ERIC ED503593: Measuring Up 2008: The State Report Card on Higher Education. Illinois

2008·1 MB·English

by  ERIC

MEASURING UP
2008
THE STATE REPORT CARD
ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Illinois
What Is Measuring Up? A Snapshot of
Grades and
M Change Over Time
easuring Up is a series of biennial report cards that provide the general public
Preparation:
and policymakers with information to assess and improve higher education in Grades: 6 states received an A,
18 states received a B, 21 states
each state. The report cards evaluate states because they are primarily responsible
received a C, 5 states received a
for educational access and quality in the United States. This year’s edition, Measuring
D, and no state received an F.
Up 2008, is the fifth in the series, which began in 2000. In Measuring Up, “higher
Change Over Time:* 34 states
education” refers to all education and training beyond high school, including public have improved or remained
stable on the key indicator
and private, two- and four-year, and for-profit and nonprofit institutions.
and 16 states have declined on
the key indicator.
The report card grades states in six overall all portion of income that most families must de-
Participation:
performance categories: vote for higher education continues to escalate.
Grades: 2 states received an A,
Preparation: How adequately does the state In Measuring Up 2008, state performance in 8 states received a B, 22 states
prepare students for education and training higher education is assessed in three ways: received a C, 15 states received
beyond high school? a D, and 3 states received an F.
Graded Information: Each state’s current
Participation: Do state residents have sufficient performance is compared with that of the best- Change Over Time:* 43 states
opportunities to enroll in education and training performing states, and the results are indicated have improved or remained
beyond high school? by letter grades. stable on the key indicator
and 7 states have declined on
Affordability: How affordable is higher educa- Change Over Time: Change Over Time indicators
the key indicator.
tion for students and their families? compare each state’s current performance with its
Affordability:
own previous performance in the 1990s. For each
Completion: Do students make progress toward
category, the state’s change is determined by its Grades: 1 state received a C
and complete their certificates or degrees in a
improvement or decline in performance on a key and 49 states received an F.
timely manner?
indicator in that category. This information is Change Over Time:* 2 states
Benefits: What benefits does the state receive displayed in two ways. First, states receive either an have improved or remained
from having a highly educated population? “up” or a “down” arrow in each performance area stable on the key indicator
(see page 3). An “up” arrow indicates that the state and 48 states have declined
Learning: What is known about student learning
has increased or remained stable on the key indica- on the key indicator.
as a result of education and training beyond high
tor in the category, a “down” arrow indicates that
school? Completion:
the state has declined on the key indicator in the
Grades: 11 states received
Each state receives a letter grade in each per- category. Secondly, information about Change
an A, 20 states received a B,
formance category. Each grade is based on the Over Time is presented graphically in greater detail
16 states received a C, 1 state
state’s performance on several indicators, or on the fourth page of this report card.
received a D, and 2 states
quantitative measures, in that category.
International Comparisons: As in 2006, this year’s received an F.
In four of the performance categories — Prepara- edition of Measuring Up offers international
Change Over Time:* 48 states
tion, Participation, Completion, and Benefits — comparisons that reveal how well the United States
have improved or remained
grades are calculated by comparing each state’s and each of the 50 states are preparing residents
stable on the key indicator
current performance with that of the best-per- with the knowledge and skills necessary to
and 2 states have declined on
forming states. This comparison provides a bench- compete in a global economy. State performance
the key indicator.
mark for evaluating each state’s performance is compared with the performance of nations that
Benefits:
within a national context and encourages each are associated with the Organisation for Economic
state to “measure up” to the highest-performing Co-operation and Development (OECD). Grades: 5 states received an A,
states. The Affordability category is the exception. 15 states received a B, 19 states
In Measuring Up 2008, all states receive an
In this category, the state’s current performance is received a C, 10 states received
“Incomplete” in Learning because there are not
compared with the performance of the best states a D, and 1 state received an F.
sufficient data to allow meaningful state-by-state
in the late 1990s, since current performance re- Change Over Time:* 50 states
comparisons. Measuring Up 2006 provided state-
flects a trend to “measure down” rather than have improved or remained
specific information on Learning for nine states,
“measure up.” All but one state receive an “F” in stable on the key indicator.
but in 2008 no state collects and provides the
Affordability. The failing grades in this category
information necessary to determine the state’s * For the key indicators for Change
confirm the fast decline in affordable higher edu-
“educational capital” — or the level of knowledge Over Time, please see the five in-
cation for American families. Despite state and
and skills possessed by its residents. dicators with asterisks on page 4.
federal increases in student financial aid, the over-
MEASURING UP 2008 2 www.highereducation.org
Illinois
PREPARATION
Illinois performs fairly well in preparing its REPORT CARD
B
young people for college, but there are large
gaps by ethnicity.
2008 Grade
nEighth graders perform fairly well in writing,
Preparation B
but their scores in reading and math are fair,
and their performance in science is poor.
nOnly 74% of Hispanics and 82% of blacks have Participation C
Change Over Time
a high school credential, compared with 95%
of whites.
Affordability F
Completion B+
PARTICIPATION
Despite modest improvements, Illinois is no
C Benefits B
longer a leader in providing college opportu-
nities for its residents.
2008 Grade
nThe likelihood of enrolling in college by age 19 Learning I
has declined, as has the percentage of working-age
adults enrolled in higher education.
nAmong young adults, 25% of Hispanics and 29%
Change Over Time
of blacks are enrolled in college, compared with
45% of whites.
AFFORDABILITY BENEFITS
Higher education has become less affordable A large proportion of residents have a
F B
for students and their families. bachelor’s degree, but there are substantial
nPoor and working-class families must devote 37% of gaps by ethnicity.
2008 Grade 2008 Grade
their income, even after aid, to pay for costs at two- nEleven percent of Hispanics and 19% of blacks
year colleges. have a bachelor’s degree, compared with 36%
nFor every dollar in Pell Grant aid to students, the of whites.
state spends 82 cents—down from 89 cents in 1993, nIf all racial/ethnic groups had the same
Change Over Time Change Over Time
despite significant tuition increases. educational attainment and earnings as whites,
total annual personal income in the state would
be about $35 billion higher.
COMPLETION LEARNING
Illinois performs well in awarding certificates Like all states, Illinois receives an
B+ I
and degrees relative to the number of “Incomplete” in Learning because there is
students enrolled, but there are large gaps not sufficient data to allow meaningful
2008 Grade by ethnicity. 2008 Grade state-by-state comparisons.
nFifty-nine percent of college students complete a
bachelor’s degree within six years.
nOnly 34% of blacks and 45% of Hispanics gradu-
Change Over Time
ate within six years, compared with 65% of whites.
The gap between blacks and whites is one of the
largest in the nation.
WHAT DO THE ARROWS MEAN?
State has increased or remained stable on the key indicator
State has declined on the key indicator in the category.
in the category.
MEASURING UP 2008 3 www.highereducation.org
CHANGE OVER TIME: KEY INDICATORS Illinois 2008
This page reflects Illinois’ performance and progress since the early 1990s on several key indicators.
PREPARATION PARTICIPATION
The percentage of young adults in Illinois who College enrollment of young adults in Illinois The enrollment of working-age adults, relative to
earn a high school diploma has increased since has improved slightly since the early 1990s. the number of residents without a bachelor’s de-
the early 1990s. High school completion is The state is slightly below the national average gree, has declined in Illinois—as it has nationally
slightly above the U.S. average but below the top- and well below the top states in the percentage and in the best-performing states. The percentage
performing states. of young adults enrolled. attending college in Illinois is slightly above the
U.S. average but below the top states.
Percentage of 18–24 Year-Olds with Percentage of 18–24 Year-Olds Percentage of 25–49 Year-Olds Without a
a High School Credential* Enrolled in College* Bachelor’s Degree Enrolled in College
100 60 12
10.6
94 94 95
95
50 10 9.3
89 43 44 8.9
90 87 39 9.1
86 40 8 8.5
85 88 33 34 6.6
86 86 31
7.2 6.9
30 33 33 6
80
29 5.7
75 20 4
1990-92 1998-2000 2006 1991 2001 2007 1991 2001 2007
AFFORDABILITY COMPLETION BENEFITS
The share of family income, even after financial aid, The number of undergraduate credentials The percentage of residents who have a
needed to pay for college has risen substantially. To and degrees awarded in Illinois, relative to the bachelor’s degree has increased. Illinois is
attend public two-year colleges in Illinois, students and number of students enrolled, has increased since above the U.S. average but below the top states.
families pay about the same as the U.S. average which
the early 1990s. Illinois surpasses the U.S. average
is more than the best-performing states. To attend
but is below the top states on this measure.
public four-year colleges, they pay more than the
national average and more than those in best-
performing states.
Percentage of Income Needed to Pay for All Degree Completions Percentage of 25–64 Year-Olds with
Public Two- and Four-Year Colleges per 100 Students* a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher*
40 Public Two-Year Public Four-Year* 30 40 37
35 35
3305 28 25 20 21 21 29 29 32
20 20 30
25 2424 16
20 19 19 19 19 20 15 14 16 18 24 27 29
15 14
15 13 10 20 23
10
10
5
5
0 0 10
1999-2000 2007-2008 1999-2000 2007-2008 1992 2000 2007 1990 2000 2006
*Key indicator for the category.
LEGEND:
& = Illinois & = United States & = Median of Top Five States
MEASURING UP 2008 4 www.highereducation.org
PREPARATION Illinois 2008
Illinois performs fairly well in preparing its young people for college,
B
but there are large gaps by ethnicity.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
PREPARATION Illinois Top
Compared with other states: States
Early 1990s* 2008
n Eighty-nine percent of young
adults in Illinois earn a high High School Completion (25%)
school diploma or General 18- to 24-year-olds with a high school credential 86% 89% 95%
Education Development (GED)
K-12 Course taking (30%)
diploma by age 24.
n A small proportion (30%) of 9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level math course n/a n/a** 64%
eighth graders in Illinois are 9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level science course n/a n/a** 46%
enrolled in algebra.
8th grade students taking algebra n/a 30% 47%
n Eighth graders in Illinois
K-12 Student Achievement (35%)
perform fairly well on national
assessments in writing. However, 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
15% 31% 41%
their performance on national assessment exam in math
assessments in reading and math 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
n/a 30% 39%
is only fair, and their perform- assessment exam in reading
ance in science is poor.
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
n Low-income 8th graders assessment exam in science n/a 27% 41%
perform very poorly on national
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
assessments in math. n/a 37% 46%
assessment exam in writing
n Illinois is among the top-
Low-income 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on
performing states in the propor- n/a 13% 24%
the national assessment exam in math
tions of 11th and 12th graders
scoring well on college entrance Number of scores in the top 20% nationally on SAT/ACT college
172 271 265
exams, although fairly small entrance exam per 1,000 high school graduates
proportions score well on Number of scores that are 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement
75 168 237
Advanced Placement tests. subject test per 1,000 high school juniors and seniors
n Seventy-four percent of second- Teacher Quality (10%)
ary school students are taught
7th to 12th graders taught by teachers with a major in their subject n/a 74% 83%
by qualified teachers, which
compares well with top-perform- * The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available. See the
ing states. Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
**Data are not available because the state did not participate in the national survey.
Performance Gaps
n There is a 14% gap between
whites and all minorities in the
Change in Graded Measures Other Key Facts
percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds
with a high school credential, n Over the past 15 years, Illinois has consistently per- n Among working-age adults (ages 25 to 49) without a
which is one of the largest gaps formed very well on the proportions of 11th and 12th high school diploma, only eight out of 1,000 earned a
in the United States. Among the graders scoring well on college entrance exams. GED.
same population, 82% of blacks n About 17% of children under age 18 live in poverty,
and 74% of Hispanics, the largest compared with a national rate of 18%.
minority populations in Illinois, n Policymakers and state residents do not have access
have a high school credential,
to important information about the courses students
compared with 95% of whites.
take in high school because the state declined to
participate in the national survey.
The preparation category measures how well a state’s K-12 schools prepare students for education and training beyond high school. The opportunities that
residents have to enroll in and benefit from higher education depend heavily on the performance of their state’s K-12 educational system.
MEASURING UP 2008 5 www.highereducation.org
PARTICIPATION Illinois 2008
C
Despite modest improvements, Illinois is no longer
a leader in providing college opportunities for its residents.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
Illinois
PARTICIPATION Top
Compared with other states: States
Early 1990s* 2008
nThe chance of Illinois students
Young Adults (67%)
enrolling in college by age 19 is
only fair. Chance for college by age 19 49% 45% 57%
nIn addition, only a fair 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college 31% 33% 44%
percentage of working-age adults Working-Age Adults (33%)
(ages 25 to 49) are enrolled in 25- to 49-year-olds enrolled in any type of postsecondary
9.1% 6.6% 8.9%
college-level education or education with no bachelor’s degree or higher
training.
*The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available. See the
Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
Performance Gaps
nThere is a 13% gap between
Other Key Facts
whites and all minorities in the
percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds nIllinois’ population is projected to grow by 5% from nAbout 15% of the adult population has less than a
enrolled in college. The gap 2005 to 2025, below the national increase of 18%. high school diploma or its equivalent, compared with
between whites and Hispanics is During approximately the same period, the number 16% nationwide.
20%, and the gap between whites of high school graduates is projected to remain the
nIn Illinois, 4,913 more students are leaving the state
and blacks is 16%. same.
than entering to attend college. About 22% of Illinois
high school graduates who go to college attend
Change in Graded
college out of state.
Measures
Since the early 1990s:
nThe chance of enrolling in
college by age 19 has decreased
by 7%, in contrast to a
nationwide increase of 8%.
The state’s decrease is due to a
decline in the percentage of
students graduating from high
school and a drop in the
percentage of students going
on to college.
nThe percentage of working-age
adults (ages 25 to 49) who are
enrolled in education or training
beyond high school has declined
by 27%, compared with a
national decline of 22%.
The participation category addresses the opportunities for state residents to enroll in higher education. A strong grade in participation generally indicates that state
residents have high individual expectations for education and that the state provides enough spaces and types of educational programs for its residents.
MEASURING UP 2008 6 www.highereducation.org
AFFORDABILITY Illinois 2008
Higher education has become less affordable for
F
students and their families.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
Illinois Top States
nCompared with best-performing AFFORDABILITY
Previous Current in Previous
states, families in Illinois devote a Years* Year Years
very large share of family
Family Ability to Pay (50%) 2000 2008
income, even after financial aid,
to attend public two- and four- Percent of income (average of all income groups) needed to pay
year colleges and universities, for college expenses minus financial aid:
which enroll 73% of college at community colleges 19% 24% 13%
students in the state. In addition,
at public 4-year colleges/universities 19% 35% 10%
families devote a very large share
at private 4-year colleges/universities 47% 69% 30%
of family income to attend
private four-year institutions. Strategies for Affordability (40%) 1993 2008
nIllinois’ investment in need- State investment in need-based financial aid as compared to 89% 82% 89%
the federal investment
based financial aid is very high
At lowest-priced colleges, the share of income that the poorest
when compared with top- 14% 20% 7%
families need to pay for tuition
performing states. Nevertheless,
the share of family income Reliance on Loans (10%) 1995 2008
needed to pay for college is very Average loan amount that undergraduate students borrow each year $2,979 $4,698 $2,619
large when compared with other
* See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
states, and Illinois does not offer
low-priced college opportunities. Note: In the affordability category, the lower the figures, the better the performance for all indicators except for “State
investment in need-based financial aid.”
nUndergraduate students
borrowed on average $4,698 in
2007.
Other Key Facts
Change in Graded nIn Illinois, 51% of students are enrolled in public two-
year colleges, 22% in public four-year colleges and
Measures
universities, and 26% in private four-year institutions.
nSince the late 1990s, the share of (Note: Numbers may not equal exactly 100% due to
family income, even after rounding.)
financial aid, needed to pay for
college expenses at public four-
year institutions has increased
from 19% to 35%.
nSince the early 1990s, Illinois has
decreased its commitment to
financially needy students.
The affordability category measures whether students and families can afford to pay for higher education, given income levels, financial aid, and the types of colleges
and universities in the state.
MEASURING UP 2008 7 www.highereducation.org
AFFORDABILITY Illinois 2008
Financial Burden to Pay for College Varies Widely by Family Income
Those who are striving to reach or stay in the middle class — the 40% of the nIf the same student were to attend a public four-year college in the state,
population with the lowest incomes — earn on average $20,456. their net cost to attend college would represent about 53% of their
nIf a student from such a family were to attend a community college in the income annually.
state, their net cost to attend college would represent about 37% of their Tuition, room, and board: $16,738
income annually.
Financial aid received: -$5,974
Tuition, room, and board: $9,900
Net college cost: $10,764
Financial aid received: -$2,379
Percent of income: 53%
Net college cost: $7,521
Note: The numbers shown for tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid
Percent of income: 37% may not exactly equal net college cost due to rounding.
Community Public 4-Year Private Non-Profit 4-Year
A CLOSER LOOK Colleges colleges/universities colleges/universities
Median Percent Percent Percent
AT FAMILY
Family Net of income Net of income Net of income
Income college needed to college needed to college needed to
ABILITY TO PAY
cost* pay net cost* pay net cost* pay net
college college college
cost cost cost
Income groups used to calculate 2008
family ability to pay
20% of the population with the lowest income $12,074 $6,608 55 $9,218 76 $21,634 179
20% of the population with lower-middle income $30,186 $8,489 28 $12,157 40 $21,129 70
20% of the population with middle income $50,018 $9,257 19 $14,649 29 $22,373 45
20% of the population withupper-middleincome $75,666 $9,517 13 $14,947 20 $23,408 31
20% of the population with the highest income $133,824 $9,646 7 $15,311 11 $25,146 19
40% of the population with the lowest income $20,456 $7,521 37 $10,764 53 $21,394 105
* Net college cost equals tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid.
MEASURING UP 2008 8 www.highereducation.org
COMPLETION Illinois 2008
Illinois performs well in awarding certificates and
B+
degrees relative to the number of students enrolled,
2008 Grade Change Over Time but there are large gaps by ethnicity.
Graded Information
Illinois
COMPLETION Top
Compared with other states:
States
Early 1990s* 2008
n Only a fair percentage (50%) of
first-year students in community Persistence (20%)**
colleges return for their second 1st year community college students returning their second year 53% 50% 66%
year.
Freshmen at 4-year colleges/universities returning their
79% 71% 82%
n However, a high percentage sophomore year
(71%) of freshmen at public and Completion (80%)
private four-year colleges and First-time, full-time students completing a bachelor’s degree
55% 59% 65%
universities return for their within 6 years of college entrance
sophomore year.
Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
n A very high percentage (59%) per 100 undergraduate students 14 20 21
of first-time, full-time college Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
23 35 44
students complete a bachelor’s per 1,000 adults with no college degree
degree within six years of * The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
enrolling in college.
**2008 data may not be comparable with data from previous years. See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
n In addition, a very large
proportion of students complete
Performance Gaps Change in Graded Measures
certificates and degrees relative
to the number enrolled. n There is a 19% gap between whites and all minorities n Since the early 1990s, Illinois has seen a substantial
n Thirty-five postsecondary in college graduation rates at four-year institutions, increase in the proportion of students completing
which is one of the largest gaps in the United States. certificates and degrees relative to the number
certificates and degrees were
Thirty-four percent of blacks and 45% of Hispanics, enrolled, with the greatest growth in certificates and
awarded for every 1,000 people
the largest minority populations in Illinois, graduate bachelor’s degrees awarded. The state has improved
in the state without a college
from a four-year institution within six years, on this measure by 36%, compared with a nationwide
degree.
compared with 65% of whites. increase of 24%.
n Among white students, 21 degrees are awarded for n During the same period, Illinois has also seen a
every 100 students. In contrast, among all minority substantial increase in the number of certificates and
students, 17 degrees are awarded for every 100 degrees completed relative to the population with no
students. The rate of awards for blacks and Hispanics, college degree.
the largest minority populations in the state, is 19 for
every 100 undergraduate enrollments and 13 for
every 100 undergraduate enrollments, respectively.
The completion category addresses whether students continue through their educational programs and earn certificates or degrees in a timely manner.
Certificates and degrees from one- and two-year programs as well as the bachelor’s degree are included.
MEASURING UP 2008 9 www.highereducation.org
BENEFITS Illinois 2008
A large proportion of residents have a bachelor’s
B
degree, but there are substantial gaps by ethnicity.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
Illinois
BENEFITS
Compared with other states: Top States
Early 1990s* 2008
nA large proportion of residents
have a bachelor’s degree, and Educational Achievement (38%)
the economic benefits to the Adults (ages 25 to 64) with an associate’s degree or higher 31% 40% 44%
state as a result are fairly high.
Adults (ages 25 to 64) with a bachelor’s degree or higher 24% 32% 37%
nIn addition, residents contribute Economic Benefits (31%)
substantially to the civic good, as
Increase in total personal income as a result of the percentage
measured by charitable giving
of population with some college (including an associate’s 2% 2% 3%
and voting. degree), but not a bachelor’s degree
Increase in total personal income as a result of the percentage
7% 9% 11%
Performance Gaps of population holding a bachelor’s degree
nThere is a 14% gap between Civic Benefits (31%)
whites and minorities in the Residents voting in national elections 57% 52% 65%
percentage of 25- to 64-year-olds
Of those who itemize on federal income taxes, the percentage
with a bachelor’s degree or declaring charitable gifts 92% 87% 90%
higher. Among the same
Increase in volunteering as a result of college education 16% 15% 20%
population, 11% of Hispanics
Adult Skill Levels (0%)**
and 19% of blacks, the largest
minority populations in Illinois, Quantitative Literacy n/a n/a n/a
have a bachelor’s degree or Prose Literacy n/a n/a n/a
higher, compared with 36% of
Document Literacy n/a n/a n/a
whites.
nIf all racial/ethnic groups had *The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
the same educational attainment
**State-level estimates on these measures are not currently available except for six states participating in an oversample;
and earnings as whites, total
NCES intends to release limited 50-state data on this 2003 survey in 2009.
annual personal income in the
state would be about $35 billion
higher. Other Key Facts
nIn 2007, Illinois scored 68 on the New Economy nPolicymakers and state residents do not have access to
Change in Graded
Index, compared with a nationwide score of 62. The important information about high-level literacy skills
Measures
New Economy Index, created by the Kauffman because the state has declined to participate in the
nSince the early 1990s, the Foundation, measures the extent to which a state is national literacy survey.
percentage of residents holding participating in knowledge-based industries. A higher
a bachelor’s degree has score means increased participation.
increased by 32%, compared
with an increase of 28% for the
United States overall.
The benefits category measures the economic and societal benefits that the state receives as a result of having well-educated residents.
MEASURING UP 2008 10 www.highereducation.org