ERIC ED503609: Measuring Up 2008: The State Report Card on Higher Education. South Carolina

2008·1 MB·English

by  ERIC

MEASURING UP
2008
THE STATE REPORT CARD
ON HIGHER EDUCATION
South Carolina
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
South Carolina
PREPARATION
South Carolina’s fairly low performance in REPORT CARD
C+
educating its young population could limit
the state’s access to a competitive work-
2008 Grade force and weaken its economy.
Preparation C+
nDespite improvement over the decade, the
performance of 8th graders in math, science, and
writing remains poor. Participation D-
Change Over Time
nOnly 83% of blacks have a high school credential,
compared with 90% of whites.
Affordability F
Completion C+
PARTICIPATION
College opportunities for young and working-
D- Benefits C
age adults are poor.
nThe likelihood of enrolling in college by age 19 is
2008 Grade
low, primarily because the state has one of the Learning I
lowest high school graduation rates in the country.
nTwenty-nine percent of black young adults are
enrolled in college, compared with 40% of whites.
Change Over Time
AFFORDABILITY BENEFITS
Higher education has become less affordable A small proportion of residents have a
F C
for students and their families. bachelor’s degree, and this weakens the
nPoor and working-class families must devote 34% state economy.
2008 Grade 2008 Grade
of their income, even after aid, to pay for costs at nEleven percent of blacks have a bachelor’s degree,
public four-year colleges. compared with 29% of whites.
nFinancial aid to low-income students is low. For nIf all racial/ethnic groups had the same educa-
every dollar in Pell Grant aid to students, the state tional attainment and earnings as whites, total
Change Over Time Change Over Time
spends only 36 cents. annual personal income in the state would be
about $10 billion higher.
COMPLETION LEARNING
South Carolina performs fairly well in Like all states, South Carolina receives an
C+ I
awarding certificates and degrees. “Incomplete” in Learning because there is
nFifty-six percent of college students complete a not sufficient data to allow meaningful state-
2008 Grade 2008 Grade by-state comparisons.
bachelor’s degree within six years.
nHowever, only 44% of blacks graduate within six
years, compared with 61% of whites.
Change Over Time
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 South Carolina 2008
This page reflects South Carolina’s performance and progress since the early 1990s on several
key indicators.
PREPARATION PARTICIPATION
The percentage of young adults in South College enrollment of young adults in South The enrollment of working-age adults, relative to
Carolina who earn a high school diploma has Carolina has improved substantially since the the number of residents without a bachelor’s
increased slightly since the early 1990s. High early 1990s. The state is slightly below the degree, has declined in South Carolina—as it has
school completion is below the U.S. average and national average and well below the top states in nationally and in the best-performing states. The
well below the top-performing states. the percentage of young adults enrolled. percentage attending college in South Carolina 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
95 94 94 95 50 10 9.3 8.9
43 44
90 88 39 8 7.2 6.9
86 86 40
85 33 34 6 5.7
85 85 86 29
80 30 30 32 4 5.0 4.8
3.9
26
75 20 2
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
aid, needed to pay for college has risen substan- degrees awarded in South Carolina, relative to bachelor’s degree has increased in South
tially. To attend public two- and four-year colleges the number of students enrolled, has increased Carolina, but remains well below the U.S.
in South Carolina, students and families pay less since the early 1990s. South Carolina performs at average and the top states.
than the U.S. average but more than those in the the U.S. average but is below the top states on
best-performing states. this measure.
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 20 21 21 29 29
25 24 25 20 17 17 18 30 27
20 18 19 21 19 17 20 15 16 18 23
15 14 24
15 13 10 20 22
10
10
5 18
5
0 1999-2000 2007-2008 1999-2000 2007-2008 0 1992 2000 2007 10 1990 2000 2006
*Key indicator for the category.
LEGEND:
& = South Carolina & = United States & = Median of Top Five States
MEASURING UP 2008 4 www.highereducation.org
PREPARATION South Carolina 2008
South Carolina’s fairly low performance in educating its young
C+
population could limit the state’s access to a competitive workforce
2008 Grade Change Over Time and weaken its economy.
Graded Information
PREPARATION South Carolina Top
Compared with other states:
States
nEighty-six percent of young Early 1990s* 2008
adults in South Carolina earn a High School Completion (25%)
high school diploma or General
18- to 24-year-olds with a high school credential 85% 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 36% 54% 64%
nA large proportion (54%) of high
9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level science course 21% 36% 46%
school students in South Carolina
8th grade students taking algebra n/a 34% 47%
are enrolled in upper-level math,
K-12 Student Achievement (35%)
but only a fair proportion (36%)
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
are enrolled in upper-level science. 15% 32% 41%
assessment exam in math
nA fairly small proportion (34%) 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
22% 25% 39%
of 8th graders take algebra. assessment exam in reading
nThe performance of 8th graders is 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national
17% 23% 41%
assessment exam in science
only fair on national assessments
in math and poor on national as- 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on the national 15% 23% 46%
assessment exam in writing
sessments in reading. Their per-
Low-income 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on
formance on national assessments 5% 18% 24%
the national assessment exam in math
in science and writing is very poor,
Number of scores in the top 20% nationally on SAT/ACT
indicating that they are not well 67 152 265
college entrance exam per 1,000 high school graduates
prepared to succeed in challeng-
Number of scores that are 3 or higher on an Advanced
ing high school courses. South 82 147 237
Placement subject test per 1,000 high school juniors and seniors
Carolina is among the lowest-per-
Teacher Quality (10%)
forming states in writing.
7th to 12th graders taught by teachers with a major in their subject n/a 73% 83%
nThe performance of low-income
*The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
8th graders on national assess-
See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
ments in math is only fair.
nSmall proportions of 11th and Change in Graded Measures tially over the past decade, although the state’s cur-
12th graders score well on Ad- nOver the past 15 years, the proportion of high school rent performance on this measure remains very poor
vanced Placement tests, and very students enrolled in upper-level science has increased when compared with other states.
small proportions score well on substantially (by 71%), although the state’s current nDuring the same period, the percentage of low-in-
college entrance exams. performance remains only fair when compared with come 8th graders performing well on national assess-
nSeventy-three percent of secondary other states. ments in math has more than tripled, although South
school students are taught by quali- nDuring the same period, the percentage of 8th Carolina’s current performance on this measure re-
fied teachers, which compares well graders performing well on national assessments in mains only fair when compared with other states.
with top-performing states. math has more than doubled, although the state’s nOver the past 15 years, the proportions of 11th and
Performance Gaps current performance on this measure remains only 12th graders scoring well on college entrance exams
nThere is a 9% gap between fair when compared with other states. have increased substantially, although the state’s cur-
whites and all minorities in the nOver the past decade, South Carolina has improved more rent performance on this measure remains very poor
percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds than many other states in terms of the percentage of 8th when compared with other states.
with a high school credential. graders performing well on national assessments in sci- Other Key Facts
Among the same population, ence. Despite the state’s improvement on this measure nAmong working-age adults (ages 25 to 49) without a high
83% of blacks, the largest minor- over time, South Carolina’s current performance remains
school diploma, only seven out of 1,000 earned a GED.
ity population in South Carolina, very poor when compared with other states.
have a high school credential, nThe percentage of 8th graders performing well on nAbout 22% of children under age 18 live in poverty,
compared with 90% of whites. national assessments in writing has increased substan- compared with a national rate of 18%.
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 South Carolina 2008
D-
College opportunities for young and working-age adults are poor.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
South Carolina
PARTICIPATION Top
Compared with other states: States
Early 1990s* 2008
nThe chance of South Carolina
Young Adults (67%)
high school students enrolling in
college by age 19 is low, primarily Chance for college by age 19 25% 36% 57%
because the proportion of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college 26% 32% 44%
students who graduate from high
Working-Age Adults (33%)
school within four years is small.
25- to 49-year-olds enrolled in any type of postsecondary
The proportion of students 5.0% 3.9% 8.9%
education with no bachelor’s degree or higher
graduating from high school
within four years is one of the *The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
smallest in the country. See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
nA very low percentage of
working-age adults (ages 25 to
Change in Graded Measures Other Key Facts
49) are enrolled in college-level
education or training. nSince the early 1990s, the chance of enrolling in nSouth Carolina’s population is projected to grow by 18%
college by age 19 has increased by 43%, the steepest from 2005 to 2025, which matches the national increase.
increase among the states on this measure. This During approximately the same period, the number of
Performance Gaps
increase is primarily due to an increase in the high school graduates is projected to increase by 6%.
nThere is a 12% gap between number of students who go on to college
nAbout 19% of the adult population has less than a
whites and all minorities in the immediately after high school.
high school diploma or its equivalent, compared with
percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds
16% nationwide.
enrolled in college. The gap
between whites and blacks is 11%. nIn South Carolina, 3,922 more students are entering
the state than leaving to attend college. About 11% of
South Carolina 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 South Carolina 2008
F Higher education has become less affordable for students
and their families.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
South Carolina Top States
nCompared with best-performing AFFORDABILITY Previous Current in Previous
states, families in South Carolina Years* Year Years
devote a large share of family
Family Ability to Pay (50%) 2000 2008
income, even after financial aid,
Percent of income (average of all income groups) needed to
to attend public two-year colleges,
pay for college expenses minus financial aid:
and they devote a very large
share of family income to attend at community colleges 18% 21% 13%
public four-year colleges and at public 4-year colleges/universities 17% 25% 10%
universities in the state. These
at private 4-year colleges/universities 39% 50% 30%
two sectors enroll 84% of college
Strategies for Affordability (40%) 1993 2008
students in South Carolina.
State investment in need-based financial aid as compared to
nThe state’s investment in need- the federal investment 24% 36% 89%
based financial aid is very low
At lowest-priced colleges, the share of income that the
when compared with top- poorest families need to pay for tuition 15% 32% 7%
performing states, and South
Reliance on Loans (10%) 1995 2008
Carolina does not offer low-
priced college opportunities. Average loan amount that undergraduate students borrow each year $2,874 $4,806 $2,619
nUndergraduate students borrowed *See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
on average $4,806 in 2007. 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.”
Change in Graded
Measures
nSince the early 1990s, the state
has increased its commitment to
financially needy students.
Nonetheless, the share of family
income, even after financial aid,
needed to pay for college
remains large when compared
with other states.
Other Key Facts
nIn South Carolina, 43% of students
are enrolled in community colleges
and 41% 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 South Carolina 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 $16,401. their net cost to attend college would represent about 34% 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 29% of their Tuition, room, and board: $15,126
income annually.
Financial aid received: -$9,510
Tuition, room, and board: $9,929
Net college cost: $5,616
Financial aid received: -$5,098
Percent of income: 34%
Net college cost: $4,831
Note: The numbers shown for tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid
Percent of income: 29% 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 $10,062 $3,073 31 $3,535 35 $12,234 122
20% of the population with lower-middle income $24,048 $6,769 28 $7,492 31 $11,651 48
20% of the population with middle income $39,788 $8,591 22 $11,348 29 $14,402 36
20% of the population with upper-middle income $61,378 $9,000 15 $11,906 19 $16,399 27
20% of the population with the highest income $106,395 $9,340 9 $12,568 12 $18,445 17
40% of the population with the lowest income $16,401 $4,831 29 $5,616 34 $11,413 70
*Net college cost equals tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid.
MEASURING UP 2008 8 www.highereducation.org
COMPLETION South Carolina 2008
C+ South Carolina performs fairly well in awarding certificates
and degrees.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
South Carolina
COMPLETION Top
Compared with other states:
States
Early 1990s* 2008
nA fairly low percentage (48%) of
first-year students in community Persistence (20%)**
colleges return for their 1st year community college students returning their second year 61% 48% 66%
second year.
Freshmen at 4-year colleges/universities returning their
78% 75% 82%
nHowever, a very high percentage sophomore year
(75%) of freshmen at four-year Completion (80%)
colleges and universities return First-time, full-time students completing a bachelor’s degree
54% 56% 65%
for their sophomore year. within 6 years of college entrance
nAmong first-time, full-time Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
17 18 21
per 100 undergraduate students
college students, a high
percentage (56%) complete a Certificates, degrees, diplomas at all colleges & universities
17 25 44
bachelor’s degree within six per 1,000 adults with no college degree
years of entering college. *The indicators report data beginning in the early 1990s or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
nAlso, a large proportion of **2008 data may not be comparable with data from previous years. See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2008.
students complete certificates
and degrees relative to the
Performance Gaps Change in Graded Measures
number enrolled.
nTwenty-five postsecondary nThere is a 16% gap between whites and all minorities in nSince the early 1990s, South Carolina has seen a
college graduation rates at four-year institutions. Forty- substantial increase in the number of certificates and
certificates and degrees were
four percent of blacks, the largest minority population degrees completed relative to the population with no
awarded for every 1,000 people in
in South Carolina, graduate from a four-year institution college degree. Nevertheless, the state’s current
the state without a college degree.
within six years, compared with 61% of whites. performance on this measure remains very low when
compared with other states.
nAmong white students, 19 degrees are awarded for
every 100 students. In contrast, among all minority
students, 16 degrees are awarded for every 100
students. The rate of awards for blacks, the largest
minority population in the state, is also 16 for every
100 undergraduate enrollments.
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 South Carolina 2008
C A small proportion of residents have a bachelor’s degree, and this
weakens the state economy.
2008 Grade Change Over Time
Graded Information
South Carolina
BENEFITS
Compared with other states: Top States
Early 1990s* 2008
nA small proportion of residents
have a bachelor’s degree, and Educational Achievement (38%)
this substantially weakens the Adults (ages 25 to 64) with an associate’s degree or higher 25% 33% 44%
state economy.
Adults (ages 25 to 64) with a bachelor’s degree or higher 18% 24% 37%
nHowever, 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 degree), 3% 2% 3%
volunteerism, and voting. but not a bachelor’s degree
Increase in total personal income as a result of the percentage
9% 6% 11%
Performance Gaps of population holding a bachelor’s degree
nThere is a 16% gap between Civic Benefits (31%)
whites and minorities in the Residents voting in national elections 51% 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 91% 89% 90%
higher which is one of the largest
Increase in volunteering as a result of college education 19% 17% 20%
gaps in the United States.
Adult Skill Levels (0%)**
Among the same population,
11% of blacks, the largest Quantitative Literacy n/a n/a n/a
minority population in South Prose Literacy n/a n/a n/a
Carolina, have a bachelor’s
Document Literacy n/a n/a n/a
degree or higher, compared with
29% 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 $10 billion higher.
Change in Graded Measures Other Key Facts
Since the early 1990s: nIn 2007, South Carolina scored 52 on the New
nThe percentage of residents who have a bachelor’s Economy Index, compared with a nationwide score
of 62. The New Economy Index, created by the
degree has increased substantially, although the state’s
Kauffman Foundation, measures the extent to which
current performance on this measure remains poor
a state is participating in knowledge-based industries.
when compared with other states.
A higher score means increased participation.
nThe percentage of South Carolina residents who vote
nPolicymakers and state residents do not have access to
has increased slightly, in contrast to a nationwide
important information about high-level literacy skills
decrease of 4%.
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