The Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS) provides information on persistence, progress, and attainment from initial time of entry into postsecondary education through leaving and entering the workforce. BPS includes traditional and nontraditional (e.g., older) students and is representative of all beginning students in postsecondary education. BPS follows first-time, beginning students for at least 5 years at approximately 2-year intervals, collecting student data, and financial aid reports. By starting with a cohort that has already entered postsecondary education, and following it for 5 years, BPS can determine to what extent, students who start postsecondary education at various ages differ in their progress, persistence, and attainment. The first BPS study was conducted in 1989–90, with follow-up surveys in 1992 and 1994. The second BPS cohort of students began with a survey in 1995–96, with follow-ups in 1998 and 2001.
Further information on BPS may be obtained from:
Aurora M. D'Amico
Postsecondary Coop System, Analysis, and Dissemination (PSD)
National Center for Education Statistics
1990 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
Aurora.D'Amico@ed.gov
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/bps/
NCES Sources