Association for Institutional Research
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#33Title: NCES Seeks Comments on Proposal to Add New Institutional Classification Variable to Peer Analysis System Prepared: January 10, 2006 Action Needed: Comments Requested by January 20, 2006 Summary Concerns have been raised with the existing classification scheme used by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to identify institutions by sector, both in terms of analytical needs of data users and implications for schools when legislation provides for using sector classification as a factor in comparing institutions for college affordability indices, graduation rates, student financial aid, etc. The sector classification scheme is based on the highest degree offered by the institution, and the control of the institution. A Technical Review Panel convened by the NCES agreed that the current sector classification should be retained as a variable in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) for comparability of trend data. However, it also suggested that a new variable to identify an institutional category should be added that would be defined based on degree-granting (or not) status, and by concentration of degrees by level. The NCES is seeking comments on the proposal to add this new variable. Comments or concerns about this proposal should be sent to Sam Barbett at Samuel.Barbett@ed.gov by January 20, 2006. Please include the following in the email subject line: IPEDS New Institutional Category Variable - Proposal Comments. Current Status Currently, the universe of postsecondary education institutions is divided into nine IPEDS sector categories based on level (the highest degree awarded or the length of the longest program) and control (public, private for-profit, or private not-for-profit). The level categories are 4-year and higher (4-year), 2-but-less-than-4-year (2-year), and less-than-2-year. Crossing by control and level results in nine institutional sectors. An additional category is provided for administrative reporting units. The new "Institution Category" variable is available for use in the Peer Analysis System (PAS); it can be found under Frequently used/Derived variables: 2004, Institutions, (under Reports & Stats on the banner menu bar). Click on the "info" button to learn how the variable was derived. The new categorization differs in that it looks at predominance of degrees awarded, not exclusively highest degree awarded. It includes six new categories:
Note: Category 1 includes, for example, schools that offer master's or first-professional degrees (but no bachelor's degrees). Category 3 institutions offer primarily associate's degrees (or certificates) but also have bachelor's degree programs. Implications for Institutions The proposed new institutional category variable may provide for more appropriate classification of institutions. One example would be institutions that add a few higher level programs while primarily offering programs at a lower level. Timeline January 20, 2006 - TDeadline for comments on proposed change to sector classification. Additional Resources Comprehensive information about IPEDS is available at http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds. The NCES notice about the proposed sector classification change is available at: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/trp13.asp. Complete information about IPEDS, including the Peer Analysis System, is available at: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds. Author: Carol Fuller Coordinated by the Higher Education Data Policy Committee. All opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Association for Institutional Research. |