University of North Carolina Joins PAR Framework
The University of North
Carolina (UNC) system has joined
the PAR
Framework,
an organization of higher education institutions that share their data
in an
effort to provide one another with predictive models and benchmarks.
With the massive amount of
data shared by the member institutions, PAR Framework is designed to offer a
number of
research assets and tools to provide effective and appropriate
interventions
that lead to greater success for at-risk students.
The UNC system's goal with
its collaboration is to encourage success for more postsecondary
students in
the state.
"Unlocking insights from
student success benchmark data is essential for realizing our vision
for
academic excellence, access and opportunity for all of our students,"
said
University of North Carolina President Margaret Spellings. "We look
forward to
contributing the expertise of North Carolina's faculty and
institutional
leaders to shape the conversation and improve outcomes nationwide."
The PAR Framework was started
in 2011 with the help of a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and acquired earlier this year by Hobsons, a company that provides a
number of resources
to educational institutions. With access to data on 2 million students,
other
members include the University of Hawaii system, the North Dakota University system and the University System of Maryland.
"PAR's approach to the
measurement of intervention effectiveness makes it possible for systems
to
collaborate on shared strategic goals aimed at transforming
institutional
effectiveness and student success," said PAR CEO Beth Davis.
The University of North
Carolina, the oldest public university in the nation, has almost
225,000
students in every one of North Carolina's public institutions that
grant
baccalaureate degrees.
About the Author
Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.