Understanding the Role of Public Policy In Improving the Performance of Higher Education: Insights...
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Transcript of Understanding the Role of Public Policy In Improving the Performance of Higher Education: Insights...
Understanding the Role of Public Policy In Improving the
Performance of Higher Education: Insights from a State Policy Review
Project
Joni E. Finney and Laura W. Perna
Presentation to Education Writers Association
May 18, 2012
AcknowledgementsProject team: Joni Finney, Laura Perna, Patrick CallanMichael Armijo, Jamey Rorison, Awilda RodriguezScott Stimpfel, Christopher Miller
Sponsors:Institute for Research on Higher EducationNational Center for Public Policy & Higher Education
Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationLumina Foundation
Importance of Improving Educational Attainment:International Competitiveness
Source: Baum, S., Ma, J., & Payea, K. (2010). Education Pays. Washington, DC: College Board.
Importance of Improving Educational Attainment: Growing Demand for College-
Educated Workers
Source: Carnevale, A., Smith, N., & Strohl, J. (2010). Help wanted. Washington, DC: Georgetown Center for Workforce and the Economy.
Importance of Improving Educational Attainment: Equity and Social Justice
Source: Analyses of data from the American Community Survey.
Asians Blacks Hispanics Whites0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%49.7%
17.2%12.6%
30.4%
Percent of Adults Age 25 and Older With At least a Bachelor's Degree
Increasing Racial/Ethnic Diversity of The U.S. Population
Source: WICHE (2008). Knocking on the college door. Boulder, CO: Author.
Educational Attainment Levels & Needs
Vary Across States
-5%
5%
15%
25%
35%
45%
55%% Adults with College Degrees (2008)Annual % Increase Needed to Meet 55% Goal by 2020
Source: Kelly (2010)
Measuring Up – Biennial state-by-state report card
(National Center for Public Policy & Higher Education)• Identifies performance of each state on indicators of:
Preparation Participation Completion Affordability Benefits
• Does not reveal: • Reasons for high or low performance• Reasons for changes in performance
What Do We Know about the Role of
States in Promoting Educational Attainment?
1. What is the performance of higher education in particular states? How has performance changed over time?
2. What is the context that informs higher education performance in a state? How are aspects of context changing? How does the state context influence the policy options considered?
3. What policy levers have been used in each state?
4. What is the relationship between policy levers and higher education performance?
Research Questions
5 States • Georgia• Illinois• Washington• Texas• Maryland
Data Sources• Quantitative data • Reports and documents• Interviews
Data Analysis• Case study report for each state• Cross-case analysis
Methods: Case Study Research
Case Study Findings
Illinois: A story of decline
Washington: State leadership vacuum
Maryland: Much accomplished, Much at stake
Texas: Hard choices ahead
Georgia: Perpetuating disparity
www.gse.upenn.edu/irhe/srp
Emerging Conclusions Across States
Context:
Demographic, political, cultural, historical, fiscal
Structure and characteristics of higher education system
PolicyStatewide planning and leadership
Strategic use of available fiscal resources
Movement of students across educational levels and sectors
Use of available higher education capacity
Attention to cumulative contribution of policies to stratification of educational opportunity and attainment
Is There a Shared Public Agenda for Higher Education in the State?
Has the state established clear state-wide goals and priorities for higher education?
Is there consensus among all stakeholders around the goals and priorities?
Has the state implemented policies to achieve shared goals and priorities?
Are there mechanisms to ensure accountability for achieving shared statewide goals and priorities?
Is there a mechanism for linking tuition to state appropriations and financial aid?
Are increases in tuition linked to increases in family income?
Are state resources used to reduce volatility in state appropriations and tuition?
Does the state invest in need-based student aid?
Is the state working to control costs & improve efficiency of higher education?
Is the state using funding to encourage improved performance?
Are Fiscal Resources Used Strategically to Achieve Statewide Goals for Higher Education?
Do state policies ensure that students who graduate from high school are academically prepared for higher education?
Do state policies ensure that students can transfer between higher education institutions without loss of credit?
How Does the State Ensure the Successful Movement of Students Across Education Levels and Sectors?
What mechanisms is the state using to ensure all state residents have higher education access?
Strategies: branch campuses, university centers, transfer policies, applied baccalaureate degrees
What mechanisms does the state use to encourage enrollment in particular sectors?
How are for-profit colleges and universities considered in the state’s goals for higher education?
How Is the State Using its Available Postsecondary Education Institutions to Meet Statewide Goals and Priorities?
Do K12 and higher education policies ensure college readiness?
Do financing policies ensure college affordability?
Are race and income explicit foci of state policies?
How does the state address shortfalls in student aid?
Do state policies “track” students into “workforce” and “education” programs?
How do desegregation mandates impact enrollment and completion for different groups?
What Is the Cumulative Contribution of Policies to Stratification of Educational Opportunity?
Conclusions
All states must do more to improve higher education performance
Context and structure matter
BUT lessons can be identified across states about the role of public policy in improving performance