The VFA is structured as a multi-phases initiative.

Planning (completed):

AACC, ACCT, and College Board, with support from the Lumina Foundation for Education, reviewed research to identify the need for a common accountability framework among community colleges and determine potential next steps.

At the close of the planning period, two reports were issued to inform the start of the VFA initiative:

•  Principles and Plans: A Voluntary Framework of Accountability (VFA) For Community Colleges [AACC, ACCT, The College Board]
•  Performance Accountability Systems for Community Colleges: Lessons from Ten States [Community College Research Center]

Development of Metrics (completed):

Based upon the discovery and planning period, AACC and its partners managed the development of metrics for the VFA -  to help community colleges gather and use data to improve their effectiveness.

Development of the metrics included:

• Analysis of current college and state data collection efforts
• Development of a common set of measures detailed in a technical manual to instruct in calculation of the metrics
• Pilot testing of the common measures
• A framework for guiding colleges in the assessment of student learning outcomes
• A blueprint and mock-up of a data collection and display tool
• Market research which resulted in a strategic plan for community colleges and state systems to participate in VFA

For a complete account of the VFA background, development of metrics, and outcomes to date see:

•  The VFA: Developing Measures of Community College Effectiveness and Outcomes

For detailed definitions of the VFA measures and instructions to calculate the VFA cohort and metrics see:

•  VFA Metrics Manual

Building the VFA Data Tool and National Roll-out (in progress):

AACC has made the VFA metrics available to all colleges and will provide an online data display tool in 2013.