Reports & Tools

The State of Higher Education in 2019 (Angela Henderson)

This report from Grant Thornton provides insights, examples, and action steps to encourage innovative thinking in higher education institutions. Specific topics include national universities, data analytics, mental health challenges, outcomes, and compliance.

On-ramps to Good Jobs: Fueling Innovation for the Learning Ecosystem of the Future (Angela Henderson)

This report from the Strada Institute for the Future of Work examines the need for and scarcity of programs and resources designed to aid working class individuals in attaining job skills. The report focuses on on-ramp programs, designed to aid learners with significant barriers to educational and economic success.

Modernizing College Course Placement by Using Multiple Measures (Casey Kerins)

A new report from the Education Commission of the state and the Center for Postsecondary Readiness assessed the use of Multiple Measures as a more accurate way of placing students in remedial or college-level coursework. While many colleges continue to use placement tests to assess college readiness, data show that these tests often fail at accurately placing students. This report looks at the use of multiple measures at community colleges and other open-access institutions, showing that the use of alternative placement assessments has increased dramatically in the past five years.

Yearly Success & Progress Rates - 2019 (Casey Kerins)

This report from the National Student Clearinghouse tracks the Fall 2012 cohort over time, showing additional measures of postsecondary attainment. In addition to a PDF report, there is also access to a state-level dashboard.

Emerging Trends

Community Colleges and the Future of Higher Education (Angela Henderson)

The article from Steven Mintz, Inside Higher Ed, builds upon Terry U. O’Banion’s book 13 Ideas that Are Transforming the Community College World to explore opportunities and innovations to improve outcomes at community colleges.

Key Issues Facing Higher Education Philanthropy (Angela Henderson)

ACE and the TIAA Institute examine shifts in philanthropy and the resulting implications for institutions of higher education. Patterns and demographics of philanthropy are explored, as well as the impacts of economic changes, demographic shifts, and technological innovations.

New Push for Test Optional (Casey Kerins)

Bucknell University is the latest to announce that admissions will no longer require submission of SAT or ACT scores. More and more colleges are shifting policy to allow students to apply without submitting standardized test scores. While this is more popular for colleges that do not have competitive admissions, Bucknell’s announcement (And Chicago University’s from last year) proves that colleges are taking “test-optional’ more seriously, citing goals towards more equitable and diverse admissions.

Food, Child Care, Rent: This College Goes the Extra Mile to Serve Low-income Students (Casey Kerins)

Armarillo College’s No Excuses Poverty Initiative is an intensive program to help low-income students stay on-track and towards successful completion. Early data show that the initiative has improved completion rates and achievement gaps. This article looks at Armarillo’s initiative and the support from the local community to address non-academic barriers to retention and graduation.

Policy Watch

White House Releases Proposals to Reform the Higher Education Act (Angela Henderson)

CHEA presents the proposed changes for the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), noting that the proposal calls for the changes in accreditation processes including a narrower focus on student outcomes and educational quality. A link to the official Proposals to the Reform the Higher Education Act is also provided.

Consensus or Chaos? Education Dept.’s Rule-Making Session Reaches Agreement (Casey Kerins)

After a number of negotiated rule-making sessions, the Department of Education has reached consensus on a number of recommendations related to accreditation, new academic programs, and a variety of other topics. However, there is still uncertainty as to exactly what regulations will go into effect, and whether or not Congress will reauthorize the Higher Education Act. The deadline for the department is November 1^st.

NCES Updates

Federal Registry Notice for Comment Request; 2019–20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS: 20) Institution Collection

The notice for a proposed revision of an existing information collection is now available. If you would like to submit comments, you can do so electronically on or before June 10, 2019 through the Federal eRulemaking Portal by selecting the Docket ID number ED–2019–ICCD–0049 or via postal mail.  You will need to include the docket ID number and the title of the information collection request when submitting comments.  For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Kashka Kubzdela, 202-245-7377 or email NCES.Information.Collections@ed.gov. Please pass this information along to your colleagues.

Data Point: Relationship Between Educational Attainment and Labor Underutilization

This NCES Data Point uses data from the Adult Training and Education Survey (ATES), administered as part of the 2016 National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES:2016), to examine the relationship between educational attainment and various measures of labor underutilization.

OMB Seeks Comment on IPEDS Changes for 2019-20 Through 2021-22  

The 60-day public comment period for changes to the IPEDS Collection years 2019-20 through 2021-22 is now open. Details on the proposed changes can be found in the Supporting Documents posted on the regulations.gov website. Comments should be submitted through the regulations.gov site linked above and are due by May 20, 2019.