First, the good news: due to increased attention from accreditors, the federal and state governments, and the public, it is difficult to find a college or university that does not have at least a nascent institutional process for--if not culture of--assessing student learning. There is also bad news: the existence of an assessment office or…

This paper presents the benefits and costs of providing students with unlimited access to programmable boards in digital design education, allowing hands-on experiences outside traditional laboratory settings. Studies were conducted at three universities in two different countries--Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN; Washington…

Developmental education, also termed remedial education, refers to curricula intended to improve the academic skills and knowledge of students who are underprepared for undergraduate coursework, particularly in the areas of mathematics, reading, and writing. Many practitioners and researchers agree that developmental education should be improved,…

Learning communities bring together small groups of college students who take two or more linked courses together--typically as a cohort. During the last few decades, many colleges and universities have started or expanded learning communities as a method to deliver curricula to students and forge closer bonds between students, among students and…

This staff report on unserved students (students who commit to attend but do not enroll at a college or university) focuses on whether adequate financial resources could be a reason for their non-attendance. Applicants were categorized by need and by the date of their application for financial aid; and further classified as potential students of…

This report presents findings of a study of the off-campus employment status of undergraduate college students attending all of the public and most of the private institutions of higher education in Washington State during the winters of 1997 and 1998. Specifically the study examined: (1) characteristics of working students; (2) work patterns…

Changes in tuition and fee levels at public institutions from academic year 1981-82 to 1982-83 are reviewed, with specific state-by-state, institution-by-institution data provided for the three previous years. The states included are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and…

Student financial aid is the primary means by which the federal government encourages broad access to higher education and promotes an educated citizenry, and it is a major component of Washington State's efforts to ensure necessary educational opportunities for its residents. This report provides an overview of both federal and Washington State…