This page outlines the data elements and sources of the variables in the myFutureNC Attainment Dashboard. This dashboard was produced by Carolina Demography for myFutureNC.
The dashboard shows North Carolina’s progress toward the state’s overall 2030 goal of 2 million adults ages 25-44 with a postsecondary degree or credential, as well as 18 educational performance indicators. These indicators span the education continuum, capturing key transition points for students from NC Pre-K through college completion and into the labor market.
Researchers from Carolina Demography, located within the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, identified the best source of data for each indicator by consulting with experts from the UNC System, the NC Community College System, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, the NC Department of Public Instruction, the NC Department of Commerce, and the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Carolina Demography will provide updated data for each indicator as it becomes available. In most cases, new data will be available annually; the timing of the update differs depending on the indicator.
The dashboard homepage shows the overall attainment goal as well as indicators at key transition points along the continuum:
Detailed information about the 18 educational performance indicators is available on the Educational Performance Indicators page.
Clicking on ‘explore indicator details’ for the indicator of interest will provide a definition of the indicator, an explanation of the data, and information on why this indicator is important.
Demographic trend information, methodology, and additional resources are provided for each indicator.
Questions about this data should be directed to Carolina Demography at demography@unc.edu
Percent of North Carolina 25-44-year-olds with a postsecondary degree or high-quality credential.
Data on the share of adults with an associate degree or higher is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey microdata accessed at IPUMS-USA. The statewide estimate also includes the share of adults with a high-quality nondegree credential from A Stronger Nation (Lumina Foundation).
The percentage of eligible North Carolina four-year-olds enrolled in North Carolina’s public pre-kindergarten program (the NC Pre-K Program).
NC Pre-K enrollments were provided by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (NC DCDEE) at the Department of Health and Human Services. Carolina Demography estimated the number of eligible four-year-olds using population estimates from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management and poverty status for the child population was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 5-Year American Community Survey (Table B17024: Age by Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months).
Percent of North Carolina students in grades 3-8 who earned a college-and-career-ready score on the End-of-Grade Reading exam.
Data for student performance is from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The share of North Carolina 4th graders scoring “at or above proficient” on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Fourth grade reading assessment scores for all states were obtained from the NAEP Data Explorer.
Percent of North Carolina students in grades 3-8 who earned a college-and-career-ready score on the End-of-Grade Math exam.
Data for student performance is from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The share of North Carolina 8th graders scoring “at or above proficient” on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics Assessment.
Eighth grade math assessment scores for all states were obtained from the NAEP Data Explorer.
The percentage of public K-12 students who missed 10 percent or more of days in a school year.
The data on chronic absenteeism comes from the 2015-16 Civil Rights Data Collection by the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.
The percent of public high school students who graduated in 4 years or less.
High school graduation rates for all states were obtained from the Common Core of Data maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics. Detailed North Carolina data was downloaded from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Percent of North Carolina 11th grade students earning an ACT Composite score of 19 or above (the UNC minimum admission requirement).
Data for student performance is from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Percent of North Carolina high school seniors completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
FAFSA completion rates for all states were obtained from the National College Access Network.
Percent of 18-24-year-olds enrolled in a postsecondary institution (college or graduate school).
The data on postsecondary enrollment comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) microdata accessed at IPUMS-USA. Data for all counties is available in the 5-Year ACS in Table B14004: Sex by College or Graduate School Enrollment by Type of School by Age for the Population 15 Years and Over.
Percent of first-year students beginning postsecondary at a North Carolina institution who are still enrolled in any postsecondary program one year later.
The data for first-year persistence by state was downloaded from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Percent of students beginning postsecondary at a North Carolina institution who complete a degree or credential within 6 years.
Carolina Demography calculations based on data downloaded from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Percent of students beginning postsecondary at a University of North Carolina system school (4-year public institution) who complete a degree or credential from any institution within 6 years.
The data for completion rates by state was downloaded from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Percent of students beginning postsecondary at a North Carolina 4-year non-profit, private institution who complete a degree or credential from any institution within 6 years.
The data for completion rates by state was downloaded from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Percent of students beginning postsecondary at a North Carolina community college (2-year public institution) who complete a degree or credential from any institution within 6 years.
The data for completion rates by state was downloaded from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Alignment between the skills of graduates and the needs of employers.
Data on labor market alignment was provided by the Labor and Economic Analysis Division at North Carolina’s Department of Commerce.
Percentage of North Carolina 16-24-year-olds neither in school or working (full or part time). This figure includes incarcerated youth who are not enrolled in school.
Data on opportunity youth are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) microdata accessed at IPUMS-USA. Data for all counties is available in the 5-Year ACS in Table B14005: Sex by School Enrollment by Educational Attainment by Employment Status for the Population 16 to 24 Years.
Percent of North Carolina 25-44 year-olds in the labor force.
Data on labor force participation are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) microdata accessed at IPUMS-USA. Data for all counties is available in the 5-Year ACS in Table B23001: Sex by Age by Employment Status for the Population 16 Years and Over.
Percent of North Carolina 35-44-year-olds earning a living wage. A living wage is defined here as earning a family income equivalent to 300% or more of the federal poverty line.
Detailed data on family income is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) microdata accessed at IPUMS-USA. Data for all counties is available in the 5-Year ACS in Table B17024: Age by Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months.
