A New Model for Adult Learners
Nearly half of the American higher education population consists of working adults—over age 24, attending college part time, and balancing family, work, and school. Most of these learners are seeking knowledge and skills that will enhance their professional lives. They see higher education as an adjunct to their professional development. For many of these students,…
Read MoreRemember the Working Adult College Student
According to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the fall 2019 college enrollment included 12.5 million students under age 25 and 7.4 million students 25 and older. If historical patterns hold about one-third of those enrollees will not earn a degree in eight years. According to the National Student Clearinghouse’s (NSC) 2019 report, Some College,…
Read MoreOne Student at a Time
Higher education has served an important role in facilitating national, state, local, and household well-being and prosperity. However, as we scan today’s marketplace and review recent data on student engagement and program completion, it is clear that in the next decade our society could benefit from a genuine and intentional industry-wide focus on serving each…
Read MoreListening to Learners: What Non-Completers Have to Tell Us About Education Policy
Policymakers recognize that to remain competitive in a global, tech-enabled world, the United States will need an ever more educated and skilled population. For their part, states have increasingly focused on helping residents who started college, but left without a degree to return and earn a credential. And for good reason: 36 million Americans have…
Read MoreAdults Completing Degrees—How Tackling A Persistent Problem Creates New Value
The urgency to integrate adult learners into national and regional economic growth plans is—finally—tangible. Colleges and universities are reporting lower enrollments and are looking to adult learners to fill seats. Employers are looking for candidates with postsecondary credentials and national funders are looking for solutions to the persistent Some College No Degree problem. These adults…
Read MoreNorth Carolina Embraces the Challenge of Affordability and Quality in Higher Education
North Carolina is embracing the challenge facing many states to address issues of affordability and quality in higher education, while supporting students, faculty, and administrators throughout their careers, working closely with policy makers and legislative leaders, and focusing on meeting the educational and workforce needs of our current and future economies. As various efforts attempt…
Read MoreWorking Americans Want “Equal Time” in the Presidential Debates about Higher Education
The working men and women of Iowa would like some “equal time” in the higher education debates currently crisscrossing their state as presidential candidates seek their support in the upcoming caucuses. Most press coverage of the Democratic nomination contest would have you believe that just about all of the candidates are running on some version…
Read MoreTransforming Yesterday’s Postsecondary System to Better Serve Today’s Students
A college degree is a proven pathway to a higher median-income level and improved social mobility for students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, and for greater equity for society as a whole. Yet many students who enroll in college do not finish; across the United States, there are 36 million adults–or approximately 10% of the…
Read More2019… 11 years into the Higher Education Opportunity Act
So much has happened since the last Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization – the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. NASA scientists found water on Mars. Music streaming platforms were invented. Ridesharing apps have become one of the most popular forms of transportation. In 2019, we’ve reached the 11th year since Congress has rewritten the…
Read MorePolicies Needed for Online Learners in 2020
Online learning plays a critical role for today’s students by offering greater flexibility to accommodate work schedules and, in many cases, creating more affordable pathways to credentials. However, concerns over quality and potential bad actors have inspired repeated attempts to regulate distance education in a manner that appropriately balances innovation with quality assurance and consumer…
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