Most States Lack Measurable Goals for Higher Ed

Improving higher education is a top priority in almost every state, but fewer than half of states have set specific, measurable goals to track their progress in enrolling, retaining and graduating students, according to a new report from Jobs for the Future (JFF), By the Numbers: State Goals for Increasing Postsecondary Attainment.

The Boston-based nonprofit organization found just 23 of the 50 states have set at least one numerical goal for increasing the number of students who enroll in college, stay in college, and graduate with a college degree. Only 10 have set numerical goals for all three. In addition, only 11 have set even one goal related to improving the success rate among minority students.

"States are spending $63 billion a year on higher education, but if they don’t quantify what they’re trying to accomplish, it’s going to be impossible to tell when they’ve succeeded," said JFF President and Chief Executive Officer Marlene Seltzer.

The report is the result of JFF’s 50-state survey of statewide higher education plans. In addition to which states set numerical goals, the research also examined plans with a specific emphasis on numerical goals for student access and success, the rationale used in setting them, whether the goals sought to address gaps among different ethnic or income groups, and the methods used for measuring progress. States’ efforts to inform the public about higher education goals and their importance also were tracked.

Although a small cadre of states are commended for setting goals, of particular concern is the lack, in most states, of any goals aimed at increasing success rates among minority students. Only eight states set goals for increasing the number of minority students in college, and only four had one or more goals for increasing minority graduation rates. The 11 states identifying goals for increasing minority enrollment, retention or graduation include Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. Given the changing demographics of many states, failure to address these achievement gaps could potentially have a major impact on states’ economic well-being into the future.

Of the states that set higher education goals, increasing the number of students who enroll in some form of postsecondary education was the one most commonly identified — 20 states set such a target. Nineteen states set goals for the number or percentage of students who complete a degree, and 10 set goals for retention, a term that usually refers to the proportion of first-time, full-time freshmen that continue into their sophomore year.

The report highlights the importance of a comprehensive plan for getting students in and through higher education. Ten states have set goals for improving outcomes in all three key areas — enrollment, retention and graduation. They are Alaska, Missouri, New Jersey, Louisiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming. Kentucky also stands out for its unique approach, the report states, incorporating its higher education goals into a broad plan to meet statewide economic needs. The plans implemented by both Kentucky and Texas are discussed in detail in the report as examples of this comprehensive approach.

The full report, including state-by-state data, is available at http://www.jff.org/jff/kc/library/0269.

Links to this paper and more than 3,000 additional TBED-related research reports, strategic plans and other papers can be found at the Tech-based Economic Development (TBED) Resource Center, jointly developed by the Technology Administration and SSTI, at http://www.tbedresourcecenter.org/.

Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2006. Redistribution to all others interested in tech-based economic development is strongly encouraged. Please cite the State Science & Technology Institute whenever portions are reproduced or redirected.