Performance Measures
The Performance Measures for Student Success Report is published annually by the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and serves as the System’s major accountability document. The outcomes funding model associated with the performance measures was implemented in 2013 and recommendations from the most recent review were approved in 2024.
A major component of this model is the establishment of system-wide baseline and excellence levels for each measure. These statistically defined levels were developed to provide consistency and promote transparency, simplicity, and objectivity. Baseline levels are set two standard deviations below the system’s average index scores, excellence levels are set one standard deviation above the system’s average index scores, and the average band is within 0.5 standard deviations above or below the average index scores.
The performance summary below lists each performance measure, the system baseline and goal, the results for RCC, and RCC’s peer group based on the 2025 Performance Measures for Student Success report from the NCCCS.
A. Basic Skills Student Progress: Index score based on the percentage of Basic Skills periods of participation (POP) with a measurable skill gain (MSG).
- NCCCS Baseline: 0.647
- NCCCS Excellence: 1.225
- RCC: 0.801
- Peer Group Average: 0.989
B. Student Success Rate in College-Level English Courses: Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall non-dually enrolled associate degree seeking students passing a credit-bearing English course with a “C” or better within three years.
- NCCCS Baseline: 0.622
- NCCCS Excellence: 1.081
- RCC: 0.804
- Peer Group Average: 0.831
C. Student Success Rate in College‐Level Math Courses: Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall non-dually enrolled associate degree seeking students passing a credit-bearing Math course with a “C” or better within three years.
- NCCCS Baseline: 0.417
- NCCCS Excellence: 1.115
- RCC: 0.577
- Peer Group Average: 0.677
D. First Year Progression: Index score based on the percentage of first‐time fall credential‐seeking curriculum students graduated prior to or enrolled in postsecondary education the subsequent fall semester.
- NCCCS Baseline: 0.881
- NCCCS Excellence: 1.063
- RCC: 1.003
- Peer Group Average: 1.001
E. Curriculum Completion: Index score based on the percentage of first‐time fall credential‐seeking curriculum students who graduate, transfer, or are enrolled during the fourth academic year with 42 successfully completed non‐developmental hours.
- NCCCS Baseline: 0.754
- NCCCS Excellence: 1.086
- RCC: 0.940
- Peer Group Average: 0.997
F. Licensure and Certification Passing Rate: Index score based on the percentage of first‐time test‐takers passing licensure and certification exams within each exam. Exams included in this measure are state mandated exams which candidates must pass before becoming active practitioners.
- NCCCS Baseline: 0.754
- NCCCS Excellence: 1.086
- RCC: 0.953
- Peer Group Average: 0.928
G. College Transfer Performance: Index score based on the percentage of community college graduating exiters with an AA/AS/AFA/AE degree and non-graduating transfer program exiters completing 30 or more articulated transfer credits who enroll at a four-year university or college within two academic years following community college exit.
- NCCCS Baseline: 0.816
- NCCCS Excellence: 1.056
- RCC: 1.040
- Peer Group Average: 0.919