Reflects on the declining quality of higher education today, the increasing inability of higher education to meet student needs, and the ways in which demographic influences will affect higher education in the next 16 years. Offers seven suggestions for leaders of higher education in dealing with these concerns. (IW)

A description of the State of Arizona and its educational system is presented as a working paper in a final report by the Arizona Board of Regents' Task Force on Excellence, Efficiency and Competitiveness. Facts about the state include the following: indications are that the present growth in Arizona will continue for at least a decade more;…

American colleges need to begin preparing now for the very different student population of 2000, whose composition will have far more minority group members than today's, by increasing the minority group leadership in administration and governance. (MSE)

Many changes in college enrollment patterns have occurred since 1982. Three variables that affect enrollment include: differential fertility among population groups, a state's ability to retain students to high school graduation, and the number of a state's high school graduates who leave the state for college. (MLW)

Major demographic trends and consequences for higher education are examined. The Baby Boom sharply increased birth rates from 1946 to 1964 and was followed by a decline in births that lasted from 1964 to 1978. Currently there is an increased birth rate, but of much smaller size than the Baby Boom rates, due largely to the smaller size of the…

A profile of Virginia is presented, which assesses trends in the state's economy, population, and educational system. The state is characterized by a diverse economy, a well-educated suburban middle-class majority, a high level of individual and state wealth, and a high level of work force participation. Problems include rural poverty, lack of…

Excerpts from a recent research report outline patterns of demographic and social change affecting higher education enrollment, staffing, and planning patterns in the near future. Among the findings are that: fewer students will have college preparation; industry, government, and other agencies are now and will be educating more adults than will…

A profile of Colorado is provided, which examines trends in the state's economy, environment, population, crime, and education. The state is characterized by a lack of economic diversity, ecological vulnerability, and concentrated population. Although the work force is generally well educated, Hispanic Americans tend to be less successful in…

Demographic changes, especially changes in the birth cohort, will have a major impact on college enrollments. The passing of the Baby Boom generation may cause the closure of many colleges in the 1980's. The post-Baby Boom decline in births was almost completely a Caucasian phenomenon; the percentage of minorities is increasing dramatically,…

Demographic forces will change U.S. higher education. Leaders of higher education need to gain more direct experience with the national diversity in age, in ethnicity, and in regions. Suggestions for dealing with the inevitable changes ahead are provided. (MLW)

Information concerning characteristics of California and its educational system are presented, with attention to population trends, the proportion of ethnic residents, the age distribution, median family income, the economy, school enrollments and completion rates, and college attendance and graduation. Notable findings/conclusions include: 15% of…

This report is a demographic study of the United States education system from kindergarten through post-graduate education. Part 1 provides a briefing on the major demographic trends that form the framework of the analysis in terms of: (1) number of births in different groups; (2) rate of age increase in various groups due to varying birth rates;…

Major demographic trends affecting the size and composition of the college population, and consequences for higher education are examined. Trends and implications include the following: the under-20 group will fall below 30 percent during the decade; total births and birth rates are up in the Sun Belt and holding even or declining in most of the…