News Update From the Council on Postsecondary Education

COUNCIL NEWS

Kentucky sees brain gain, retains more college graduates

The vast majority of people who earn degrees at Kentucky’s public colleges and universities stay in Kentucky after graduation according to a Council study released this month. The study shows 95 percent of resident graduates from public colleges and universities stay in Kentucky after completing their degree or credential, a 12 percent increase from a similar study conducted by CPE in 2000. Between 2000 and 2006, the overall proportion of graduates (resident and non-resident) from Kentucky public colleges and universities who chose to remain in the state increased from 73 to 86 percent. The number of non-resident students remaining five years after graduation rose more than 50 percent (37 percent in 2006 compared to 24 percent in the 2000 study) and roughly half (49 percent) of international students also chose to stay after graduation. To view the full report, visit the Council Web site.

Enrollment reaches record high for ninth year in a row

Undergraduate enrollments reached a record high for the ninth year in a row with 206,419 students enrolled in public institutions, up about 1.5 percent over fall 2005. Kentucky State University led the public universities in undergraduate increases with a 5.1 percent increase, followed by Northern Kentucky University at 4.6 percent. For more information on fall 2006 enrollment, visit the Council Web site.

Annual accountability report shows progress on achieving 2020 goals

The Council recently released its annual Accountability Report to inform policymakers and the public of the systemwide and institutional progress made in advancing the goals of the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997 (HB 1) and the Public Agenda for adult and postsecondary education. Kentucky made progress on 12 of 19 statewide indicators, specifically related to postsecondary preparation, degree and credential production, learning, and economic and community development. The report shows attending college in Kentucky remains affordable but rising tuition costs over the last several years are cause for concern, particularly for low income families and working adults. A summary and the full report are available on the Council Web site.

Regional stewardship efforts planned at MSU and WKU

Murray State University and Western Kentucky University will receive $400,000 over the next two years to support the development and implementation of regional stewardship programs. MSU will use these funds to staff and support a newly created Office of Regional Stewardship and Outreach and WKU will use these funds to convert its existing “A Local Information and Volunteer Exchange” (ALIVE) Center to a regional stewardship center. Each office will have primary responsibility for ensuring implementation of the university’s regional stewardship plan. The Council approved funding for Northern Kentucky University's Regional Stewardship program in Sept. 2006. For more information on regional stewardship efforts at MSU and WKU, visit the Council Web site.

Council chooses new board leaders

The Council on Postsecondary Education elected Mr. John Turner as new Council chair Jan. 29. Turner will serve a one-year term beginning Feb. 1 and will replace Mr. Ron Greenberg, who has served as chair since Jan. 2005. The Council also elected Mr. Dan Flanagan to serve as Council vice chair for a term of one year. Flanagan will replace Mr. John Turner, Council vice chair since 2005.

Higher education finance expert kicks off budget policy discussions

Dennis P. Jones, president of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems and a widely recognized expert in state and institutional higher education financing, met with the Council’s Budget and Finance Policy Group earlier this month to kick off a series of discussions that will lead to new budget policies for financing Kentucky’s system of postsecondary education. Jones presented a national perspective and numerous state trends for developing effective higher education finance policy. Legislative leaders, the state budget director, institutional presidents and other state policy makers participated in the meeting. Jones also attended the Council meeting Jan. 29. To view Jones' presentation to the Budget and Finance Policy Group, visit the Council Web site.

Kentucky participates in national discussion on college readiness

Council President Tom Layzell and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Applegate represented Kentucky Jan. 22 – 23 at “Advancing College Readiness,” a national summit sponsored by the American Council on Education, Achieve Inc., the State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) and the National Association of System Heads. The purpose of the summit was to outline the role higher education leaders should play in ensuring that high school graduates learn the right skills and graduate ready for college and the workforce. As Kentucky was one of the first five states to initially join Achieve Inc.’s American Diploma Project (ADP), the Council was invited to share best practices from Kentucky. For more information, visit the ACE Web site.

HOT RESEARCH TOPICS IN EDUCATION

Making the Grade: How Boards Can Ensure Academic Quality
This report by the Association of Governing Boards offers strategies for boards to significantly contribute to their institutions' accountability for academic quality.

Quality Counts 2007: From Cradle to Career- Connecting American Education From Birth to Adulthood
This report from Education Week tracks state efforts to connect education from preschool through postsecondary education and training.

Tough Choices or Tough Times
This report from the National Center on Education and the Economy is the final report of the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce. The report proposes a national restructuring of educational priorities that will have a major impact on all levels of education.

High School to College and Careers: Aligning State Policies 2007
This Southern Regional Education Board report shows a comparison of SREB state policies governing many areas of college readiness, including high school course and testing requirements, early outreach, joint enrollment programs, college admission and placement standards, colleges' reports to high schools about their graduates' performance and state financial aid.

Increasing Accountability for Teacher Preparation Programs
This report from the Southern Regional Education Board identifies what SREB states are doing to respond to increased pressure for sound accountability systems and how states are ensuring that alternative programs are producing qualified teachers for schools.