Rep. Kennedy, and Rep. Hayes Introduce Bill to Improve College Graduation Rate Transparency

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Time for Completion Act, legislation to ensure community colleges more accurately report graduation rates and provide increased transparency for students when selecting an academic institution. Under current law, community colleges and other higher education institutions are only required to report graduation rates for first-time, full-time students. Non-traditional students are often omitted in reporting, leading to critical data gaps.

According to the Community College Research Center, community colleges serve about 8.6 million students per year – or about 40% of all undergraduates. Current law excludes these students from reporting on graduation rates. The Time for Completion Act expands existing reporting requirements to ensure schools provide data on all student populations, including part-time and returning, students with disabilities, and others who are earning a full-time degree or certificate at community colleges. By including all students, community college reporting will more accurately reflect student success and allow students to better evaluate institutions of higher education.

“Students deserve the full picture when making a decision as important as choosing a college,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “Right now, official graduation rates leave out a large portion of community college students. The Time for Completion Act will ensure schools provide data on all student populations. Counting everyone’s success is a common-sense fix that helps students make more informed decisions, find their ideal institution, and have the best chance at success.” 

“Selecting a college is one of the most consequential decisions a student can make. This decision should be guided by accurate and transparent information,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. “Current data does not fully capture the range of student experiences and outcomes at community colleges, limiting the quality of information available to prospective students. The Time for Completion Act helps ensure students have a complete and more reliable picture of community college success so they can choose the institution that is right for them.”

“Now more than ever, students, parents, and policymakers need accurate, comprehensive data on college completion rates,” said Salt Lake Community College President President, Dr. Greg Peterson. “For too long, the success of community college students — in completing their studies and earning credentials, certificates, and degrees — has gone underreported. I commend Congressman Kennedy and Congresswoman Hayes for sponsoring the Time for Completion Act, which will bring greater transparency to graduation-rate reporting and ensure it truly reflects the achievements of community colleges and their students.”

“Utah’s community colleges play a crucial role in providing accessible, workforce-aligned education opportunities to all, especially for Utahns balancing college with work, parenting, and other responsibilities,” said Geoffrey Landward, Utah Commissioner of Higher Education. “Expanding the reporting timeline for completion data helps paint a clearer picture of the positive impact these institutions have on their communities and Utah’s broader economy and workforce.”

“The American Association of Community Colleges enthusiastically supports the Time for Completion Act,” said American Association of Community Colleges President and CEO, Dr. Derionne Pollard. “By providing a more accurate picture of community college student achievement, it allows metrics to better capture the progress that 10.5 million community college students in this country make every year. Not everyone follows the traditional four-year route to earning a college degree. Many do so while working, raising a family, or returning for a second career and their successes deserve to be recognized too.” 

The Time for Completion Act has been endorsed by American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Utah Systems of Higher Education (USHE), Salt Lake Community College (SLCC),.

Full text of the Time for Completion Act is available here.