A college degree is essential in our society, especially for students who historically have been left out of our higher education system. But with the current higher education information systems in place, it's difficult, if not impossible, for students and families to get the data they need to make an informed decision about the best institution…

The trends are clear--a high school education is no longer adequate to prepare young people for the rapidly changing information economy of the 21st century. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2009), approximately 65 percent of the fastest growing jobs today require at least some form of postsecondary education. If the United States is to…

The paper explores the question of why young people go on from school to higher education in Australia, viewing the decision as a function of individual attributes and situational characteristics. A theory to explain young people's decisions is developed, proposing that young people choose to go because they find higher education to be both…

This book is designed to provide the vital advice and information students need for the college application process, in an easy-to-read format. The first four chapters give general information about colleges and admission requirements, with the following titles: "Thinking about College"; "Overview of Colleges"; "What Do Colleges Consider for…

The materials in this College Planning Guide support a 40-50 minute general college planning presentation. It is most effective when delivered to high school juniors (and their parents) in the spring. It can also be used in the fall with seniors or with sophomores and their parents who desire an overview of the college planning process. The…

Asserting that there is so little understanding of what "opportunity" means within the context of access to higher education that use of the word may cloud rather than clarify policy debate, this concept paper served as a resource document to aid participants at a 1999 seminar sponsored by the Council for Opportunity in Education. The paper…

The importance of defining the college experience in specific terms in publications for prospective students is discussed. The academic area is the most vital to describe, since college work differs greatly from high school in the emphases on academic diversity, self-initiative, and study outside the classroom. Publications should describe…

The book provides an examination of research and practice related to enrollment management at institutions of higher education. Part 1 describes enrollment management in the context of strategic planning and presents four organizational approaches. Part 2 focuses on marketing and student recruitment, while Part 3 considers student retention.…

A guide to the development and operation of a college enrollment management system is presented for college administrators. After describing current issues that affect traditional student enrollments, the concept of enrollment management is defined, and its basic elements are introduced, along with broader organizational perspectives such as…

Information on undertaking an external degree program to obtain a college education is presented. An external degree program is one that has no, or minimal requirements for residence (on-campus attendance). Most often it can be entered at any time of the year and usually grants credit for documented learning already acquired. An external degree…

Juxtaposing Chinese and American culture, this paper anticipates problems Chinese students have with their perception of the interpersonal communication course and suggests lesson plans American teachers can utilize. The paper first discusses salient patterns within the American and Chinese educational systems, noting that Chinese students are…

Argues that assessment, outcomes measurement, and prediction of attrition are separate but highly interrelated phenomena, with none meaningfully understood without reference to the other two. Suggests that the assessment process be the initial exercise, followed by periodic outcomes measurement used in conjunction with the assessment data to…

Dual enrollment--the arrangements by which high school students take college courses during the junior and senior year--is a promising "next best thing" for states wishing to increase the number of underrepresented students gaining a postsecondary credential. Dual enrollment also has the potential to save money for families and taxpayers…

Compared three types of orientation programs offered to new students at Salisbury State University (Maryland) traditional, alternative, and outdoor. Findings suggested enrollees in the outdoor program had better adjustment and higher retention rates than enrollees in other programs. The study concluded that interaction/ collaboration among…

A growing number of schools and colleges are making college courses available to high school seniors. This document discusses factors affecting the success of partnerships between schools and colleges for the purpose of providing such courses and describes several programs currently operating. The author first identifies 10 basic principles…