ContactBenchmarks that Define Successful Postsecondary Preparation
This report presents an inventory of potential postsecondary academic preparation benchmarks based on research and feedback from practitioners. The findings suggest that there is a strong relationship between the curriculum taken in high school and postsecondary success. However, the author states that the traditionally perceived college-preparatory core curriculum does not necessarily guarantee postsecondary success. New research indicates that the most effective preparation is a curriculum that exceeds the traditional core curriculum across most subject areas. In light of these findings, the report identifies benchmarks for both minimum and advanced preparation. While academic preparation is the focus of the report, the author also recognizes that other areas including financial literacy and social-cultural awareness affect preparation for college. For a copy of the report please contact Nancy Borkow.
Deciding on Postsecondary Education (NCES 2008-850)
This report examines the data and the information that potential students, (particularly non-traditional aged, minority, and students of low- and moderate- socioeconomic status), use and need in making decisions about postsecondary education. Qualitative data were gathered and analyzed from focus groups and secondary data were collected through research literature. The findings state that more comprehensible information, additional resources, and improved assistance for prospective college students and their families are needed.
Information Center for State Level Indicators
NPEC has provided support to the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) for the development of a web-based tool that presents state, and, in some instances, county postsecondary education indicators. The information is downloadable and easy-to-use. Analysts, policy-makers, and others interested in state-level postsecondary education data analysis will find this tool available on the web, free-of-charge at http://www.higheredinfo.org.
National Symposium on Postsecondary Student Success
In November 2006, NPEC hosted a 3-day national symposium on postsecondary student success in Washington, DC. The purpose of the symposium was to discuss what constitutes success and what factors impact the chances of success for different types of students in different types of postsecondary institutions. NPEC also commissioned papers for the symposium by top researchers in the field of student success, as well as respondent papers from federal, state, and institutional postsecondary decision makers.
(274 KB)State Postsecondary Education Consumer Website Pilot Project
Through this pilot project, NPEC supported three states (Florida, Kentucky, and Minnesota) in providing better and more easily accessible information for prospective students and their families, particularly for adults and other underserved populations. Project outcomes include a new or upgraded user-friendly website for each state. The audiences for this project are students, parents, high school counselors, educators, institutions, other states, and other professionals interested in advancing the information provided to postsecondary education consumers. A Lessons Learned report will be available early in 2009. You can visit the new state web sites at:
Florida—http://www.facts.org
Kentucky—http://www.knowhow2goky.org/
Minnesota—http://www.iseek.org
