ERIC ED503565: Measuring Up 2008: The State Report Card on Higher Education. New Jersey

2008·1.1 MB·English

by  ERIC

MEASURING UP
2008
THE STATE REPORT CARD
ON HIGHER EDUCATION
New Jersey
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
New Jersey
PREPARATION
New Jersey performs well in preparing its REPORT CARD
A-
young people for college, but there are large
gaps by ethnicity.
2008 Grade
nEighth graders score well in math and science and
Preparation A-
are among the top performers in reading and writ-
ing.
nHowever, only 80% of Hispanics and 88% of blacks Participation C
Change Over Time
have a high school credential, compared with 97%
of whites.
Affordability F
Completion C+
PARTICIPATION
College opportunities for New Jersey resi-
C Benefits A-
dents are only fair.
nThe likelihood of enrolling in college by age 19 is
2008 Grade
very high, but a very low percentage of working- Learning I
age adults (4 in 100) are enrolled in higher educa-
tion.
nAmong young adults, 29% of Hispanics and 32%
Change Over Time
of blacks are enrolled in college, compared with
47% of whites.
AFFORDABILITY BENEFITS
Higher education has become less affordable New Jersey is a top performer in the
F A-
for students and their families. proportion of residents with a bachelor’s
nFinancial aid to low-income students is high com- degree, but there are substantial gaps by
2008 Grade 2008 Grade ethnicity.
pared with other states.
nHowever, poor and working-class families must de- nFifteen percent of Hispanics and 22% of blacks
vote 40% of their income, even after aid, to pay for have a bachelor’s degree, compared with 41% of
costs at two-year colleges. whites.
Change Over Time Change Over Time
nIf all racial/ethnic groups had the same educa-
tional attainment and earnings as whites, total an-
nual personal income in the state would be about
$30 billion higher.
COMPLETION LEARNING
New Jersey performs poorly in awarding cer- Like all states, New Jersey receives an “In-
C+ I
tificates and degrees relative to the number complete” in Learning because there is not
of students enrolled, but those who do attain sufficient data to allow meaningful state-by-
2008 Grade a bachelor’s degree do so in a timely manner. 2008 Grade state comparisons.
nSixty-one percent of college students complete a
bachelor’s degree within six years.
nHowever, 48% of blacks and 49% of Hispanics
Change Over Time
graduate within six years, compared with 66% of
whites.
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 New Jersey 2008
This page reflects New Jersey’s performance and progress since the early 1990s on several key
indicators.
PREPARATION PARTICIPATION
The percentage of young adults in New Jersey who College enrollment of young adults in New Jersey The enrollment of working-age adults, relative to
earn a high school diploma has increased slightly has improved substantially since the early 1990s. the number of residents without a bachelor’s de-
since the early 1990s. High school completion is Compared with the national average and the top gree, has declined in New Jersey—as it has nation-
well above the U.S. average but slightly below the states, however, considerably fewer young adults ally and in the best-performing states. The
top-performing states. are enrolled in New Jersey (in percentages). percentage attending college in New Jersey is well
below the U.S. average and 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
43 44 8.9
90 91 90 92 39
40 8 7.2
85 88 33 34 6.9
86 86
29 5.7
30 6 6.6
80 30 30 5.9 4.4
23
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 The number of undergraduate credentials and The percentage of residents who have a bache-
aid, needed to pay for college has increased. To degrees awarded in New Jersey, relative to the lor’s degree has increased considerably in New
attend public two- and four-year colleges in New number of students enrolled, has increased since Jersey. The state is well above the U.S. average and
Jersey, students and families pay more than the the early 1990s. However, New Jersey is below the is one of the top states.
U.S. average and more than those in the best- U.S. average and the top states on this measure.
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 34 25 35 37
30 27 28 20 20 21 21 30 29 33
25 24 16 18
20 20 19 19 19 20 15 14 28 27 29
15
15 14
15 13 10 13 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:
& = New Jersey & = United States & = Median of Top Five States
MEASURING UP 2008 4 www.highereducation.org
PREPARATION New Jersey 2008
A- New Jersey performs well in preparing its young people for college,
but there are large gaps by ethnicity.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
PREPARATION New Jersey Top
Compared with other states: States
Early 1990s* 2008
nNinety-two percent of young
High School Completion (25%)
adults in New Jersey earn a high
school diploma or General 18- to 24-year-olds with a high school credential 91% 92% 95%
Education Development (GED) K-12 Course Taking (30%)
diploma by age 24.
9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level math course n/a n/a** 64%
nOnly a fair proportion (35%) of 9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level science course n/a n/a** 46%
8th graders take algebra.
8th grade students taking algebra n/a 35% 47%
nEighth graders in New Jersey K-12 Student Achievement (35%)
perform very well on national
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
assessments in math, reading,
assessment exam in math 24% 40% 41%
and writing, indicating that they
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
are well prepared to succeed in n/a 39% 39%
assessment exam in reading
challenging high school courses.
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
The state is the top performer in n/a 33% 41%
assessment exam in science
writing and among the top
performers in reading. Eighth 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national n/a 56% 46%
assessment exam in writing
graders perform fairly well on
national assessments in science. Low-income 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on
n/a 17% 24%
the national assessment exam in math
nThe performance of low-income
Number of scores in the top 20% nationally on SAT/ACT
8th graders on national 126 191 265
college entrance exam per 1,000 high school graduates
assessments in math is fairly low.
Number of scores that are 3 or higher on an Advanced
nLarge proportions of 11th and Placement subject test per 1,000 high school juniors and seniors 99 205 237
12th graders score well on Teacher Quality (10%)
Advanced Placement tests, but
7th to 12th graders taught by teachers with a major in their subject n/a 79% 83%
fairly small proportions score
well on college entrance exams. *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.
nSeventy-nine percent of second-
**Data are not available because the state did not participate in the national survey.
ary school students are taught by
qualified teachers, which com-
Performance Gaps Other Key Facts
pares very well with top-perform-
ing states. nThere is an 11% gap between whites and all minori- nAmong working-age adults (ages 25 to 49) without a
ties in the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds with a high school diploma, only eight out of 1,000
high school credential. Among the same population, earned a GED.
88% of blacks and 80% of Hispanics, the largest mi-
nAbout 12% of children under age 18 live in poverty,
nority populations in New Jersey, have a high school
compared with a national rate of 18%.
credential, compared with 97% of whites.
nPolicymakers and state residents do not have access to
Change in Graded Measures important information about the courses students
take in high school because the state declined to
nOver the past several years, New Jersey has
participate in the national survey.
consistently performed very well on national
assessments in reading.
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 New Jersey 2008
C
College opportunities for New Jersey residents are only fair.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
New Jersey
PARTICIPATION Top
Compared with other states: States
Early 1990s* 2008
nThe chance of New Jersey high
Young Adults (67%)
school students enrolling in
college by age 19 is very high, Chance for college by age 19 51% 57% 57%
making New Jersey a top- 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college 23% 30% 44%
performing state on this measure.
Working-Age Adults (33%)
nHowever, a very low percentage 25- to 49-year-olds enrolled in any type of postsecondary
6.6% 4.4% 8.9%
of working-age adults (ages 25 to education with no bachelor’s degree or higher
49) are enrolled in college-level
*The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
education or training.
See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
Performance Gaps
nThere is a 13% gap between Change in Graded Measures Other Key Facts
whites and all minorities in the Since the early 1990s: nNew Jersey’s population is projected to grow by 10%
percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds nNew Jersey has consistently performed very well on from 2005 to 2025, below the national increase of 18%.
enrolled in college. The gap During approximately the same period, the number of
the chance of high school students enrolling in
between whites and Hispanics is high school graduates is projected to increase by 10%.
college by age 19.
18%, and the gap between whites
and blacks is 15%. nThe percentage of working-age adults who are nAbout 14% of the adult population has less than a
high school diploma or its equivalent, compared with
enrolled in education or training beyond high school
16% nationwide.
has declined by 33%, compared with a national
decline of 22%. nIn New Jersey, 29,559 more students are leaving the
state than entering to attend college. About 38% of
New Jersey high school graduates who go to college
attend college out of state.
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 New Jersey 2008
F Higher education has become less affordable for students
and their families.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
New Jersey Top States
nCompared with best-performing AFFORDABILITY Previous Current in Previous
states, families in New Jersey Years* Year Years
devote a very large share of
Family Ability to Pay (50%) 2000 2008
family income, even after
Percent of income (average of all income groups) needed to
financial aid, to attend public
pay for college expenses minus financial aid:
two- and four-year colleges and
universities, which enroll 84% of at community colleges 20% 27% 13%
college students in the state. at public 4-year colleges/universities 19% 34% 10%
nThe state is a top performer in at private 4-year colleges/universities 48% 59% 30%
the very high investment it Strategies for Affordability (40%) 1993 2008
makes in need-based financial
State investment in need-based financial aid as compared
aid. Nonetheless, the share of to the federal investment 104% 102% 89%
family income, even after
At lowest-priced colleges, the share of income that the
financial aid, needed to pay for poorest families need to pay for tuition 15% 21% 7%
college is very large when
Reliance on Loans (10%) 1995 2008
compared with other states, and
New Jersey does not offer low- Average loan amount that undergraduate students borrow each year $2,883 $4,493 $2,619
priced college opportunities. *See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
nUndergraduate students borrowed Note: In the affordability category, the lower the figures, the better the performance for all indicators except for “State
on average $4,493 in 2007. investment in need-based financial aid.”
Change in Graded
Measures
nSince the late 1990s, the share of
family income, even after
financial aid, needed to pay for
college expenses at public four-
year institutions has increased
from 19% to 34%.
Other Key Facts
nIn New Jersey, 47% of students
are enrolled in community
colleges and 37% in public four-
year colleges and universities.
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 New Jersey 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 $25,155. their net cost to attend college would represent about 50% 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 40% of their Tuition, room, and board: $19,587
income annually.
Financial aid received: -$7,021
Tuition, room, and board: $12,617
Net college cost: $12,566
Financial aid received: -$2,591
Percent of income: 50%
Net college cost: $10,026
Note: The numbers shown for tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid
Percent of income: 40% 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 $14,489 $9,004 62 $10,859 75 $22,755 157
20% of the population with lower-middle income $36,424 $11,111 31 $14,105 39 $21,423 59
20% of the population with middle income $60,372 $12,057 20 $16,931 28 $22,828 38
20% of the population with upper-middle income $94,155 $12,270 13 $17,209 18 $24,252 26
20% of the population with the highest income $165,287 $12,398 8 $17,692 11 $26,689 16
40% of the population with the lowest income $25,155 $10,026 40 $12,566 50 $22,123 88
*Net college cost equals tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid.
MEASURING UP 2008 8 www.highereducation.org
COMPLETION New Jersey 2008
New Jersey performs poorly in awarding certificates and degrees
C+
relative to the number of students enrolled, but those who do attain
a bachelor’s degree do so in a timely manner.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
New Jersey
COMPLETION Top
Compared with other states:
States
Early 1990s* 2008
nA high percentage (57%) of first-
year students return for their Persistence (20%)**
second year at community 1st year community college students returning their second year 55% 57% 66%
colleges.
Freshmen at 4-year colleges/universities returning their
84% 82% 82%
nIn addition, the percentage of sophomore year
freshmen at four-year colleges Completion (80%)
and universities who return for First-time, full-time students completing a bachelor’s degree
58% 61% 65%
their sophomore year is very within 6 years of college entrance
high (82%), making New Jersey a
Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
top-performing state on this per 100 undergraduate students 13 15 21
measure.
Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
15 21 44
nAmong first-time, full-time per 1,000 adults with no college degree
students, a very high percentage *The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
(61%) complete a bachelor’s
**2008 data may not be comparable with data from previous years. See theTechnical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
degree within six years of
enrolling in college.
nHowever, a fairly small Performance Gaps Change in Graded Measures
proportion of students complete nThere is a 12% gap between whites and all minorities nOver the past decade, the state has consistently
certificates and degrees relative
in college graduation rates at four-year institutions. performed very well on the percentage of first-time,
to the number enrolled.
Forty-eight percent of blacks and 49% of Hispanics, full-time college students earning a bachelor’s degree
nLikewise, only 21 postsecondary the largest minority populations in New Jersey, within six years of enrolling in college.
certificates and degrees were graduate from a four-year institution within six years, nSince the early 1990s, New Jersey has seen an increase
awarded for every 1,000 people compared with 66% of whites.
in the proportion of students who complete
in the state without a college nAmong white students, 17 degrees are awarded for certificates and degrees relative to the number
degree, placing New Jersey
every 100 students. In contrast, among all minority enrolled, with the greatest growth in bachelor’s
among the lowest-performing
students, 13 degrees are awarded for every 100 degrees awarded.
states on this measure.
students. The rate of awards for both blacks and
nDuring the same period, New Jersey has seen an
Hispanics, the largest minority populations in the
increase in the number of certificates and degrees
state, is 12 for every 100 undergraduate enrollments.
completed relative to the population with no college
degree. Nevertheless, New Jersey’s current
performance on this measure remains very low when
compared with other states.
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 New Jersey 2008
A- New Jersey is a top performer in the proportion of residents with a
bachelor’s degree, but there are substantial gaps by ethnicity.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
New Jersey
BENEFITS
Compared with other states: Top States
Early 1990s* 2008
nA very large proportion of
residents have a bachelor’s Educational Achievement (38%)
degree, and this substantially Adults (ages 25 to 64) with an associate’s degree or higher 35% 44% 44%
strengthens the state economy,
Adults (ages 25 to 64) with a bachelor’s degree or higher 28% 37% 37%
making New Jersey a top
Economic Benefits (31%)
performer on both of these
measures. Increase in total personal income as a result of the percentage
of population with some college (including an associate’s degree), 1% 2% 3%
nIn addition, residents contribute but not a bachelor’s degree
substantially to the civic good, as
Increase in total personal income as a result of the percentage
measured by charitable giving. of population holding a bachelor’s degree 9% 11% 11%
Civic Benefits (31%)
Performance Gaps
Residents voting in national elections 51% 47% 65%
nThere is an 11% gap between
Of those who itemize on federal income taxes, the percentage
whites and minorities in the declaring charitable gifts 94% 90% 90%
percentage of 25- to 64-year-olds
Increase in volunteering as a result of college education 17% 12% 20%
with a bachelor’s degree or
Adult Skill Levels (0%)**
higher. Among the same
population, 15% of Hispanics and Quantitative Literacy n/a n/a n/a
22% of blacks, the largest minority Prose Literacy n/a n/a n/a
populations in New Jersey, have a
Document Literacy n/a n/a n/a
bachelor’s degree or higher,
compared with 41% of whites. *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.
nIf all racial/ethnic groups had the
**State-level estimates on these measures are not currently available except for six states participating in an oversample;
same educational attainment and
NCES intends to release limited 50-state data on this 2003 survey in 2009.
earnings as whites, total annual
personal income in the state
would be about $30 billion higher.
Change in Graded Measures Other Key Facts
nSince the early 1990s, the percentage of residents nIn 2007, New Jersey scored 86 on the New Economy
holding a bachelor’s degree has increased by 29%, Index, compared with a nationwide score of 62. The
compared with an increase of 28% for the United States New Economy Index, created by the Kauffman
overall. New Jersey has consistently performed very well Foundation, measures the extent to which a state is
on this measure when compared with other states. participating in knowledge-based industries. A higher
score means increased participation.
nPolicymakers and state residents do not have access to
important information about high-level literacy skills
because the state has declined to participate in the
national literacy survey.
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