policy & research Archives - Higher Education Today https://www.higheredtoday.org/topic/policy-research/ A Blog by ACE Mon, 03 Feb 2025 20:59:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://www.higheredtoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/apple-touch-icon-150x150.png policy & research Archives - Higher Education Today https://www.higheredtoday.org/topic/policy-research/ 32 32 Enrollment Trending Upward After COVID-19 https://www.higheredtoday.org/2025/02/03/enrollment-trending-upward-after-covid-19/ Mon, 03 Feb 2025 20:59:33 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28984 Title: Current Term Enrollment Estimates: Fall 2024 Source: National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Total fall 2024 enrollment rose across multiple factors—including sector, selectivity, and urban-rural classification—bringing it closer to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Service. Compared to fall 2019, overall enrollment increased by 0.4 percent, and compared to fall 2023, it grew by ...

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]]> The Growing Gender Divide in STEM Education https://www.higheredtoday.org/2025/02/03/the-growing-gender-divide-in-stem-education/ Mon, 03 Feb 2025 19:24:06 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28980 Title: The Hidden STEM Gender Gap: Why Progress at Top Universities Masks a Growing Crisis Source: Brookings Institution Authors: Joseph R. Cimpian and Jo R. King A recent Brookings Institution article, “The Hidden STEM Gender Gap: Why Progress at Top Universities Masks a Growing Crisis,” paints a complex picture of the state of gender equity in STEM higher education. While top ...

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]]> Building and Sustaining an AI-informed Institution https://www.higheredtoday.org/2025/01/21/building-and-sustaining-an-ai-informed-institution/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:56:14 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28975 Title: Navigating Artificial Intelligence in Postsecondary Education: Building Capacity for the Road Ahead Source: Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education As a response to the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, the Department of Education’s new brief, Navigating Artificial Intelligence in Postsecondary Education, provides recommendations for leaders at higher education institutions. ...

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]]> New Might Not Always Mean Improved: The Benefits and Drawbacks of the New FAFSA https://www.higheredtoday.org/2025/01/21/new-might-not-always-mean-improved/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:51:48 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28971 Title: Chutes and Ladders: Falling Behind and Getting Ahead with the Simplified FAFSA Authors: Jonathan S. Lewis and Alyssa Stefanese Yates Source: uAspire Prior to the 2024-25 academic year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) underwent significant changes, mandated by Congress through the FAFSA Simplification Act. A recent uAspire survey of 274 students, parents, counselors, and financial aid administrators ...

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]]> Dear President-elect Trump: Higher Education Builds America https://www.higheredtoday.org/2025/01/06/higher-education-builds-america/ Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:00:43 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28964 As you prepare to take office for a second time, we know you have ambitious plans to address the nation’s challenges and build a more secure and prosperous America. Achieving those goals will require contributions from many areas of society, and we urge you to see the value in partnering with our nation’s colleges and universities. Campuses across the country are deeply ...

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]]> Recommendations for States to Address Postsecondary Affordability https://www.higheredtoday.org/2024/12/12/recommendations-for-states-to-address-postsecondary-affordability/ Thu, 12 Dec 2024 18:38:19 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28959 Authors: Lauren Asher, Nate Johnson, Marissa Molina, and Kristin D. Hultquist Source: HCM Strategists An October 2024 report, Beyond Sticker Prices: How States Can Make Postsecondary Education More Affordable, reviews data to evaluate affordability of postsecondary education across nine states, including Alabama, California, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. The authors emphasize the importance of considering net price, or ...

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]]> From Pause to Progress: Predictors of Success and Hurdles for Returning Students https://www.higheredtoday.org/2024/12/12/from-pause-to-progress/ Thu, 12 Dec 2024 18:34:46 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28955 Title: Some College, No Credential Learners: Measuring Enrollment Readiness Source: Straighterline, UPCEA UPCEA and StraighterLine carried out a survey to examine the driving factors, obstacles, preparedness, and viewpoints of individuals who started but did not finish a degree, certificate, technical, or vocational program. This population, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, has grown to 36.8 million, a 2.9 percent ...

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]]> State Funding for Short-Term Credentials Ramps Up https://www.higheredtoday.org/2024/12/06/state-funding-for-short-term-credentials-ramps-up/ Sat, 07 Dec 2024 01:19:49 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28950 Title: A 2024 Update of State Investments in Short-Term Credential Pathways Author: Stephanie M. Murphy Source: HCM Strategists The higher education landscape continues to evolve rapidly as more and more students prioritize short-term credentials, also known as micro-credentials and non-degree credentials. There is increased demand for these valuable credentials, which can improve individuals’ career prospects and meet the changing needs of ...

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]]> For Adult Learners, College Means More Than Just Jobs and Wages https://www.higheredtoday.org/2024/11/22/college-means-more-adult-learners/ Sat, 23 Nov 2024 01:42:32 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28931 Title: Multiple Meanings of College: How Adult Learners Make Sense of Postsecondary Education & Why It Matters Authors: Melanie Shimano and Becky Klein-Collins Source: Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, Stanford Pathways Network, and Strada Education Foundation When adults decide to go back to college, some people assume their motivations are purely economic—to get a better job, make more money, or ...

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]]> Supporting Students Formerly in Foster Care https://www.higheredtoday.org/2024/11/22/supporting-students-formerly-in-foster-care/ Sat, 23 Nov 2024 01:41:23 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28930 Title: Addressing Challenges and Support for Youth Formerly in Foster Care Author: Ellie Taylor Source: Trellis Strategies Youth formerly in foster care (YFFC) face complex and heightened demands with regard to postsecondary education. In a new brief from Trellis Strategies, the author discusses the distinct needs of YFFC who pursue higher education. Trellis Strategies’ 2023 Student Financial Wellness Survey found that ...

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]]> Troubled FAFSA Rollout Linked to Sharp Decline in First-Year College Enrollment https://www.higheredtoday.org/2024/11/18/troubled-fafsa-rollout-college-enrollment-decline/ Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:12:27 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28926 Title: Fewer Freshmen Enrolled in College This Year Following Troubling FAFSA Cycle Author: Katharine Meyer Source: Brookings Institution, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center The rollout of the new FAFSA form last year triggered cascading consequences across the higher education community. The launch was delayed, customer calls remained unanswered, and the number of filings decreased by about three percent. As the form’s ...

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]]> Prioritizing Mental Health Support in Community Colleges: Key Data from 2023 https://www.higheredtoday.org/2024/11/18/mental-health-support-comm-colleges/ Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:01:52 +0000 https://www.higheredtoday.org/?p=28922 Title: Supporting Minds, Supporting Learners: Addressing Student Mental Health to Advance Academic Success Source: Center for Community College Student Engagement The 2023 Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) and Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE) gathered essential data to guide community colleges in supporting student mental health and well-being. The surveys collected responses from 61,085 students at 149 community colleges ...

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