Reusable Materials 35: Questions About Quantifying Value Statements

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

Ricardo sought financial aid to attend a community college. He came to the United States with his parents when he was two years old. They did not possess legal visas or passports when they crossed the border. Ricardo attended elementary, junior high, and high schools in the United States. He also took concurrent enrollment classes while in high school. A year before he graduated, the state legislature passed a bill denying undocumented students who graduated from state schools resident tuition. The bill forced students like Ricardo to pay international student tuition. Ricardo’s tuition costs jumped $18,000 for the community college.

Q: How can I identify numbers for my value statements?

A: Each type of theme will require a different type of number. Some of the number may be in public records. Others will not. For example, each of the following themes would be represented by the following numbers:

• Academics: grade point averages, hours credit, test scores, and more
• Athletics: win/loss records, competitive standings, championships, or improved performance
• Leadership: increased participation averages, number of participants, increased donations or revenues, or size of the organization you led
• Creative talents: number of recitals or attendees at performances, awards received for creative talents, or scores in competitions

You can translate implied numbers into specific numbers using some of the following formulas:

• Identify the beginning statistic, identify the ending statistic, then…
  • Divide the difference by the beginning number for a percentage
    • 120 participants –100 participants =20/100=20% increase in participation
  • Use the difference to show the actual increase
    • $130,000-$90,000=$40,000 increase

Q: What if my numbers are not completely accurate?

Creating your value statements as you do them allows you to use real-time data. However, you may not have created the statements when the information was current. In that case, modify your numbers with the words: approximately, estimated, or about. They will allow you to state the approximation.

We restate—NEVER EXAGERRATE, LIE ABOUT, or MISLEAD people about your numbers in value statements.

 

Saturday we share a caution about challenges in funding today’s educational pursuits

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