During the 2007-08 academic year, nearly two-thirds (66 percent) of all undergraduates received some type of financial aid, and nearly one-half (47 percent) received federal financial aid. The latest National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:08) uses nationally representative data to document how students and their families pay for college. NPSAS:08 also contains data on a variety of student characteristics, readily available to the public through a new online tool, QuickStats (see below). Visit NPSAS:08
QuickStats is a new, easy-to-use online tool that makes four major National Center for Education Statistics postsecondary education datasets, including NPSAS:08, accessible to the public. Developed by MPR and IT Innovative Solutions Corp., QuickStats allows users to answer their own questions, choosing among variables to create tables that can be graphed, downloaded, and printed or saved. Visit QuickStats
MPR and ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Careers are joining forces in a project with the National Governors Association to help states strengthen career and technical education. The project brings together state policymakers and industry leaders from Arizona, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, and Oklahoma to develop state action plans for more rigorous CTE that integrates academics and prepares students for both college and careers. MPR and ConnectEd staff will analyze state policy priorities and challenges, develop strategic policy options, and provide technical assistance as states create their plans. Contact: Jim Schoelkopf
To ensure that Wyoming’s seven community colleges meet the needs of students, residents, and employers, MPR is developing a statewide strategic plan with the Wyoming Community College Commission. Drawing on a wide range of state information and an advisory council representing colleges, businesses, and legislators, the plan will translate state goals and priorities into a high-quality system with measurable outcomes and incentives for meeting goals. Contact: Laura Horn
More than two-thirds of inmates released from prisons are reincarcerated, in part because they lack marketable skills and support for their re-entry into the community. Education and workforce training can help disrupt this unfortunate cycle. Community Colleges and Prisons: Providing Workforce Education and Training to Reduce Recidivism describes partnerships between community colleges and prisons in 11 states that help former prisoners build productive lives. View Community Colleges and Prisons: Providing Workforce Education and Training to Reduce Recidivism Contact: Michelle Tolbert
Academic Competitiveness and SMART Grant Programs: First-Year Lessons Learned. View Report
Assessing the Feasibility of a Test Item Bank and Assessment Clearinghouse: Strategies to Measure Technical Skill Attainment of Career and Technical Education Participants. View Report
MPR will be posting several new positions over the next few months. Check our website at www.mprinc.com.
