This issue of "Assessment Update" presents the following articles: (1) James Madison University: Reflections on Sustained Excellence in Assessment (Keston H. Fulcher and Elizabeth R. H. Sanchez); (2) Editor's Notes: Assessment Excellence Abounds! (Stephen P. Hundley); (3) The Promise of an All-in-One Assessment System for Student…

The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and The Presidents' Forum have released a new study authored and researched by the Online Learning Consortium's Dr. Jill Buban, which sheds light on how adult learning institutions address students who possess alternative credentials and seek to apply these experiences to a degree. This…

The lingering economic downturn has affected virtually every American institution--perhaps none more significantly than the nation's higher education system. These days, facing significant revenue shortfalls that are widely recognized as the "new normal," state-supported colleges and universities are looking, sometimes desperately, for…

The chapters presented in this report take stock of much of what has been tried and learned about state policy leadership in bridging the divide between K-12 schools and postsecondary education. They bring together the work and perspectives of the authors and of several sponsoring and collaborating organizations, including: Editorial Projects in…

Recent state appropriations for higher education in Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont are tabulated. Governors in all those states signed spending bills for higher education. (MLW)

In response to the increasing amount of time it takes many students to complete a bachelor's degree, Arizona's Board of Regents has lowered the number of credits required to graduate from the three state universities. Critics are concerned about educational quality and the role of the Arizona Board of Regents in academic matters. (MSE)

Following an introductory discussion of tuition reciprocity agreements in the western states and the four types of state authorization of tuition reciprocity, the authorizations of individual states are provided. Five states have authorizations in general terms, and six have authorizations with specific requirements. The tuition reciprocity…

"Sunshine laws," which stipulate when records and meetings of state agencies must be made public, have prompted legal battles as newspapers and public-interest groups demand access to the records of public colleges. Intensifying debates in Arizona and South Carolina are described. (MLW)

Results of a spring 1983 survey of the sources and amounts of income, the expenditures, and the background characteristics of Arizona postsecondary students are presented. Survey questionnaires were sent to 4,821 randomly selected students at 36 schools, and 1,694 usable responses were obtained. The responses were cross-analyzed by four…

As part of the final report by the Arizona Board of Regents' Task Force on Excellence, Efficiency and Competitiveness, information on statewide activities on assessment and outcomes measurement is presented. The information comes from a 1986 survey by the Educational Commission of the States, American Association for Higher Education, and State…

In January 1994, the Arizona State Board of Directors for Community Colleges (ASBDCC) conducted a survey of state four-year systems nationwide to determine the existence of standards regarding the transferability of associate degrees and associate degree students' academic standing at receiving four-year institutions. Questionnaires were mailed to…

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…

An exploratory survey yielded basic information about extended degree programs in the 13 WICHE states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and Utah. Survey questionnaires were sent to the 441 colleges and universities (including two-year colleges) on the WICHE mailing…

Implications of the demographic transformation of Arizona for the future of higher education in the state are examined. Since the changing size and character of the minority population figure prominently on the demographic changes, the major focus will be on changes in the minority population and the effect on future minority participation in…

An analysis of the performance of minority students in Arizona (Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian) is presented as one working paper in the final report by the Arizona Board of Regents' Task Force on Excellence, Efficiency and Competitiveness. Data are included for the White majority for comparison purposes. School districts are grouped…