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Projects with Promise

Vol. 30 No. 2 (2026): June 2026

Using the National Student Clearinghouse to Measure Long-Term College Readiness Outcomes

  • Favour C. Ojike
  • Casey D. Mull
  • B. Allen Talbert
  • Pamala V. Morris
Submitted
October 14, 2024
Published
2026-07-10

Abstract

Youth-serving organizations play a pivotal role in preparing youth for higher education. Immediately after program completion, the impact of college-readiness or precollegiate programs on knowledge, skills, and aspirations can be assessed through survey instruments and interviews. However, studying medium- to long-term outcomes, such as college enrollment and completion, poses methodological challenges and time constraints, primarily because multiple data collection points may occur throughout a youth’s educational journey. Using the Indiana 4-H Youth Development organization as a case, this study aimed to demonstrate how the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) can be used to measure long-term college readiness outcomes conveniently and efficiently. Key findings from this study affirm the effectiveness of the NSC and identify opportunities for youth-serving organizations to measure a range of college-readiness outcomes across their diverse audiences. By providing valid and reliable data, the NSC can help inform college readiness policies, practices, and research.