Using High School Data to Predict College Success
Basis partnered with McREL to study the effectiveness of high school preparation measures at Palau Community College.
Why our Evaluation Matters
College readiness isn’t just about whether students graduate from high school; it’s about whether they enter college with the academic preparation and support needed to succeed.
By identifying which high school indicators were most strongly associated with college outcomes, the work gave education leaders practical evidence for targeting academic supports before students arrive on campus.
Determining Strategies for Success
The project linked data from the Palau Ministry of Education and Palau Community College to understand how high school academic preparation related to later college success. The analysis examined high school GPA, Palau Achievement Test scores, English and math course performance, and career academy participation, while controlling for other academic preparation variables, gender, and college cohort.
The study defined college success in three measurable ways: earning a cumulative GPA os 2.0 or higher in the first year, persisting to a second year, and completing an associate degree or certificate within three years.
Statistics
Impact in Action
students studied
The analysis focused on Palau High School graduates who enrolled at Palau Community College in the fall after graduation.
persisted to a second year
Slightly more than half of students continued enrollment into year two.
completed within three years
One in five students completed an associate degree or certificate within three years.
completion probability at a 4.0 high school GPA
The model estimated that students with a 4.0 high school GPA had a 40% probability of completing a credential within three years, compared to 11% at a 3.0 GPA and 2% at a 2.0 GPA