Postsecondary Participation and State Policy : Meeting the Future Demand

by Martinez, Mario

• ISBN13: 9781579221164
• ISBN10: 1579221165
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781000978353
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-09-15
• Publisher: Stylus Pub Llc

Summary

Research shows that all sectors of society, across age and racial groups, consider access to higher education as essential to achieving satisfying employment and a better quality of life. Yet there has been surprisingly little public discussion about recent major changes in higher education access and funding and no policy debate about how to respond to Americans' growing aspirations about college. This book stimulates debate by presenting research about future demand: changing patterns of postsecondary participation and census projections over the next fifteen years, and their implications for resources and funding. The author disaggregates state data, taking into account states' individual histories, size, age demographics, regional characteristics and priorities, to show the different policy options available. Rather advancing any particular policy, the author aims to stimulate an informed discussion about alternative strategies to meet demand and increase access. What is the college population likely to look like in 2015? What are the projected patterns for traditional and adult students? What factors will influence enrollment in private or public institutions, or two- or four-year colleges? The authors set their analyses in the context of the public and private benefits of higher education. This volume presents multiple scenarios of future enrollment, and state-by-state comparisons, that are vital for setting priorities and determining the implications of increasing access to higher education.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD	xi
PREFACE	xix
INTRODUCTION	1	(3)
Demographics and Policy	4	(3)
1. THE IMPORTANCE OF POSTSECONDARY PARTICIPATION	7	(8)
The Benefits of Higher Education: Past and Present	8	(2)
The Growing Case for Postsecondary Participation	10	(5)
2. THE CURRENT STATE OF POSTSECONDARY PARTICIPATION	15	(16)
The Current Picture of Postsecondary Participation	15	(3)
Population by Age	18	(2)
Applying Financial Ratio Analysis to Postsecondary Participation	20	(3)
18- to 24-Year-Olds	23	(4)
25 and Older	27	(3)
Conclusion	30	(1)
3. THE FUTURE STATE OF POSTSECONDARY PARTICIPATION	31	(16)
2015 Age Group Populations	34	(8)
Comparison Ratio Changes	42	(3)
Conclusion	45	(2)
4. LEAVE NO STUDENT BEHIND: EXCEEDING THE STATUS QUO	47	(14)
Benchmark Achievement	49	(5)
Moving Toward Improvement	54	(1)
Baseline Plus	55	(4)
Conclusion	59	(2)
5. FUNDING HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE FUTURE	61	(16)
Enrollment Growth	63	(3)
The Inflation Factor	66	(2)
Future Funding Scenarios	68	(6)
Conclusion	74	(3)
6. STATE POLICY AND HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLY	77	(14)
Successful State Policy in the Future	80	(8)
Conclusion	88	(3)
7. ALIGNING POLICYMAKER EXPECTATIONS WITH FUTURE DEMAND	91	(12)
Outcomes	91	(1)
Means and Ends	92	(2)
Changing Demographics and Higher Education Policy	94	(5)
Achieving Outcomes	99	(2)
Conclusion	101	(2)
APPENDIXES
A. 2000 Participation Statistics, with Participation Rates	103	(3)
B. 2000 Participation Statistics, with Comparison Ratios	106	(3)
C. 2015 Population Statistics	109	(3)
D. 2015 Participation Statistics	112	(3)
E. Enrollment Changes: 2000 to 2015	115	(3)
F. 2015 Comparison Ratios	118	(3)
G. 2015 Projected Enrollments: 18-24	121	(3)
H. 2015 Projected Enrollments: 25+	124	(3)
I. 2015 Projected Enrollments: 18+	127	(3)
J. Enrollment Growth Factors	130	(2)
K. Funding Scenarios	132	(2)
L. Appropriation Increases	134	(3)
M. 2000 Appropriations	137	(2)
REFERENCES	139	(4)
NOTES	143	(4)
INDEX	147