State public policy has been an important tool for improving the educational preparation and opportunity for many communities. However, without concerted statewide efforts it will continue to be difficult to substantially expand opportunities to accelerate higher education attainment and workforce preparation. Over the next 15 years, the states…

Presented in this paper are the top 10 issues most likely to affect public higher education across the 50 states in 2009, in the view of the state policy analysis and research staff at American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). While numerous topics shape state higher education policy, each affecting the issues of…

This item summarizes the Commission's examination of performance measures over the past 18 months. Sustained focus for the period was on four areas of performance: (1) Preparation for college entry and success; (2) Affordability and accessibility; (3) Student success; and (4) Contributions to California's economic, civic, and social development.…

Research suggests that low-income high school students may opt out of preparing for college, because they believe a postsecondary education is more than they or their parents can afford. At the same time, federal agencies and some state agencies have indicated that every year available student aid goes unused. In response to these misconceptions…

Reviews 1993 collection of presentations given at 1992 symposium sponsored by Institute for Higher Education and Governance and University of Houston Law Center, edited by Michael Olivas. Offers description of text via quoted excerpts. Suggests book is crucial reading for school counselors and those involved in financial and enrollment planning.…

This paper presents questions and answers regarding college access and success. These questions include: (1) What is the "achievement gap" and how serious is it?; (2) Is college the best option for all students? If not, why prepare all youth for college?; (3) Can we afford to send everyone to college?; (4) What prevents students from going to…

When the Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education (subsequently referred to as the commission) convened in fall 2008, the educational landscape was facing a number of issues that the commission's members recognized as formidable challenges to those students who aspire to enroll and succeed in college. Summarizing the…

Attaining a post-secondary credential has become increasingly important for securing opportunities to get high-return jobs in the United States in the 21st century. Students from low-income families are underrepresented at every milestone in the educational pipeline, limiting their ability to attain post-secondary credentials and break the…

This guide is designed to help parents prepare their children for higher education, a career, and life. The first section, "Why Get Ready?" discusses the benefits of higher education and dispels some common myths about higher education and its costs. Other sections of this first part discuss how to ready a child for college at home and at school.…

Various recent trends within Illinois higher education have raised concerns that the goals of "The Illinois Commitment," the state's higher education plan, may be at risk. In response to these concerns, a Committee on Affordability was established in August 2002 to conduct a comprehensive and objective analysis of these trends to assess…

This report summarizes results from Austin Independent School District 12th graders in the Class of 2008 who responded to the high school student exit survey in Spring 2008.

Student success in college has never been more important. The economic advantage to baccalaureate degree holders remains substantial, with college graduates averaging a million dollars more in lifetime earnings than high school graduates. There is also the long list of non-pecuniary benefits of college--intellectual development and critical…

This report presents information about the state of higher education in Illinois. Higher education entered the year 2000 with a full agenda and ended it as the top-rated system of higher education in a new national report card, "Measuring Up 2000" (National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education). Illinois received "A's in…

This report presents information about the state of higher education in Illinois. In November 2000, the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education issued the first National Report Card that gave Illinois an overall grade-point-average of 88.8, the best in the United States. Nevertheless, the state could not rest on its laurels, and…

This publication was created to help eighth-grade students make a successful transition to high school and begin looking at college and career options. Topics covered in the booklet include: (1) Making the transition to high school; (2) Meeting state academic standards; (3) Taking the courses needed to complete high school and to meet college…