Targets: Increasing College Graduation

Target-setting is an important step in achieving positive outcomes for children, youth, families and the community.  In order to achieve better results, leaders can commit to setting a measurable target and a timeframe for its accomplishment.

Questions to Consider. 

• Based on trend and projection data what is an achievable target?    

• How will the target be used?
  • As an inspiration for mobilizing public will and action?
  • As a benchmark for measuring performance and accountability?

• Can targets be set for specific groups or regions within the state?
  • How will local targets be incorporated, if at all, into the state target? What support can the state give to local entities to set and achieve targets?
  • How will racial disparities, geographic differences and other variations be considered? 

• What will ensure targets are appropriately set and used over time?
  • How can you prevent targets from being misused for punitive purposes or from leading to unintended consequences and poor practices? 

Washington is one of many states setting specific goals for numbers of degrees awarded. A task force charged by Governor Gregoire recently recommended increasing the number of public bachelor’s degrees awarded each year by 27% by 2018, with 19% of those degrees going to students from traditionally underrepresented groups.