Thousands of students complete their educational programs at British Columbia's public post-secondary institutions each year. Many of these post-secondary institutions, along with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development , recognize that student feedback is important to maintaining a high-quality, relevant education system. A number of annual surveys are used to collect information from BC students 9 to 20 months after they complete all, or a significant portion of their programs. Former students are asked about their current employment, if they've taken any further education since leaving, and if they were satisfied with the education they received. The Outcomes Working Group (OWG) oversees all aspects of the surveys from data collection to reporting of survey results.

Surveys administered every year include:

•  The Diploma, Associate Degree, and Certificate Student Outcomes (DACSO) Survey (formerly the BC College and Institute Student Outcomes (CISO) Survey) is for former students who were enrolled in diploma, associate degree, or certificate programs

•  The Apprenticeship Student Outcomes (APPSO) Survey collects information from former apprenticeship students

•  The Developmental Student Outcomes (DEVSO) Survey is given to former Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) students

Survey results are used:

• By post-secondary institutions, to improve programs and services
• By ALMD, for post-secondary policy development and accountability
• By prospective students, to make informed decisions