ERIC ED503586: Measuring Up 2008: The State Report Card on Higher Education. California

2008·1 MB·English

by  ERIC

MEASURING UP
2008
THE STATE REPORT CARD
ON HIGHER EDUCATION
California
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
California
PREPARATION
California’s fairly low performance in REPORT CARD
C+
educating its young population could limit
the state’s access to a competitive
2008 Grade workforce and weaken its economy.
Preparation C+
nEighth graders perform very poorly in math,
science, reading, and writing.
nSeventy-five percent of Hispanics have a high Participation C
Change Over Time
school credential, compared with 95% of whites.
Affordability C-
Completion B-
PARTICIPATION
College opportunities for California residents
C Benefits B+
are only fair.
nThe likelihood of enrolling in college by age 19 is
2008 Grade
low, but a fairly high percentage of working-age Learning I
adults are enrolled in higher education.
nAmong young adults, 27% of Hispanics and 35%
of blacks are enrolled in college, compared with
Change Over Time
45% of whites.
AFFORDABILITY BENEFITS
Higher education has become less affordable A large proportion of residents have a
C- B+
for students and their families. bachelor’s degree, but there are substantial
nPoor and working-class families must devote 40% gaps by ethnicity.
2008 Grade 2008 Grade
of their income, even after aid, to pay for costs at nTen percent of Hispanics and 22% of blacks have a
public four-year colleges. bachelor’s degree, compared with 40% of whites.
nFinancial aid to low-income students is low. For This gap between Hispanics and whites is one of
the largest in the nation.
every dollar in Pell Grant aid to students, the state
Change Over Time Change Over Time
spends 56 cents. nIf all racial/ethnic groups had the same
educational attainment and earnings as whites,
total annual personal income in the state would
be about $170 billion higher.
COMPLETION LEARNING
California performs poorly in awarding Like all states, Californiareceives an
B- I
certificates and degrees relative to the “Incomplete” in Learning because there is
number of students enrolled, but those who not sufficient data to allow meaningful
2008 Grade do attain a bachelor’s degree do so in a 2008 Grade state-by-state comparisons.
timely manner.
nSixty-two percent of college students complete a
bachelor’s degree within six years.
Change Over Time
nHowever, only 46% of blacks and 53% of Hispanics
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 California 2008
This page reflects California’s performance and progress since the early 1990s on several key
indicators.
PREPARATION PARTICIPATION
The percentage of young adults in California College enrollment of young adults in The enrollment of working-age adults, relative
who earn a high school diploma has increased California has improved substantially since to the number of residents without a bachelor’s
substantially since the early 1990s. High school the early 1990s. The state is slightly above the degree, has declined in California—as it has
completion is below the U.S. average and well national average but below the top states in nationally and in the best-performing states. The
below the top-performing states. the percentage of young adults enrolled. percentage attending college in California is
higher than 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 9.6
43 44 8.9 8.9
90 88 39 9.3
86 40 36 35 8 7.2
85
86 86
80 78 83 30 29 33 34 6 7.2 6.9
5.7
27
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 The percentage of residents who have a
aid, needed to pay for college has risen substan- and degrees awarded in California, relative to the bachelor’s degree has increased. California is
tially. To attend public two-year colleges, students number of students enrolled, has increased since above the U.S. average but below the top states.
the early 1990s. However, California is below the
and families in California pay more than the U.S.
U.S. average and the top states on
average. To attend public four-year colleges, they
this measure.
pay the same as the national average, which is more
than those in the best-performing states pay.
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 25
30 28 28 20 21 21 29 30
25 20 30 28
2205 20 19 24 19 2120 15 14 16 18 25 27 29
15 14 15
15 13 10 20 23
10 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:
& = California & = United States & = Median of Top Five States
MEASURING UP 2008 4 www.highereducation.org
PREPARATION California 2008
California’s fairly low performance in educating its young population
C+
could limit the state’s access to a competitive workforce and
2008 Grade Change Over Time weaken its economy.
Graded Information
PREPARATION California Top
Compared with other states: States
Early 1990s* 2008
n Eighty-six percent of young
High School Completion (25%)
adults in California earn a high
school diploma or General 18- to 24-year-olds with a high school credential 78% 86% 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 29% 43% 64%
n A fairly small proportion (43%)
9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level science course 16% 25% 46%
of high school students in Cali-
8th grade students taking algebra n/a 60% 47%
fornia are enrolled in upper-level
math, and a very small propor- K-12 Student Achievement (35%)
tion (25%) are enrolled in 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
16% 24% 41%
upper-level science. assessment exam in math
n A very large proportion (60%) 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
22% 21% 39%
of 8th graders take algebra, assessment exam in reading
making California the top-per- 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
20% 18% 41%
forming state on this measure. assessment exam in science
n Eighth graders perform very 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
20% 25% 46%
poorly on national assessments assessment exam in writing
in math, reading, writing, and Low-income 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on
5% 12% 24%
science, indicating that they are the national assessment exam in math
not well prepared to succeed in Number of scores in the top 20% nationally on SAT/ACT college
98 151 265
challenging high school courses. entrance exam per 1,000 high school graduates
California is among the lowest- Number of scores that are 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement
104 205 237
performing states in science, subject test per 1,000 high school juniors and seniors
reading, and writing.
Teacher Quality (10%)
n Low-income 8th graders
7th to 12th graders taught by teachers with a major in their subject n/a 72% 83%
perform very poorly on national
assessments in math. * 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.
n Very small proportions of 11th
and 12th graders score well on
college entrance exams, but Performance Gaps Other Key Facts
large proportions score well on n There is a 13% gap between whites and all minorities n Among working-age adults (ages 25 to 49) without a
Advanced Placement tests.
in the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds with a high high school diploma, only four out of 1,000 earned a
n Seventy-two percent of second- school credential. Among the same population, 89% GED.
ary school students are taught of blacks and 75% of Hispanics, two of the largest mi- n About 18% of children under age 18 live in poverty,
by qualified teachers, which nority populations in California, have a high school
which matches the national rate.
compares well with top- credential, compared with 95% of whites.
performing states.
Change in Graded Measures
n Over the past decade, the percentage of 8th graders
performing well on national assessments in science
has decreased, showing one of the steepest declines
in the nation on this measure.
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 California 2008
C
College opportunities for California residents are only fair.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
California
PARTICIPATION Top
Compared with other states: States
Early 1990s* 2008
nThe chance of California high
Young Adults (67%)
school students enrolling in
college by age 19 is low, primarily Chance for college by age 19 35% 36% 57%
because few students graduate 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college 27% 35% 44%
from high school and enroll in
Working-Age Adults (33%)
college.
25- to 49-year-olds enrolled in any type of postsecondary
nHowever, a fairly high education with no bachelor’s degree or higher 8.9% 7.2% 8.9%
percentage of working-age adults
* The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available. See the
(ages 25 to 49) are enrolled in
Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
college-level education or
training.
Other Key Facts
Performance Gaps nCalifornia’s population is projected to grow by 23% nIn California, 5,811 more students are entering the
nThere is a 10% gap between from 2005 to 2025, above the national increase of state than leaving to attend college. About 9% of
18%. During approximately the same period, the California high school graduates who go to college
whites and all minorities in the
number of high school graduates is projected to attend college out of state.
percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds
increase by 5%.
enrolled in college. The gap
between whites and Hispanics is nAbout 20% of the adult population has less than a
18%, and the gap between whites high school diploma or its equivalent, compared with
and blacks is 10%. 16% nationwide.
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 California 2008
Higher education has become less affordable for
C-
students and their families.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
California Top States
nCompared with best-performing AFFORDABILITY
Previous Current in Previous
states, families in California Years* Year Years
devote a very large share of
Family Ability to Pay (50%) 2000 2008
family income, even after
financial aid, to attend public Percent of income (average of all income groups) needed to pay
two- and four-year colleges and for college expenses minus financial aid:
universities, which enroll 89% at community colleges 20% 25% 13%
of college students in the state.
at public 4-year colleges/universities 21% 28% 10%
nCalifornia’s investment in need- at private 4-year colleges/universities 60% 85% 30%
based financial aid is low when
Strategies for Affordability (40%) 1993 2008
compared with top-performing
State investment in need-based financial aid as compared to
states. However, the state is the 27% 56% 89%
the federal investment
top performer in offering low-
At lowest-priced colleges, the share of income that the poorest
priced college opportunities 2% 5% 7%
families need to pay for tuition
through its community colleges.
Reliance on Loans (10%) 1995 2008
nUndergraduate students
Average loan amount that undergraduate students borrow each year $3,280 $4,437 $2,619
borrowed on average $4,437
in 2007. * See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
Note: In the affordability category, the lower the figures, the better the performance for all indicators except for “State
Change in Graded investment in need-based financial aid.”
Measures
nSince the early 1990s, California
has substantially increased its
commitment to financially needy
students. Nonetheless, the share
of family income, even after
financial aid, needed to pay for
college remains very large when
compared with other states.
nDuring the same period, the
state has consistently been a top
performer in offering low-priced
college opportunities to its
residents.
Other Key Facts
nIn California, 65% of students
are enrolled in community
colleges and 23% 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 California 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 $21,767. their net cost to attend college would represent about 40% 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 38% of their Tuition, room, and board: $15,316
income annually.
Financial aid received: -$6,692
Tuition, room, and board: $10,722
Net college cost: $8,624
Financial aid received: -$2,384
Percent of income: 40%
Net college cost: $8,338
Note: The numbers shown for tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid
Percent of income: 38%
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 $12,779 $7,348 58 $7,316 57 $28,616 224
20% of the population with lower-middle income $30,789 $9,389 30 $10,175 33 $27,422 89
20% of the population with middle income $52,322 $10,276 20 $12,800 24 $28,263 54
20% of the population with upper-middle income $82,508 $10,469 13 $12,913 16 $29,192 35
20% of the population with the highest income $149,319 $10,565 7 $13,395 9 $31,090 21
40% of the population with the lowest income $21,767 $8,338 38 $8,624 40 $28,050 129
* Net college cost equals tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid.
MEASURING UP 2008 8 www.highereducation.org
COMPLETION California 2008
California performs poorly in awarding certificates and degrees
B-
relative to the number of students enrolled, but those who do attain
2008 Grade Change Over Time a bachelor’s degree do so in a timely manner.
Graded Information
California
COMPLETION Top
Compared with other states:
States
Early 1990s* 2008
nA high percentage (54%) of
first-year students in community Persistence (20%)**
colleges return for their second 1st year community college students returning their second year 45% 54% 66%
year.
Freshmen at 4-year colleges/universities returning their
81% 82% 82%
nEighty-two percent of freshmen sophomore year
at public and private four-year Completion (80%)
colleges and universities return First-time, full-time students completing a bachelor’s degree
58% 62% 65%
for their sophomore year, within 6 years of college entrance
making California one of the
Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
top-performing states on this per 100 undergraduate students 10 15 21
measure.
Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
17 27 44
nMoreover, a very high per 1,000 adults with no college degree
percentage (62%) of first-time, * The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
full-time college students
** 2008 data may not be comparable with data from previous years.
complete a bachelor’s degree
within six years of enrolling in
college. Performance Gaps Change in Graded Measures
nHowever, the proportion of nThere is a 6% gap between whites and all minorities nOver the past decade, California has consistently
students completing certificates in college graduation rates at four-year institutions. performed very well on the percentage of first-time,
and degrees, relative to the Forty-six percent of blacks and 53% of Hispanics, two full-time college students earning a bachelor’s degree
number enrolled, is fairly small. of the largest minority populations in California, within six years of enrolling in college.
nTwenty-seven postsecondary graduate from a four-year institution within six years, nSince the early 1990s, the state has seen a substantial
compared with 66% of whites.
certificates and degrees were increase in the proportion of students completing
awarded for every 1,000 people nAmong white students, 16 degrees are awarded for certificates and degrees relative to the number
in the state without a college every 100 students. In contrast, among all minority enrolled.
degree. students, 13 degrees are awarded for every 100
nDuring the same period, California has also seen a
students. The rate of awards for both blacks and
substantial increase in the number of certificates and
Hispanics, two of the largest minority populations in
degrees completed relative to the population with no
the state, is 12 for every 100 undergraduate
college degree, although California’s current
enrollments.
performance on this measure remains 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 California 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
California
BENEFITS
Compared with other states: Top States
Early 1990s* 2008
nA fairly 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 34% 38% 44%
strengthens the state economy.
Adults (ages 25 to 64) with a bachelor’s degree or higher 25% 30% 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 3% 3% 3%
degree), but not a bachelor’s degree
Performance Gaps Increase in total personal income as a result of the percentage
9% 10% 11%
nThere is an 18% gap between of population holding a bachelor’s degree
whites and minorities in the Civic Benefits (31%)
percentage of 25- to 64-year-olds Residents voting in national elections 48% 44% 65%
with a bachelor’s degree or
Of those who itemize on federal income taxes, the percentage
higher, which is one of the declaring charitable gifts 89% 86% 90%
largest gaps in the United States.
Increase in volunteering as a result of college education 14% 14% 20%
Among the same population,
Adult Skill Levels (0%)**
22% of blacks and 10% of
Hispanics, the largest minority Quantitative Literacy n/a n/a n/a
populations in California, have a Prose Literacy n/a n/a n/a
bachelor’s degree or higher,
Document Literacy n/a n/a n/a
compared with 40% of 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 $170 billion
higher.
Other Key Facts
Change in Graded nIn 2007, California scored 83 on the New Economy nPolicymakers and state residents do not have access to
Measures Index, compared with a nationwide score of 62. important information about high-level literacy skills
nSince the early 1990s, the The New Economy Index, created by the Kauffman because the state has declined to participate in 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 20%, 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