In this research brief, the author examines the unique challenges and experiences of part-time learners, as well as the institutional policies and practices that support and impede their long-term success and degree attainment. To bridge gaps in research about the part-time student population and institutional practices that impact their…

Studies about effective practice in Higher Education (HE), student retention, progression and attainment suggest that student engagement is a major factor in success. A sense of belonging to a community of students and academics is seen as key to creating effective engagement. Such studies have identified interventions that have proved successful…

Although collaboration skills are highly valued by employers, convincing students that collaborative learning activities are worthwhile, and ensuring that the experience is both useful and enjoyable, are significant challenges for educators. This paper addresses these challenges by exploring students' and tutors' experiences of a group project…

Student persistence or retention has been a documented issue in higher education in the United States since the late 1800s. While much has been written about the topic of retention at the more traditional types of institutions, little has been written about retention at the online institutions of higher learning that have developed since the early…

The United States is becoming less globally competitive as other nations move aggressively to educate their populations. To lead the world once again in educational attainment--President Obama's goal by 2020--more Americans will need to enter college. But the biggest challenge isn't college going; it is college completion. Around the country,…

This report presents findings from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System's (IPEDS) Fall Enrollment Survey from 1986 to 1994. IPEDS collects enrollment data from all postsecondary institutions eligible to participate in Title IV financial aid programs although the data in this report pertain only to institutions accredited at the…

Four papers discuss the use of management information systems (MIS) in institutions for further education (that is, adult education) in England. A brief introduction notes the problems of initiating MIS during a time of declining financial support. The first paper presents arguments for the use of MIS at the technical college level, suggests areas…

Two quantitative enrollment projection techniques and the methods used by researchers at the Ohio Board of Regents (OBR) are discussed. Two quantitative approaches that are typically used for enrollment projections are curve-fitting techniques and causal models. Many state forecasters use curve-fitting techniques, a popular approach because only…

The first statewide followup study of occupational/career education students in Illinois community colleges was developed through the efforts of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Research Advisory Council and the special Occupational Followup Subcommittee. The Phase 1 data for the followup study consisted of reporting student…

An assessment was conducted to determine accurately the true cost of education at different types of institutions and to identify the degree of government support. The article discusses procedures for updating the data, cost components, data sources, indirect tax expenditures for postsecondary education, and how to obtain additional information.…

Three papers focusing on various aspects of nontraditional postsecondary education, are presented in this volume. The first paper by Cross and Zusman explores the issue of nontraditional population needs and associated program responses. The second paper, by Bowen, Edelstein, and Medsker, focuses on the kinds of information that decisionmakers in…

This volume (second of three) contains statistical tables displaying origin or origin grouping of credit course students attending the State University of New York System. The volume contains six parts: Part 1 contains separate tables for each New York State county; Part 2 displays the permanent residence of students from outside of New York State…

This report presents results of the annual survey of the geographic origins, or permanent residence, of students attending institutions of the State University of New York during the fall 1991 term. The report includes all credit course students and all institutions of the State University system. Volume I is divided into two parts. Part 1…

There is a strong and growing argument for higher educational attainment in the United States. The jobs that are expected to support the economy in the coming years will depend on a skilled workforce that is able to learn and adapt quickly to new challenges. However, demographic patterns demonstrate that relying on the traditional K-16 pipeline to…

Each year, the Community College Survey of Student Engagement ("CCSSE") presents the results of its annual survey--and helps colleges use that information to improve student learning and persistence. "CCSSE" results give community colleges objective and relevant data about students' experiences at their colleges so they can better understand how…