Battle Ground student population is DOWN in 2017 – Headcount or FTE? Measuring the number of students different ways

Ever wonder how your school district measures the student population? Ever heard the terms “headcount” or “fte”?

Well…we recently had an opportunity to investigate the topic as it relates to the Battle Ground School District (BGSD). In this article we’ll explain the differences and in so doing provide specifics for the BGSD.

First, let’s start with some definitions: We borrowed these from a website called – Differencebetween.net

FTE vs Headcount

FTE (meaning full-time equivalent) and headcount are two methods of counting a certain number of members in a population or in an organization. Both measures also account for the measurement of rendered time. In addition, both headcount and FTE measures are used in the fields of education and business.

“Headcount” means “the actual number of the existing population,” whether as students or employees. Usually, a headcount factors just one individual as one member in a given population. Any attributes or distinctions of an individual like his skills, credits, or hours are not considered. Also, the nature or status of the individual is not recognized. Both part-time and full-time individuals are represented and counted.

In an educational setting, FTE is usually used in enrollment of students for a coming term or year. FTE, in this area, is a type of count wherein one student is attending as a full-time student for a full academic year. This means enrollment and attendance for the whole academic year. In reality, the student’s total credit hours are the subject of the measurement. As in workplace FTE, a student must have a specific number of credits to meet the requirements.

Summary:

1. Both headcount and full-time equivalent are types of measurements that are used to count and recognize the population in an environment. Both are utilized in schools and business organizations.
2. Headcount, essentially, is the sum and actual number of individuals in a particular group. There is no distinction between individuals. It is simply counting off one member after another to produce a number. One individual counts as one member.
3. On the other hand, full-time equivalent (or FTE) counts for both members and the time rendered for a particular company (for a worker) or amount of total credits in a particular term or year (for a student). In FTE, there is a specific amount of time or credits to be taken before being acknowledged or given the status of full time. For workers, it necessary to render 40 hours of work time (either by an individual or split into several part-time individuals) while students have to take a specific amount of credit hours for a term or year.

Let’s walk through the BGSD. The entire document can be downloaded by clicking this link:  BGSD_Student_Enrollment_Report_Analysis_Feb132017_v2

The following table compares the headcount (HC) to the full time equivalent (fte) as provided from the school district. Note that when you review the data you will see that the school district HC is DOWN by 114. However, the FTE shows them up 388. Conclusion? Be careful when people tell you the enrollment is up….when it may, like the BGSD, be down. Numbers can be used to create difference impressions.