limitations: Have revised form to match indicators more closely. Planning an external evaluation of the Comprehensive Program through PES around these indicators.

 

Objective 4 of 4: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION FOR FIPSE PROGRAMS.
Indicator 8.4.1 of 1: Project directors, overall satisfaction with FIPSE programs and services: Satisfaction levels from previous year will be met or exceeded
Targets and Performance Data Assessment of Progress Sources and Data Quality
Percentage of grantees reporting that FIPSE staff provides full support
Year Actual Performance Performance Targets
1997
98
 
1998
98
 
1999
100
 
2000
91
100
2001
100
100
2002
 
100
Status: Target met.

Explanation: A comprehensive set of monitoring procedures has been developed. Five instruments measure progress here; the Final Report Scorecard results are validated by the other four measures listed under validation.   		Additional Source Information: Final Report Scorecard.

Frequency: Annually.
Validated By: No Formal Verification.
Multiple Workshops; Project Surveys; Meeting Evaluation; Performance Scorecard.

Limitations: Added a grantee online database of our entire grant portfolio to serve grantees more efficiently.

 

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