Achieving the Dream, Inc.
It is a national nonprofit that is dedicated to helping more community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. Evidence-based, student-centered, and built on the values of equity and excellence, Achieving the Dream is closing achievement gaps and accelerating student success nationwide by:
- Guiding evidence-based institutional improvement
- Influencing public policy
- Generating knowledge
- Engaging the public
Conceived as an initiative in 2004 by Lumina Foundation and seven founding partner organizations, today, Achieving the Dream leads the most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. With nearly 200 colleges, 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams – working throughout 32 states and the District of Columbia – Achieving the Dream helps 3.75 million community college students have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity and achieving their dreams.
NECC Achieving the Dream Goals
(approved by the Core Team from analysis of NECC data by Institutional Research and the Data Team):
- Mathematics:
Improve outcomes for all students in all cohorts in developmental and college level math - English Composition:
Improve outcomes for all students in all cohorts in English Composition I - Males in Developmental Reading and Writing:
Improve outcomes for male students in developmental reading and writing - Students 25 Years and younger in Developmental Reading and Writing:
Improve outcomes for students 25 years and younger in developmental reading and writing - Hispanic Students in Writing Courses:
Improve outcomes for Hispanic students in developmental writing, and in the transition into and through college level composition.
NECC Data & Assessment Team Charter
Achieving the Dream colleges like NECC 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
- Enroll in and complete gatekeeper courses, such as introductory math and English
- Complete the courses they take, earning a grade of C or higher
- Re-enroll from one semester to the next
- Earn certificates and degrees