Focus and Activities

NPEC is responsible for developing a research and development agenda for the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Specifically, NPEC:

• Identifies key data issues and proposes a research and development agenda for IPEDS
• Monitors and reviews commissioned background papers, on topics of importance to the IPEDS Technical Review Panel
• Serves on the IPEDS Technical Review Panel; and
• Identifies topics for research generated through the NPEC/AIR Focused Grant program. Grant program information and applications can be accessed at AIR Grant Programs. To download copies of final grant reports go to AIR Funded Research and Dissertation Grants.

In 2009–10, NPEC has supported research on: 1) a review of the IPEDS Completion Survey, including exploring issues of alignment with the IPEDS GRS survey, clarification of definitions, and a review of options for collecting data focusing on students rather than awards; and 2) a review of the IPEDS HR survey focusing on what data are required to be collected, what key questions the HR data can address, to what extent current HR data are being used, and how state and other national human resources-related data collections compare to IPEDS HR.

In addition, 2009–10 NPEC activities have included two new working groups. The Institutional Groupings working group is looking at the shifting trends in institutional classification, and reviewing different methodologies for classifying institutions and the impact various reporting methodologies has on IPEDS. The Financial Aid Data working group is reviewing the IPEDS financial aid survey and taking a broader view on financial aid data availability to inform policy makers and the public. It is examining data on financial aid usage; financial need and the economic background of students; and the role of financial aid in persistence and completion.