The origins of institutional effectiveness are traced, its evolution within community colleges is described, the use of the term "institutional effectiveness" is analyzed, and a practical, operational definition of the term is presented. The author hopes that this definition and the discussion in this article prove useful to community college…

The term "institutional effectiveness" was developed in response to accreditation, and this emphasizes the large extent to which accreditation drives institutional effectiveness efforts on community college campuses. There are two general types of accreditation. "Institutional accreditation" is the process by which institutions of higher education…

Between June 1987 and June 1989, Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) undertook several activities to assess student outcomes in accordance with the college's 1987 plan for student assessment. Specific measures included determining entering student characteristics, college transfer education outcomes, occupational/technical education…

In spring 1987, Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) conducted a survey to determine employer satisfaction with the college's occupational/technical graduates. Survey forms were sent to the employers of 62 graduates who had previously granted permission for their employers to be contacted. Study findings, based on responses from 50…

In the winter and spring of 1988, a graduate survey was conducted at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) to determine graduates' employment and education activities and the impact PVCC had on their further education or careers. Surveys were mailed to all 227 students who graduated from PVCC in 1986-87, requesting information on the jobs the…