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JRCERT Update

Reporting Program Effectiveness Data

Laura Aaron, PhD, R.T.(R)(M)(QM), FASRT

n recent years, the federal government has been This review revealed that the reporting of program
moving toward increasing the accountability and effectiveness data has been a challenge for many pro-
transparency of educational institutions and pro- grams. However, the sponsoring educational institu-
Igrams. This accountability is intended to assist tion, accreditors, and a variety of other entities require
members of the public in making informed decisions that various details be reported. Data collection, analy-
about selecting the educational institution that best sis, and sharing of information can be daunting and
meets their postsecondary educational needs. The time-consuming, but it is important to remember that
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic the driving forces behind program data reporting are
Technology (JRCERT) is recognized not only by the accountability and transparency.
U.S. Department of Education but also by the When attempting to meet this goal, consideration
Council for Higher Education Accreditation, a non- should be given to what the public needs to know in
governmental organization. Just as JRCERT- order to have a clear picture of the program’s effective-
accredited programs must adhere to the JRCERT ness. For example, national certification examination pass
Standards for Accredited Educational Programs, the rates often are cited by programs as indicators of student
JRCERT also must follow the requirements of these preparedness for the workforce. In comparing 2 programs
agencies. Consistent with Council for Higher with the same percentages of graduates passing the
Education Accreditation requirements, programs examination each year, would both programs be consid-
accredited by the JRCERT must provide program ered equally effective? Review the example in the Table
information to the public in a way that is easily acces- before making a decision.
sible and understood. Both programs have similar percentages of students
In December 2013, JRCERT-accredited programs passing the national certification examination on the
were asked to review their Web sites and provide infor- first attempt each year within 6 months of graduation.
mation about where and how they communicate their However, program A had significantly fewer students
mission statement, goals, and student learning out- taking the examination each year than did program B. If
comes, as well as to report program effectiveness data to only the percentage passing is provided, people cannot
the public in a clear and easily accessible manner. The objectively compare programs. In addition, it is impor-
JRCERT then reviewed each program’s Web pages to tant that programs do not average the percentages. In
determine whether the Council for Higher Education this example, both program A and program B would
Accreditation requirements had been met. report a 5-year average pass rate of 86.2%, if the annual

224 RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, November/December 2014, Volume 86, Number 2
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2019. All rights reserved.