The outcomes states gain from investing in postsecondary financial aid programs remain hotly debated, leading to great interest in developing programs that are both cost-effective and productive in helping states meet goals. In the 2012-13 academic year, states collectively provided approximately $11.2 billion in financial aid to students enrolled…

This article describes how out-of-work miners are engaged in the Empowering Education Initiative, a unique alliance between Country Music Television (CMT) and community colleges in Appalachia. The initiative, which includes a website and a series of country music concerts, is changing the conversation in the Appalachian region, giving hope to…

In January 1995, the Maryland Association of Deans and Directors of Continuing Education/Community Services undertook a study of all state organizations that had received workforce training under contract arrangements during 1993-94. The study sought to develop a profile of organizations served, determine employer satisfaction with training, and…

In fiscal year (FY) 1988, a total of 18,869 individuals took only noncredit classes at Prince George's Community College (PGCC), compared to 17,599 who enrolled exclusively in credit classes. A study was conducted to assess student outcomes in continuing education, using data from state reporting systems, interviews with apprenticeship and…

The Maryland State Board for Community Colleges designed a project to develop outcome measures for continuing education and to conduct a survey of vocational-technical continuing education students at Maryland community colleges. Five types of outcomes were identified for inclusion in a performance profile for college programs: student pass rate…

The Maryland Higher Education Commission surveyed more than 2,500 employers in the state to learn what programs at various degree levels were desired by employers. The results were examined along with labor market data about the projected number of job openings in specific occupational areas. It was concluded that nearly 60 percent of job openings…

Increasingly, small and mid-sized businesses are becoming just as focused on work force training as large corporations are. The training being provided by smaller companies is extending beyond nuts-and-bolts instruction into the area of core business skills, such as leading, managing, thinking creatively, and solving problems. States are…