#23

Title: NPEC Data Feedback Project

Type: Informational

Summary

The National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (NPEC), in partnership with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), is preparing to release the first annual Data Feedback Report, using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), to each postsecondary institution nationwide. The report, which will be customized for each institution, contains analyses of IPEDS data submitted by the subject institution and comparison institutions. The printed version of the report will be mailed to the Chief Executive Officers of each postsecondary institution in the IPEDS universe in October 2004. The IPEDS Keyholder will receive an advance electronic copy of the report approximately two weeks before the formal release of the printed report. The purpose of the NPEC IPEDS Data Feedback Report is to demonstrate to institutions the utility of IPEDS data for institutional trend and comparative analyses, and encourage the use of the new IPEDS Executive Peer Tool and the IPEDS Peer Analysis System. By providing each institution an analysis of its own IPEDS data along with comparable data for comparison institutions, NPEC and NCES hope to improve both the utility and quality of data and information to support decision-making at the institutional level.

Current Status

Content of the Data Feedback Report.

• The report will present a set of derived variables drawn from the IPEDS Enrollment, Completion, Staff, Finance, and Graduation Rate surveys.



• The report will include more than 50 variables presented in approximately 10 graphs.



• The data will be drawn from the 2003-04 IPEDS collection cycle.



• The report will also present data for a "sample comparison group" developed with criteria appropriate for the various types of institutions represented in the IPEDS universe. Some examples of the criteria used include sector, Carnegie classification, enrollment, research expenditures, and geographic region.

Implications for Institutions

For many years, IPEDS data were primarily used to support federal and state policy and decision-making. The availability of IPEDS data on the NCES Web site now makes institutional-level analysis feasible for all postsecondary institutions through the Peer Analysis System. The NPEC IPEDS Data Feedback Report will introduce the use of the Peer Analysis System to all institutions in the postsecondary universe.

In order to encourage the use of the Peer Analysis System, a new Executive Peer Tool will be launched on the IPEDS Web site in conjunction with the release of the Data Feedback Report. This tool will allow new IPEDS data users to select a preferred peer group, and to examine the exact same set of derived variables and figures presented in the NPEC IPEDS Data Feedback Report with this new group.

The quality of IPEDS data has improved over the years as compliance has increased and data definitions have been clarified. The NPEC IPEDS Data Feedback Report will continue this effort at improving data quality by enabling institutions to examine the data submitted in relationship to similar institutions.

Timeline

September 2004 - Advance release by e-mail to IPEDS Keyholders

October 2004 - Print version of the Data Feedback Report mailed to institutional CEOs

Additional Resources

• National Postsecondary Education Cooperative http://www.nces.ed.gov/npec



• National Center for Education Statistics: http://www.nces.ed.gov

Author:
Mark L. Putnam

Coordinated by the Higher Education Data Policy Committee. All opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Association for Institutional Research.