Palm Beach State strikes gold in performance

By: Bryanna Basilio

Palm Beach State College (PBSC) has achieved gold level in the Florida College System’s performance-based incentive program, receiving an additional $1.2 million from the state this year. Gold level is the highest category among the Florida College System. Only three colleges in the state of Florida made gold level in the year 2016 – 2017.

In addition to the awarded money, PBSC’s total performance funding has come to $4.1 million this year alone, as compared to the $2.9 million earned last year. It represents the college’s slice of $60 million in state performance funding allocated by the Florida Legislature, which includes $30 million in state performance funding and $30 million in institutional performance funding.

All 28 institutions comprising the Florida College System will receive a share of the institutional performance funding, however, only the schools at the gold and silver levels receive a portion of the remaining $30 million in state performance money. The gold level schools also receive shares of the state funds that would have gone to the bronze and purple schools. The state divides up the funds based on four measurements: retention of students, student completion, job placement and salaries of graduates. The incentive program is relatively new as it became three years ago. Florida Board of Education approved the new performance metrics on Monday.

PBSC, which has been silver for the last two years, is among seven schools that are at the gold level. Fifteen schools are at the silver level and six schools are at bronze level. This year, none of the colleges are in the purple category, which would require a plan for restoration.

Palm Beach State’s achievement follows a “Go Bold for Gold” initiative launched by the administration last year to encourage faculty and staff to help students succeed. Initiatives included enhanced advising and communication, faculty interventions, strategic scholarships, and improved class scheduling.

“I am pleased and very proud of our faculty and staff for working together to improve student outcomes,’’ said Palm Beach State President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “It shows what we can do when we work strategically together. Student success is our top priority.”

Performance based funding is only a fraction of the college’s $129.9 million budget for 2017-2018, and the college has to earn it each year. Richard Becker, vice president of administration and business services, said the funds will allow the college to move forward with other initiatives to increase enrollment and boost student completion rates.

“It’s a little bit easier to get the gold status than to retain it, so we’re going to be really focused on initiatives to help us retain the gold status,’’ Becker said.

Palm Beach State College serves 48,000 students annually, making it the largest institution of higher education in Palm Beach County, providing bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, professional certificates, career training and lifelong learning. Established in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, Palm Beach State offers more than 130 programs of study at locations in Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves.