Graduation Rate Improvements

By Anntrell Sylvia-Brown

                                    Courtesy of Aquantis Williams

Aquantis Williams (cq), holding degree from Atlanta Metro

            Atlanta Metropolitan State College graduation rates are significantly lower versus other schools in the University System of Georgia but are working to achieve their yearly goals; these goals are based on factors such as retention rate, course success rate, and graduation rate.

Atlanta Metro updates student achievements yearly (semester to semester). This information is provided to the public so they are able to choose a school that fits their academic needs.

“I didn’t feel prepared when going to other universities here in Georgia,” said Tierra Sims, a sophomore computer science major from Atlanta. “Our school makes you feel welcome and provides amazing programs that make me want to stay to pursue more degrees here.”

The retention rates (the percentage or likeliness that freshman return for their sophomore year) are observed from the cohort group of 2012 versus the cohort group of 2013.  This shows that Atlanta Metro retention rates will equal or exceed those of the USG State College average.

To indicate whether or not your rates are good, you must look at whether 85 percent or more students came back for their sophomore year or second term. This shows that they were academically stable and happy.

“I’ve been here since 2013 completing my three-year degree and will be graduating soon,” said Benny Jones, a junior business major from Atlanta. “I feel pretty happy here and there are a load of activities to do on the campus so that doesn’t hurt.”

Progression rates or course success rates express how many credit hours will be completed during a student’s academic career at a school. Atlanta Metro says, “Students will earn at least 90 percent of credit hours attempted.”

Earning at least 90 percent of their credits makes sure that students have enough credits to graduate or transfer to other schools that offer advanced programs. Part-time students earn around 80.9 percent while full-time 83.7 percent in the fall 2014 group Part-time students earn 83.1 percent while full-time students 84.3 percent in the fall 2015 group. The school is making progress towards the goal of getting students to earn their credits for a degree.

“We have a database that shows how well our students are doing and we are around the 80 or better percentile,” said Michael Ringfield, data entry clerk from registrar’s office.

The 2010 cohort and 2011 cohort were compared in graduation rates versus other universities in Georgia. Students will have achieved graduation rates equal to or higher than those for the state college average. So far, Atlanta Metro has exceeded other universities schools by 10.2 percent versus the college average of 8.8 percent in 2011. The following year, it decreased by 0.9 percent but still exceeded the college average by 0.8 percent. In comparison to Georgia

“Georgia State has boosted its graduation rate by 22 points over the past decade, even though state spending per student has shrunk and the student population has grown poorer and more diverse,” said Risa Palm, vice president of Academic Affairs from Georgia State.

Georgia State is a popular choice by demand in the university system among Georgia college students in part to the fact it is in the center of the city. There are multiple spots for students to hang out.

Although it is a common choice, students feel as if there weren’t a lot of options to help stay on top of class work. A student from Georgia State mentions how she felt about the situation and what she was doing to resolve it.

“I haven’t been doing well in my classes because I wasn’t staying focus,” said Elizabeth Giron, a sophomore accounting major at Georgia State from Cartersville. “I will be transferring to Atlanta Metro to build up my GPA and graduate from there.”

The university has now found affordable ways to give students more one-on-one attention through tutoring programs in the cooperative learning laboratory. They are offering language and writing, math, and economic tutor locations to help.

 “I wish that we had more programs like other schools to help us stay on top of our work,” said Giron from Georgia State.

Atlanta Metro’s school motto is to Believe, Begin, and Become. They have done just that by including academic programs such as TRIO, Upward Bound, and Dual Enrollment.

Now schools are working to satisfy student’s needs by including academic programs to succeed along with tutors. The improvements after using these tools may be able to increase the school’s rates in the long run and keep students happy.

 “No matter where you intend to apply, whether it be from a traditional school or community school, look into factors that may determine if you are able to graduate and be successful,” said Gabrielle Cartwright, a sophomore nursing major from Atlanta.

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