Families may choose to save for college or elementary and secondary education expenses using tax-advantaged qualified tuition programs (QTPs), also known as 529 plans. This report provides an overview of the mechanics of 529 plans and examines the specific tax advantages of these plans. Specifically, this report is structured to first compare…

After several years of operating in crisis mode, many teachers are feeling exhausted and burned out. More than ever, they need to feel appreciated, valued, and respected to be resilient in the face of ongoing stress. One of the best ways to show appreciation for teachers is to value their professional growth and provide support to address their…

In the long history of higher education, there have been many endowment gifts that have strengthened institutions and brought about profound public benefits, but there are sometimes disappointment and controversy. Savvy donors need to think carefully before entering into endowment agreements which are difficult to change before death and virtually…

The annual budgeting process is a valuable opportunity for districts to systematically examine both resource use and programming. They can then use the findings to optimize resource use and improve program efficacy in ways that will lead to increased student achievement. Bo Yan and Thomas Aberli discuss three root causes for districts' inability…

As the calls for responsible investing grow, universities will be asked about their endowments' investment policies regarding impact investing, wherein endowments seek opportunities that provide investment returns and social impact. A common concern for the investment committees, however, is how to incorporate impact investments without…

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is perceived as important by universities and industry for equipping students with employability skills. This study contributes to the literature by using a methodological approach that visualises the sustained underinvestment in WIL by both universities and industry, which leaves professional staff who administer…

Educating people in personal finance is of utmost importance. However, previous studies show that traditional approaches to financial education may lack experiential learning components that help students connect theory and practice. This article describes a pedagogical approach to financial literacy education taught at an international liberal…

This program memorandum conveys to States the Biden-Harris Administration's priorities, State Plan requirements, submission process, and deadline for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Unified and Combined State Plans (State Plans) for Program Years (PYs) 2024 through 2027, consistent with WIOA Sections 102 and 103.

Many communities are embracing "inclusive economic development" as a way to address inequity that persists even as the economy grows. In an effort to spark a national conversation about the conditions needed to achieve inclusive economic development, this report gives an overview of what JFF [Jobs for the Future] has learned about the…

In this article we apply R, a free software, and recent stock-price data to illustrate the portfolio diversification concept, a corner stone of modern finance theory. Currently, recent stock-price data are available on the internet at no cost to users. By using current market data to construct realistic and authentic examples, student engagement…

Nonprofit institutions with large endowments have been facing challenges from various stakeholders contesting the management of their investment portfolios. While these challenges are most commonly associated with institutions of higher education, pension funds and private foundations will increasingly face similar challenges regarding how the…

The Iowa Private Academic Library Open Educational Resources (IPAL OER) Project supported 62 open educational resources (OER) projects at 18 private colleges and universities in Iowa. The project impacted 1,800 students during the 2021-2022 academic year. Students saved more than $208,000 on the costs of textbooks. OER adoption led to positive…

Colleges and universities across the country must make significant capital investments to meet today's digital demands. Critical Connections explains why this challenge is more complex for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) than for predominantly White institutions (PWIs). It also details: (1) What makes the HBCU model so…

Through teaching, training, research and service to the community, Canada's universities and colleges are essential to creating a more democratic and just society, driving the economy, and preparing for the future. Canadians need a strong commitment from their federal government to protect and preserve the public post-secondary education system.…

Domestic and international competition for STEM talent is driving institutions across the research and innovation landscape to consider new policies and partnerships for building and managing STEM knowledge and skills. New levels of investment in human capital to increase U.S. innovation capacity and competitiveness will require coordination and…