Graduation rates are often used indicators of the performance of institutions of higher education. How institutions are represented can be profoundly affected by different approaches used to develop the data for the rates. The impact of variations in how these rates are constructed is illustrated by the example of the City University of New York…

This study used data from the Baccalaureate and Beyond (B&B) and Beginning Postsecondary Student (BPS) studies to examine: the early labor force experiences of college students who either graduated or dropped out; student borrowing for postsecondary education; and student loan debt burden and repayment status. The B&B group (n=11,000) was…

A total of 72 papers on nontraditional and interdisciplinary programs are presented in 11 tracks: (1) Assessing Learning Outcomes and Providing Quality in Non-Traditional Degree Programs (8 papers, including "Assessing the Quality of a Non-Traditional Degree Program: A Case Study," by Solomon Deressa and Mary Sue Simmons); (2)…

A comprehensive study was undertaken of the effectiveness of an external degree program implemented in Illinois to meet the needs of adult students studying for the bachelor's degree. The rationale, history, structure, administration, and governance of the statewide program offered through five universities are described. The majority of students…

A two-phase study of external degree holders was carried out in 1976-1977 by the Bureau of Social Science Research in cooperation with the American Council on Education and under the sponsorship of the National Institute of Education. Over 3,000 men and women who had received an Associate or Bachelor's degree since the commencement of these…

A study compared surveys conducted in 2000 of the graduates of Australian TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and university bachelor programs and outlined some of the similarities and differences between the two sectors. Some of the key findings of the study are the following: (1) 89 percent of TAFE graduates were employed or in further study…

Describing outcomes related to student retention and graduation in the University System of Georgia, this six-part report discusses definitions and assumptions pertaining to retention and compares success rates for black, white, developmental studies, and regularly-admitted freshmen students in USG senior and two-year colleges. Section 1 provides…

This paper, the first in a series of discussion papers for faculty members and administrators, contends that outdated structures, practices, and reward systems frustrate higher education's ability to reap the benefits of new directions in student learning. It finds that broad agreement is emerging on what students ought to learn from their…

Compares California State University alumni survey ratings evaluating each social science major in developing basic employment skills. Concludes that, although sociology received mediocre ratings compared to the other social science majors in the latest study, the ratings are improving. Reports substantially lower incomes for women alumnae as…

To develop a comprehensive picture of successful Arizona community college transfer students and to determine differences between two-year college transfer, four-year college transfer, and native university students, a study was conducted of the characteristics, goals, and outcomes of students graduating with a baccalaureate degree from four major…

Experiences of students while attending the City University of New York (CUNY) and their status approximately one year after graduation were studied with a sample of June 1979 graduates. About a 60 percent response rate to the questionnaire, which is appended, was obtained. It was found that 47 percent of associate degree graduates and 31 percent…

In this paper the authors identified the size of America's home market as a crucial component of its historical comparative advantage. The authors showed that over the last four decades nearly 60 percent of per capita U.S. growth has been dependent upon growth in the domestic consumption. Thus, a comprehensive demand side strategy also must target…

This report summarizes a study of costs of health professions training programs from certificate to professional level in Colorado. The main findings include the following: the majority of degree programs are offered at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and at community and local district colleges; there is a high degree of…

In 1989, a study was conducted of the academic achievement of Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Area Community College (HACC) students who transferred to State University I (SUI) during the fall semesters of 1983, 1984, and 1985. A total of 81 students were identified and their academic records were tracked through the end of the spring semester 1989.…

Undergraduate education in different postsecondary sectors is discussed in four articles on community colleges, state colleges, liberal arts colleges, and research universities. For each type of college, consideration is given to its history; value system; physical, financial, and human resources; and internal and external factors affecting…