This report looks at actions Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states have taken in recent years to improve the connections between public two- and four-year colleges, and it offers suggestions on what needs to happen next. To best understand the progress in their states, policymakers and education leaders should ask about the effectiveness…

How important is intelligence to financial success? Using the NLSY79, which tracks a large group of young U.S. baby boomers, this research shows that each point increase in IQ test scores raises income by between $234 and $616 per year after holding a variety of factors constant. Regression results suggest no statistically distinguishable…

In an effort to understand one aspect of the relationship between the secondary and postsecondary sectors in Indiana, this analysis reports data regarding on-site instruction at the secondary school in which students earn dual credit. Under "dual credit" arrangements, a student simultaneously earns credit that will count toward meeting…

This transfer guide provides supplemental counseling for community college students from throughout Washington who intend to transfer to Washington State University (WSU) in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree. The information it contains is designed to help students to identify the most appropriate courses for them to take prior to transferring to…

Financial planning strategies for families who expect to pay most of their children's college costs are offered. Information on changes mandated by the 1986 Tax Reform Act is provided. Topics include: closing the gap between higher education and family savings; assessing the financial risks and rewards of investments; gifts; understanding the…

A description is given of an inservice program designed to provide both the means by which schools can change and also the means by which individual teachers can work toward advanced degrees and higher levels of state certification. The focus of this program is on the school and the classroom learning environment in which the graduate student's…

This study is concerned with the historical development of certain areas of university extension--credit and noncredit courses, correspondence study, and conferences, institutes, and short courses--which appear widespread and important in current extension programs. Credit and noncredit courses and correspondence study were among the earliest…

This report compiles three studies conducted by the Office of Institutional Research at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) to evaluate the cost effectiveness of the various publicity methods initiated since 1971 to promote continuing education/community services activities. The three studies are: (1) cost effectiveness of newspaper…

Mattatuck Community College implemented non-punitive grading practices into its grading system in the Fall 1973 semester. These practices centered about the elimination of plus and minus grades, elimination of the grade of F, and liberalizing the course withdrawal policy to allow for withdrawal without penalty throughout the semester. A comparison…

After examining some of the pros and cons of traditional grading, the demands colleges make on grading practices, and the responses of people interested in grading, a number of examples of operating alternative systems are given. The alternatives include a dual (pass/withdraw grading in some courses, traditional grading in others) system, a…

This newsletter summarizes the movement of transfer students from British Columbia (BC) colleges, university colleges, and institutes (sending Institutions) into BC universities from the Fall of 2006 into calendar year 2007. Predictions for 2008 are also provided along with trends from Fall 2003 to the present. Transfer students are classified…

It took five years, dozens of drafts, and a total of 14 extensions, but Congress last week was finally on the verge of passing a bill to renew the Higher Education Act, the major law governing federal student aid. The bill, after approval by the U.S. House of Representatives, was headed to the Senate, where a final vote was planned for late last…

Many school choice enthusiasts think school choice legislation can be passed if only a number of minority political leaders can be won to the cause. Polls show that African Americans are among the strongest supporters of vouchers, tax credits, and charter schools. If minority leaders can be weaned away from traditional alliances, the underlying…

The fourth recommendation in ACTE's postsecondary reform position statement is to ensure portability and transferability of credits and skills attained. All postsecondary learning has value that should be recognized. Students' progress toward completion of postsecondary credentials can be improved with clear, consistent policies that ensure full…

Many postsecondary students possess risk factors that are associated with decreased rates of persistence and credential completion. Traditional students, those without risk factors and with greater rates of postsecondary success are in the minority. Using data from Achieving the Dream: Community College Count, this issue of "Data Notes" examines…