Turning Data into Direction with the PDP

Webinar Highlights the Functionality and Effectiveness of the Postsecondary Data Partnership

Carrie Hodge, Director of Data Analysis at Complete College America, used to run a college writing center. When she started collecting data on who came to the center, she found that nursing students were the second-highest users. Because their building was across campus, she wanted to make it easier for them to access the center.

Hodge placed a folding table in front of the nursing building and staffed it with a tutor. The result? Fewer drops, fails, and withdrawals and better retention, plus a clear demonstration of how real-time data can drive meaningful change.

“By bringing the help directly to them…helped the retention levels in those courses, which then helped the overall retention at a KPI level,” explained Hodge. “That’s what we want to see happen when we talk about metrics. A little free table creates a domino effect for all other metrics.”

Hodge shared this story during a recent webinar where she was joined by Kathleen Boody, PDP Account Manager Specialist II at the National Student Clearinghouse. The purpose of the webinar was to demonstrate what the Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP) is all about. That is, empowering institutions to act on their data.

Why Should IR Professionals Use the PDP?

Institutional researchers (IR) seek insights from plentiful amounts of data. These insights are used to support strategic planning, accreditation, and student success initiatives. The PDP helps them do that.

Through its standardized metrics, dynamic dashboards, and benchmarking tools, the PDP offers a centralized, visual, and actionable way to understand student progress. It’s not just about reporting outcomes. It’s about identifying patterns – credit accumulation, enrollment trends, etc. – and using those insights to intervene when and where needed.

From Dashboards to Dialogue

During the webinar, Boody emphasized that the PDP isn’t just a data tool. It’s also a conversation starter. With multiple dashboards and dozens of filters, it enables teams to explore data by GPA, program of study, enrollment status, and more.

Want to know if students with a 2.0 GPA are accumulating enough credits to stay on track? The Credit Accumulation Rate Dashboard can show you. Curious how your outcomes compare to peer institutions? The Benchmarking Dashboard has you covered.

“These metrics and subpopulations are intended for you, as an institution, to identify where there may be some struggle or where improvement can be made,” said Boody. “That is why all of these dimensions and filters exist. You can also slice [the data] and look at it to find your true student sweet spots.”

Key Takeaways

Data doesn’t drive change – people do. IR professionals turn data into direction when they are equipped with the right tools, frameworks, and access.

Ultimately, attendees left the webinar with four key takeaways, the cornerstones of strong measurement systems.

1. Measure What Matters: Focus on KPIs aligned with institutional goals
2. Source the Right Data: Standardize and democratize access
3. Use the PDP Tools: Leverage dashboards and secure sharing
4. Have Regular Data Conversations: Build a culture of data-informed decision-making

Take Action

If you missed the webinar, “Turning Data into Direction: Using the PDP to Set and Support Institutional Goals,” or want to dive deeper, here are two ways to take action.

• Watch the webinar on-demand. Hear directly from Carrie Hodge and Kathleen Boody about how the PDP can transform your data strategy.
• Explore the PDP dashboards. Learn how to access, interpret, and act on your institution’s data through the PDP.

“That’s what we want to see happen when we talk about metrics. A little free table creates a domino effect for all other metrics.”

Carrie Hodge
Ed.D., Director of Data Analysis, Complete College America