Resources and Links

From Achieving the Dream’s “SUCCESS is what counts”:
“Achieving the Dream was created to help more community college students succeed — complete courses, earn certificates and earn degrees. The initiative is built on the belief that broad institutional change — informed by student achievement data — is critical to achieve this result.”

“Achieving the Dream colleges have made specific commitments to improve student achievement on their campuses. They have pledged to maintain open access while working to increase the percentage of first-time credential-seeking students who:

• Complete developmental courses and move on to credit-bearing courses. Now, 27 percent of students referred to developmental education courses complete those courses.
• Enroll in and complete gatekeeper courses, such as introductory math and English. Now, 11 percent complete gatekeeper courses in both math and English.
• Complete the courses they take, earning a grade of C or higher. Our data allow us to measure course completion with any grade. Now, 59 percent of credits attempted are completed with any grade.
• Re-enroll from one semester to the next. Now, 70 percent of first-semester students re-enroll for the second semester; 44 percent of first-semester students re-enroll for both the second and third semesters.
• Earn certificates and degrees. Now, 11 percent earn some type of credential (certificate or degree).

To improve student achievement, colleges have agreed to use data to drive strategies, monitor progress and evaluate outcomes; develop strategies to close performance gaps among students; involve their faculty, students, staff and communities in their efforts; report data and outcomes broadly, both on and off campus; form partnerships with their communities, local businesses and others; and advocate for state and national policy changes as needed.”

ACC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Accreditation signifies that ACC has the services, resources, and programs necessary to provide students with a quality education, and the authority to award degrees and certificates. Accreditation also:

• Offers students access to federal financial aid.
• Facilitates the transfer of course credits to other institutions.
• Promotes excellence in such areas as curriculum, faculty credentials, and student services.
• Positions ACC as a preferred choice against non-accredited institutions.

We invite you to browse this site to learn about ACC’s compliance with accrediting standards, get updates about the Reaffirmation of Accreditation process, and discover how the College’s Quality Enhancement Plan will enrich student learning for years to come.

An acronym is a word or name formed from the initial components of a longer name or phrase, usually using individual initial letters, as in ACC or FTIC. This list highlights some common acronyms used through the OIRA Site.

AIR is a global association that empowers higher education professionals at all levels to utilize data, analytics, information, and evidence to make decisions and take actions that benefit students and institutions and improve higher education.

Functions:

1. Develops and updates the College-Wide Technology Plan.
2. Recommends annual college-wide capital equipment budget for instructional and administrative technology expenditures to the Executive Vice President based upon faculty and staff input.
3. Monitors the annual expenditures of capital funds for timeliness and standards compliance.
4. Establishes criteria and standards for instructional and information technologies and monitors compliance.
5. Prepares administrative rules relating to technology and procedures and guidelines for procuring, replacing and reallocating technology resources.
6. Assists in the dissemination of technology information.

The ACC Faculty Handbook is an online quick reference guide detailing information pertaining to full-time and adjunct faculty. It provides general information about College policy, procedures, services for faculty and faculty responsibilities.

IPEDS Survey Components

IPEDS data are submitted at the aggregated-level from postsecondary institutions and do not have student-level information. Institutions submit data through 12 interrelated survey components about general higher education topics for 3 reporting periods.

An open learning space that curates content for faculty and assessment professionals through housed resources and tools for student learning outcomes, teaching and learning, program review and accreditation.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. NCES is located within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences. NCES fulfills a Congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report complete statistics on the condition of American education; conduct and publish reports; and review and report on education activities internationally.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and other international sites approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications from other international institutions of higher education.

The Texas Association for Institutional Research (TAIR) is the professional organization supporting institutional research, planning, evaluation, and policy analysis in Texas institutions of higher education. TAIR provides professional development opportunities through its annual conference, pre- and post-conference workshops, and other professional development activities held at various times of the year.

The mission of the THECB is to provide leadership and coordination for Texas higher education and to promote access, affordability, quality, success, and cost efficiency through 60x30TX, resulting in a globally competitive workforce that positions Texas as an international leader.

Find labor market information about the Texas economy and workforce. Use tools to target your business development, explore industry and economic trends, and research and track emerging and evolving occupations in Texas.