Momentum Points
Momentum points are metrics that track students’ progress during their first year of college, which research has shown to correlate with achieving educational goals in later years. These leading indicators allow the college to assess the potential long-term impact of large-scale changes in systems, processes, and policies.
Momentum Points Defined
Students who are enrolling in college for the first time are grouped into a cohort. Their progress is tracked using the following metrics through the end of their first fall term and first academic year
By end of first term, successful completion of
- 6 or more college credits
- 12 or more college credits
By end of first year, successful completion of
- College math (100-level or higher)
- College writing (121-level or higher)
- Both college writing and math
- 24 or more college credits
- 36 or more college credits
- 45 or more college credits
Findings
| Successful Completion 1st Term | F2019 | F2020 | F2021 | F2022 | F2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6+ college credits | 57.0% | 57.3% | 50.0% | 52.1% | 54.9% |
| 12+ college credits | 23.1% | 23.8% | 21.7% | 21.2% | 23.8% |
Compared to fall 2022, higher percentages of fall 2023 first-time students completed 6+ college-level credits and 12+ college credits.
| Successful Completion 1st Year | F2019 | F2020 | F2021 | F2022 | F2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College Writing | 48.9% | 49.8% | 46.2% | 46.7% | 46.7% |
| College Math | 24.1% | 28.4% | 25.4% | 22.6% | 18.2% |
| College WR and MTH | 19.5% | 22.6% | 20.0% | 17.7% | 15.2% |
A similar percentage of students completed college writing by the end of their first year compared to the prior year cohort.? However, the percentage of students completing college math or both college math and writing was lower than each of the previous four years.
| Successful Completion 1st Year | F2019 | F2020 | F2021 | F2022 | F2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24+ college credits | 33.7% | 34.8% | 32.4% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| 36+ college credits | 11.9% | 13.2% | 12.6% | 12.3% | 13.4% |
| 45+ college credits | 1.3% | 1.95% | 2.1% | 1.5% | 2.0% |
Compared to the 2022 cohort, higher percentages of the 2023 cohort successfully completed 24+, 36+ and 45 or more college credits by the end of their first academic year.
Note:? College-level credits are associated with credit courses sequenced 100-level and higher
Source: Argos, YESS, Momentum Points, June 2024