Measuring Student Success in an Era of Heightened Accountability and Big Data

Abstract

Higher education in the United States has been called to the mat to prove the return on investment by students, taxpayers, governments, and other funding sources. This call for accountability requires the use of “big” data to demonstrate student success, continuous improvement, and stewardship. However, using big data in the U.S. higher education system is still a newer concept. The available research and tools for this work is growing as institutions embrace this new era. This chapter explores the use of big data in higher education in the United States through the framework of the historical perspective, current trends, and changing needs and demographics of the nation.