The "Measuring College and Career Readiness" report for each state represents a snapshot of the ACT-tested graduates in the class of 2009 and focuses on their readiness for college and careers. Designed to inform policymakers and practitioners about selected indicators of effectiveness, the report is not intended to be comprehensive but…

A disparity in high school coursework currently exists between college preparation requirements and state board/school district graduation requirements in Minnesota. Because graduation requirements are general, the extensiveness and quality of curriculum requirements can vary greatly by school district and building. This information brief compares…

This report examines state-sponsored early intervention programs whose aims are to assist educationally and economically disadvantaged students to plan for postsecondary education. It highlighs common policy mechanisms and discusses practices that have become established over time. It highlights 17 programs in 12 states that are leaders in early…

Describes Minnesota's responses to the challenges of secondary student achievement and transition to college or employment: "fast-track" planning, tech prep, postsecondary enrollment options, early assessment for developmental education, alignment of graduation standards and college preparation, achievement documentation, and charter…

In the first decade of the 21st century, the nation, the states, and colleges and universities began to grapple with the challenges of globalization, changing demography, the implications of the digital era, and of a less expansive public sector. Although not a transformative period for higher education, the decade saw significant innovations in…

The purpose of a state report card is to provide the general public and policymakers with information to assess and improve post secondary education in each state. "Measuring Up 2008" is the fifth in a series of biennial report cards that evaluates states in six overall performance categories: (1) Preparation for post-secondary education…

This report provides information about the performance of 2009 graduating seniors who took the ACT as sophomores, juniors, or seniors; and self-reported at the time of testing that they were scheduled to graduate in 2009 and tested under standard time conditions. This report focuses on: (1) Performance: student test performance in the context of…

Recommendations concerning the reading, writing, and mathematics skills that are needed by students entering degree programs in Minnesota postsecondary institutions are offered by a Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board task force. In addition to describing reading skills that students need for most college degree programs, conditions…

MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY WERE (1) TO COMPARE ENTERING FRESHMAN STUDENTS AT DIFFERENT TYPES OF COLLEGES (THAT IS, UNIVERSITIES, LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES, STATE COLLEGES, TEACHERS COLLEGES, AND JUNIOR COLLEGES) ON ABILITY, HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT, CULTURAL STATUS, ECONOMIC STATUS, AND PERSONALITY FACTORS, (2) TO COMPARE, BY TYPE OF COLLEGE…

This report provides an in-depth look at five different programs, all of which currently, or are making efforts to, include a broad range of students. The five Credit-Based Transition Programs (CBTPs) studied are located in five states--California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York and Texas--and included two dual enrollment programs (one with a career…

For most of Minnesota's 150 years of statehood, its distinctive economic advantages were largely a function of its natural resources, such as timber, taconite and tourism. Today, while these and other resources remain cornerstones of the state economy, it is clear that the intellectual capacity of Minnesota's people is emerging as a promising…

State governors' comments about higher education in their state of the state addresses include the effects of recent reforms, in-state retention of students, education and industry's needs, high college costs, academic preparation for college, faculty dissatisfaction, statewide cohesiveness, efficiency, economic development, and governance reform.…

At a two-week precollege program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Minnesota, at-risk American Indian students, adult students, and staff address preparatory skills for life after high school. Students explore their individual learning styles, personal career interests, self-advocacy, problem solving, study strategies, cultural…

A study examined the transition from secondary to post-secondary education and the opportunities for academic preparation and planning available to Minnesota secondary students. Data concerning post-secondary enrollment patterns, curriculum, planning, and remedial and developmental studies were gathered from a number of sources. Extensive results…

This final report describes activities and achievements of the EASE (Equal Access for Students to Education and Experience) Project, a 3-year model demonstration project on transition of students with disabilities at seven community colleges in the Arrowhead region of Minnesota. The program served 550-600 students and focused on providing support…