Improving Higher Education of All Students: Lessons from the United States

Nation-states vary tremendously in terms of their historical, demographic, economic, political, and cultural characteristics and contexts. And they differ in terms of their current levels of educational attainment and the characteristics of their educational systems. Despite the differences, higher education policymakers, college and university leaders, and educational researchers in many nations are asking similar questions about higher education. Among the most important questions are: How can a nation increase its overall level of higher education attainment? And, how can a nation close persisting gaps in attainment that persist across demographic groups? I have developed further appreciation for the insights that may be gleaned from comparative research through a multi-year “state review project”. Despite the countless differences, many nations are grappling with the questions: How can a nation increase its overall level of higher education attainment? And, how can a nation close persisting gaps in attainment across demographic groups? This paper seeks to inform understanding of these questions by providing an overview of related data and research on higher education in the United States. This paper suggests the utility of drawing comparisons not just between the United States and other nations, but also between individual U.S. states and other nations

High School Students\u27 Perceptions of Local, National, and Institutional Scholarships

This study uses data from 15 descriptive case studies to explore high school students’ perceptions of scholarships and the forces that contribute to these perceptions. The findings describe six themes that emerged from the data analyses: (a) awareness of scholarships; (b) perceptions of institutional scholarships; (c) motivations for pursuing scholarships; (d) barriers to pursuing scholarships; (e) sources of information about scholarships; and (f) potential strategies for encouraging more students to pursue scholarships. The article concludes by identifying implications for policy, practice, and future research

Guest Editor’s Column: Preparing for Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act

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College Preparation in the Middle Grades: It\u27s More Than SATs

Despite more than 30 years of effort by the federal government to increase college enrollment rates for African Americans, Hispanics, and low-income students, these groups continue to be underrepresented in higher education. Although family income and financial resources continue to influence college enrollment decisions, educators now suggest that the traditional focus on reducing financial barriers for the underrepresented groups has been too narrow