2016 College Affordability Diagnosis: National Report

College Affordability Diagnosis is the most comprehensive state-by-state study of college affordability since 2008, when the last Measuring Up report was completed by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education

Cracks in the Education Pipeline: A Business Leader's Guide to Higher Education Reform

This report builds on the findings of Measuring Up 2004: The National Report Card on Higher Education, published by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. Cracks in the Education Pipeline presents a forceful argument for a renewed commitment to higher education. The report discusses trends in college preparation, participation, completion, affordability, and benefits, and provides action steps that business leaders can take to help launch change in their own states and at the national level.The new report arrives at a critical time, as economic and demographic changes exert new pressures on today's workforce. New job growth favors high-skill workers, and the impending retirement of the baby boom generation will lead to a workforce that comes increasingly from populations that have traditionally been less likely to attend college

Financial Prospects for American Higher Education in the First Decade of the Twenty-First Century

[Excerpt] In an important paper written for the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, Harold Hovey pointed out that even if economic growth continued, the outlook for state funding of public higher education might not be as rosy as it had been in the recent past. My objective in this paper is to speculate about the financial futures of both public and private higher education, using Hovey’s paper as a base. After outlining his argument about the hard times ahead for public higher education, I will discuss the responses that campus and system administrators may well undertake. I will then turn to the financial pressure that private higher education institutions will face and the likely responses of these institutions. As will come as no surprise to most readers, I conclude that ten years from now the privates will look more like the publics and the publics will look more like the privates

A Study of the Value of Measuring Up as a Tool for State Policymakers in Developing Postsecondary Education Policy for Three Eastern States

This qualitative research study determined the effectiveness of Measuring Up, the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education\u27s national state based higher education report card, as a tool for state leaders in developing postsecondary educational policy. The researcher interviewed state postsecondary leaders in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, including state government leaders and administrative officials. Interviews were conducted with nine participants.The participants in this study collectively identified the most pressing issues impacting higher education access. Affordability was identified as the predominant factor impacting access to postsecondary education; the preparation of secondary students was also identified as an issue of concern for policymakers and leaders. In addition, the participants cited policies and initiatives undertaken to address these as well as other areas of concern.Measuring Up was identified as helpful as a data resource in developing policy; however, participants expressed concerns over the methodology used in report development. The methodology used in developing affordability measures was of particular concern and interviewees felt the metrics did not accurately reflect state attempts to address the issue.Recommendations include implications for the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education (NCPPHE) and state governing/coordinating bodies. The NCPPHE should conduct conversations with state higher education leaders or representatives prior to the issuance of subsequent reports to enhance effectiveness and utilization by policymakers. State coordinating bodies need to be assertive in addressing the interests of its student constituents and aggressive in developing state data through assessments and research

Background Report on College Affordability in Maine

The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education gave Maine an “F” grade for affordability of higher education in both Measuring Up 2000 and Measuring Up 2002. In the 2000 report, Maine’s affordability score (54 on a 100-point scale) was 3rd worst in the nation (ahead of RI and NH). In the 2002 report, Maine’s affordability score (56) was in a three-way tie (with NY and VT) for 7th worst in the country (ahead of NH, RI, MT, OR, DE, OH). Although there are legitimate criticisms of the methodology for constructing these scores, it seems pretty clear that college affordability is an important barrier to attainment of higher education in Maine. This report is an introduction to current issues on college affordability in Maine. It is meant to serve as a starting point for discussion. The goal of this report is to present the dimensions of the problem as best as possible while avoiding the temptation to evaluate the facts

The Importance of Freshman Experiences in Predicting Students’ Retention Decisions

Undergraduate retention is a growing problem; approximately 50% of students who matriculate at American institutions fail to graduate within seven years (National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, 2002). This study assessed the utility of the College Persistence Questionnaire Version 2 (CPQ-V2) to predict whether freshmen returned for the sophomore year. Between 6 to 8 weeks into their first semester, participants (n = 701) from Angelo State University (n = 166), Appalachian State University (n = 333), and Tusculum College (n = 202) responded online to the questionnaire. A series of binary logistic regressions was performed, each predicting retention. Results indicated that variables typically found in the student database (e.g., high school rank) are of limited value in identifying at-risk students at this point in the process, and that prediction is only moderately increased by adding background variables (e.g., reasons for attending) that are not typically collected by universities. On the other hand, the ten Student Experience Scales of the CPQ-V2 produced a substantial increment in the explained variance. These findings demonstrate the validity of the CPQ V2 as a predictor of undergraduate retention and the importance of students’ experiences with the academic and social environments in determining persistence decisions

Governing Change? Considerations for Education Policymakers

In the policy brief, Governing Change? Considerations for Education Policymakers, the Rennie Center examines models of education governance in other states and draws out lessons to help inform policy discussions in Massachusetts.In 2007, the commonwealth had three divisions within the public education sector: the Department of Early Education and Care, the Department of Education, and the Board of Higher Education. The rationale for better integrating these divisions is that if public education is to be a seamless process that starts in pre-school and terminates at the post-secondary level, then the system might be more efficiently and effectively governed by a single, unified structure. While there is growing interest in creating an integrated governance structure, there is also concern. However appealing the benefits seem, the challenges, substantive and political, of dismantling the current bureaucracy and assembling a new system are significant.The report presents case studies of four states that have engaged in the process of designing education governance systems that stretch from pre-school through graduate school and draws implications for consideration by Massachusetts policymakers.Considerations for PolicymakersAs policymakers contemplate changing the way education is governed in Massachusetts, this policy brief presents the following questions:What does the commonwealth hope to accomplish by changing to a P-20 governance structure?Who will be responsible for what? What will collaboration look like? How will the governance structure support collaboration and coordination between sectors?How will the commonwealth determine whether its new governance system has led to improvements in the quality of education in the early childhood, K-12 and postsecondary sectors?When addressing these questions, this brief focuses on four areas of education policy that would require reform: (1) alignment of standards, curriculum and assessment; (2) data systems; (3) finance; and (4) accountability. Using these four policy areas as illustrations, we examine the potential of an integrated system and what ideal practices might look like in each area.The policy brief was the subject of discussion at a public event on Friday, April 27, 2007 at the Omni Parker House Hotel

Paying for College: Availability of Need-Based Financial Aid for New Jersey's Working Adults

Examines barriers to low-income working adult students' access to Education Opportunity Fund and Tuition Aid Grants; challenges such as childcare needs; and lack of data for tracking the state's progress in making college affordable. Recommends reforms

Measuring Up 2006: The National Report Card on Higher Education

Measures the performance of the U.S. and of each state in providing education and training beyond high school. Compares national and state higher education performance with other nations

Deregulation and Higher Education: Potential Impact on Access, Affordability and Achievement in Ohio

This paper refocuses attention on the importance of supporting Ohio students. States may appreciate deregulated higher education because, like other forms of privatization, it reduces support, responsibility and oversight. University administrations may see opportunities to raise revenues through real estate deals, parking arrangements, subcontracting, reducing staff compensation, and changing other employment relationships. Private contractors and the business community may favor these arrangements because there are lucrative possibilities for contracts, real estate deals and other arrangements. But the point of the system is not to serve the needs of legislators, administrators or contractors -- it is to educate students. Students, families, employers and taxpayers need a vibrant higher education system capable of delivering affordable academic programs that connect to the 21st century economy