Education reformers have spent decades doggedly working to improve student outcomes in K-12 education by championing policies spanning federal, state, and local jurisdictions. Higher education is a much different story. Policy ideas at the federal level are plentiful; however, state- or institution-level policies are examined and implemented far…

A long overdue, much needed transformation is underway in the higher education system. It started a decade ago, when federal and state policy­makers first began to collect data on what students earn after pursuing a postsecondary education. But new data are fundamentally differ­ent. Unlike broad-based national statistics, such as how much someone…

This document records testimony from a hearing held to discuss higher education and transparency as Congress is working to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. Member statements were presented by: (1) Honorable Susan A. Rankin, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development; and (2) Honorable Brett Guthrie, Chairman,…

A new approach to researching school effects on higher education participation is proposed here, which combines insights from the school effectiveness field of research with sociological theories and concepts of schooling. In doing so, it draws attention to some of the problems with the dominant approach often taken in this area and attempts to…

In the era of globalization, accountability, and benchmarking, university rankings have achieved a kind of iconic status. The major ones--the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, or the "Shanghai rankings"), the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds Limited) World University Rankings, and the "Times Higher Education" World…

Any reform of federal student aid must address the twin challenges of college affordability and completion, which are inextricably linked. Here, CLASP has proposed ways to redirect existing federal student aid spending toward the low- and modest income families who need it most. These are the students for whom federal aid makes a difference in…

The major higher education trade associations have addressed the calls for transparency and accountability by creating two public online databases into which colleges are able to voluntarily submit information on costs and outcomes. The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) launched its University and College…

The focus of this brief is to reconcile "what we know" with "what we hear" to inform what we can do to address the realities facing Latino students in a manner integrated into the broader policy agenda and discussions in higher education. This brief takes stock of the current higher education environment and integrates the perspectives of elected…

In an attempt to provide more accurate information for student choice among postsecondary institutions, a team of educators "audited" a new information prospectus under preparation at Barat College. The audit procedure, its accomplishments, limitations, and generalizability are discussed. (Author/LBH)

The issues underlying the trend toward educational consumerism are examined along with federal directives initiated to protect students. What they are being protected from is also considered. Whether institutions can effectively respond to public pressure is addressed. (Editor/LBH)

Criticizes the emphasis of sports over academics at all levels of schooling, and the short length of the U.S. school year compared to that of other countries. Advocates minimum academic standards as a prerequisite for athletic participation, and students' choice of a college based on graduation rates rather than athletic achievement. (BC)

The student rights protests of the 1960s, the 26th Amendment granting 18-year-olds the right to vote, and the demise of in loco parentis greatly changed student-institutional relationships. Yet these relationships can be improved only by increased consumer protection. Institutional opinions on consumer issues need to be heard. (Author)

Although many colleges and institutions find the new legislation resulting from the consumer movement to be a threat to institutional autonomy, the author views these initiatives as encouragement to establish greater understanding in the public mind about the processes and results of postsecondary education. Ordered public disclosure may be a…

This series of papers by prominent economists who have specialized in educational issues brings an economic perspective to some of the major questions being asked about education today. Three papers address elementary and secondary education with an emphasis on educational equity. One examines the educational opportunities of at-risk children and…

Contributions of participants in a three-day invitational symposium for representatives of the 21 California high schools which were most successful in sending Black and Hispanic students to the University of California and the California State University are compiled in this document. The publication addresses two major goals of the California…