ERIC ED522453: Measuring Up 2006: The State Report Card on Higher Education. Nevada

2006·0.15 MB·English

by  ERIC

MEASURING UP
2006
THE STATE REPORT CARD
ON HIGHER EDUCATION
NEVADA
WHAT IS MEASURING UP?
The purpose of this state report card is to provide the general public This year, however, nine states (Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland,
and policymakers with information they can use to assess and Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, and South
improve postsecondary education in each state. Measuring Up Carolina) receive a “Plus.” For more information on these states
2006is the fourth in a series of biennial report cards. and the Learning category, see page 12 of this state report card.
Measuring Up 2006evaluates states on their performance in In four of the performance categories—Preparation, Participation,
higher education because it is the states that are primarily responsi- Completion, and Benefits—grades are calculated by comparing
ble for educational access and quality in the United States. In this each state’s current performance to that of the best-performing
report card, “higher education” refers to all education and training states. This comparison provides a basis for evaluating each state’s
beyond high school, including all public and private, two- and performance within a national context and encourages each state
four-year, for-profit and nonprofit institutions. to “measure up” to the highest-performing states.
The report card grades states in six overall performance categories: In the Affordability category, however, the United States as a whole
is “measuring down.” That is, even in the best-performing states,
(cid:2)Preparation:How adequately does the state prepare
higher education has become lessrather than moreaffordable
students for education and training beyond high school?
when the costs of attending college are considered relative to family
(cid:2) Participation:Do state residents have sufficient opportu- income. As a result, state grades in the Affordability category are
nities to enroll in education and training beyond high school? calculated by comparing each state’s current performance with the
performance of the best states in the early 1990s. This comparison
(cid:2)Affordability:How affordable is higher education for
allows policymakers to examine their state’s results relative to other
students and their families?
states, while also encouraging improved performance over time.
(cid:2)Completion:Do students make progress toward and The Affordability category is the only one in which no state receives
complete their certificates or degrees in a timely manner? an A—the highest grade is a C–.
(cid:2) Benefits:What benefits does the state receive from having Measuring Up 2006also compares each state’s current perform-
a highly educated population? ance with its own performance in the early 1990s. Although this
historical comparison is not graded, it is offered so that states can
(cid:2) Learning:What is known about student learning as a
examine their trends in performance—both improvements and
result of education and training beyond high school?
declines—over time. All data are drawn from reliable national
Each state receives a letter grade in each performance category. sources. (For more information, please see the Technical Guide for
Each grade is based on the state’s performance on several indica- Measuring Up 2006at www.highereducation.org.)
tors, or quantitative measures, in that category.
Measuring Up 2006is the first edition that offers international
Measuring Up 2006is the first edition that includes data in the comparisons that provide essential information on how well the
Learning category for all 50 states on the extent to which colleges United States and each of the 50 states are preparing residents with
and universities prepare students to contribute to the workforce. the knowledge and skills necessary to compete effectively in a global
economy. Every state is compared with nations associated with the
As in Measuring Up 2004, most states in 2006 receive an
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
“Incomplete” in Learning due to the lack of reported information.
A Snapshot of Change Over Time
Academic preparation for college has continued to improve since Participation:8 states improved on more than half of the indica-
the early 1990s, which is approximately when the most reliable tors; 28 improved on some of the indicators; 14 declined on most or
data became available for meaningful comparisons. High school all of the indicators.
graduates are, in general, better prepared for college today than
Affordability:1 state improved on more than half of the indica-
their peers were about a decade ago, as indicated by a greater
tors; 32 improved on some of the indicators; 17 declined on most or
proportion of high school students enrolled in a college-preparatory
all of the indicators.
curriculum and scoring higher on national assessment examina-
tions. Most states, however, and the United States as a whole, Completion:35 states improved on more than half of the indica-
continue to show little progress in translating these gains into tors; 13 improved on some of the indicators; 2 declined on most or
improvements at the college level. all of the indicators.
Preparation:45 states improved on more than half of the Benefits:40 states improved on more than half of the indicators;
indicators; 5 improved on some of the indicators. 8 improved on some of the indicators; 2 declined on most or all of
the indicators.
Measuring Up 2006 2
NEVADA
Nevada’s underperformance in educating its young population (cid:2)A gap remains between whites and Hispanics in the proportion of
could limit the state’s access to a competitive workforce and weaken students completing certificates and degrees relative to the number
its economy over time. As the well-educated baby boomer genera- enrolled, although Nevada has narrowed this gap over the past
tion begins to retire, the diverse young population that will replace decade.
it does not appear prepared educationally to maintain or enhance
the state’s position in a global economy. Despite substantial
improvement, Nevada continues to trail all states in the proportion
of 9th graders enrolling in college by age 19. Of those students
who do attend college, a very small proportion earn a certificate or
degree. Since the early 1990s, colleges and universities in Nevada
have become less affordable for students and their families. If
Nevada’s trends are not addressed, they could undermine the state’s
–
C
ability to develop an educated workforce.
Strengths C
Participation
F
(cid:2)A large percentage of working-age adults are enrolled part-time
in college-level education or training. However, this percentage has
F
decreased over the past decade, dropping more than the nationwide
decline. –
C
+
Completion
(cid:2)A large percentage of first-year students at two- and four-year
colleges and universities return for their second year. Over the past
15 years, Nevada has shown some of the greatest improvement
among the states on the measure for four-year colleges.
Change in
Nevada
Since 1992
Preparation Participation Affordability Completion Benefits Learning
What do the arrows mean?
The state has improved on more than half of the indicators in the category.
The state has improved on some, but no more than half, of the indicators in the category.
The state has declined on most or all indicators.
3 www.highereducation.org
NEVADA
Weaknesses Completion
(cid:2)A very small proportion of first-time, full-time college students
Preparation
complete a bachelor’s degree within six years of entering college.
(cid:2)The state’s 8th graders are not well prepared to succeed in chal-
Over the past seven years, Nevada has shown some of the greatest
lenging high school courses. They perform very poorly on national
decline among the states on this measure.
assessments in math, science, reading, and writing.
(cid:2)A very small proportion of students complete certificates and
(cid:2)Only a fair proportion of Nevada 8th graders take algebra,
degrees relative to the number enrolled, even though Nevada has
despite the fact that this proportion has more than tripled over the
shown some of the greatest improvement among the states on this
past 12 years—one of the steepest increases in the country.
measure over the past 12 years.
(cid:2)Only fair proportions of high school students enroll in upper-
(cid:2)When compared internationally, Nevada ranks very low in the
level math and science courses, even though these proportions
number of certificates and degrees produced relative to the number
have increased substantially over the past 12 years, making Nevada
of students enrolled—behind such low-performing nations as the
a top-performing state in improvement on these measures.
Czech Republic, Hungary, and Mexico.
(cid:2)Very small proportions of 11th and 12th graders take and score
Benefits
well on Advanced Placement tests and college entrance exams.
Over the past 12 years, the proportions of 11th and 12th graders (cid:2)A small proportion of residents have a bachelor’s degree, and this
taking and scoring well on college entrance exams have decreased substantially weakens the state economy.
substantially. Nevada is the only state to decline on this measure.
(cid:2)Over the past 12 years, the gap has widened between whites and
(cid:2)Among young adults (ages 18-24) non-whites are only two- non-whites in the percentage who have a bachelor’s degree.
thirds as likely as whites to earn a high school credential.
(cid:2)Hispanics in the 9th to 12th grades are one-half as likely as
whites to enroll in upper-level math and science courses.
Participation
(cid:2)Ninth graders are not very likely to enroll in college within four
years, primarily because proportionately few graduates go directly
on to college after high school.
(cid:2)Among young adults (ages 18-24), whites are twice as likely as
non-whites to be enrolled in college. In addition, young adults
from high-income families are more than twice as likely as those
from low-income families to attend college.
Affordability
(cid:2)Net college costs for low- and middle-income students to attend
public two- and four-year colleges represent about 40% of their
annual family income. (Net college costs equal tuition, room, and
board after financial aid.) These two sectors enroll 92% of college
students in the state.
Measuring Up 2006 4
PREPARATION 2006 Nevada
2006 Change
Grade Over Time
Despite improvement, Nevada’s performance in preparing students to
C– succeed in college remains low when compared with other states. This
year Nevada receives a C– in preparation.
Graded Information
NEVADA
Top
Compared with other states: PREPARATION
States
(cid:2)Nevada is among the poorest-
1992* 2006 2006
performing states in the percentage of
young adults earning a high school
High School Completion (20%)
diploma or General Education
Development (GED) diploma by age 24. 18- to 24-year-olds with a high school credential 82% 81%† 94%
K–12 Course Taking (35%)
(cid:2)Fair proportions of high school
9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level
students in Nevada are enrolled in upper- 29% 49% 64%
math course
level math (49%) and upper-level science
9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level
(31%). 22% 31% 40%
science course
8th grade students taking algebra 7% 26% 35%
(cid:2)A fair proportion (26%) of 8th graders
12th graders taking at least one upper-level
take algebra. n/a n/a 66%
math course
(cid:2)Eighth graders perform very poorly on K–12 Student Achievement (35%)
national assessments in math, science, 8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on
reading, and writing, indicating that the national assessment exam:
they are not well prepared to succeed in in math n/a 21% 38%
challenging high school courses. in reading 24% 22% 38%
in science n/a 19% 41%
(cid:2)Low-income 8th graders perform very
in writing 17% 16% 41%
poorly on national assessments in math.
Low-income 8th graders scoring at or above
“proficient” on the national assessment exam n/a 10% 22%
(cid:2)Very small proportions of 11th and in math
12th graders score well on Advanced
Number of scores in the top 20% nationally on
Placement tests and college entrance SAT/ACT college entrance exam per 1,000 high 132 122 237
exams. school graduates
Number of scores that are 3 or higher on an
(cid:2)Sixty-one percent of secondary school Advanced Placement subject test per 1,000 high 49 113 217
students are taught by qualified teachers, school juniors and seniors
which is only fair compared with top-
Teacher Quality (10%)
performing states.
7th to 12th graders taught by teachers with
52% 61% 81%
a major in their subject
*The indicators report data beginning in 1992 or the closest year for which reliable data are available. See the
Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2006.
†Seventy-six percent of 18-24-year-olds have a regular high school diploma; 5% have a GED. The numbers shown
for a regular high school diploma and a GED may not exactly equal the number for a high school credential due to
rounding.
5 www.highereducation.org
PREPARATION 2006 Nevada
Change in Graded Measures Other Key Facts
(cid:2)Over the past 12 years, the proportion (cid:2)Young adults from minority ethnic groups
of high school students enrolled in upper- are two-thirds as likely as whites to earn a
level math has increased by 68%, placing high school credential.
Nevada among the fastest-improving
states on this measure. However, relative (cid:2)Hispanics in the 9th to 12th grades are
to other states, its current performance on one-half as likely as whites to enroll in
this measure is only fair. upper-level math and science.
(cid:2)While the proportion of high school (cid:2)About 19% of children under age 18
students enrolled in upper-level science live in poverty, compared with a national
has increased substantially during the rate of 18%.
same period, the state’s current perform-
ance on this measure is only fair when (cid:2)Policymakers and state residents do
compared with other states. not have access to important information
about 12th graders taking upper-level math
(cid:2)The proportion of 8th graders taking because the state did not report the data by
algebra has more than tripled over the grade level.
past 12 years, placing Nevada among the
fastest-improving states on this measure.
However, the state’s current performance
on this measure is only fair compared
with other states.
(cid:2)Over the past 12 years, the proportions
of 11th and 12th graders taking and
scoring well on college entrance exams
have decreased substantially. Nevada is
the only state to decline 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 2006 6
PARTICIPATION 2006 Nevada
2006 Change
Grade Over Time
Nevada has made no notable progress in enrolling students in higher
C education. This year Nevada receives a C in participation.
Graded Information
NEVADA Top
Compared with other states: PARTICIPATION
States
(cid:2)The chance of Nevada high school
1992* 2006 2006
students enrolling in college by age 19 is
very low, because few graduates go on to
Young Adults (60%)
college immediately after high school.
Chance for college by age 19 23% 28% 53%
(cid:2)However, a large percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college 29% 28% 41%
working-age adults (ages 25 to 49)
Working-Age Adults (40%)
are enrolled part-time in college-level
25- to 49-year-olds enrolled part-time in any type
education or training.
of postsecondary education 5.4% 4.3% 5.1%
Change in Graded Measures
*The indicators report data beginning in 1992 or the closest year for which reliable data are available. See the
Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2006.
Over the past decade:
(cid:2)The chance of enrolling in college
Other Key Facts (cid:2)About 14% of the adult population has
by age 19 has increased by 19%—the
less than a high school diploma or its
steepest increase among the states on this (cid:2)Among the young adult population (ages
equivalent, a rate that matches that of the
measure. Although the percentage of 18 to 24), the gap in college participation
nation as a whole.
students graduating from high school between whites and other ethnic groups is
within four years remains about the substantial. White young adults are twice as
(cid:2)In Nevada, 337 more students are leaving
same, more of those who graduate enroll likely as young adults from other ethnic
the state than are entering to attend college.
in college. Nonetheless, Nevada’s current groups to attend college.
About 16% of Nevada high school graduates
performance on this measure remains
who go to college attend college out of state.
very low relative to other states. (cid:2)Young adults (ages 18 to 24) from high-
income families are more than twice as
(cid:2)The percentage of working-age adults likely as those from low-income families to
who are enrolled part-time in education attend college.
or training beyond high school has
declined by 21%, compared with a (cid:2)The state’s population is projected to
nationwide decline of 12%. grow by 47% from 2005 to 2020, far faster
than the national rate of 14%. During
approximately the same period, the number
of high school graduates is projected to
more than double.
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.
7 www.highereducation.org
AFFORDABILITY 2006 Nevada
2006 Change
Grade Over Time
The affordability of higher education in Nevada has declined. This year
F Nevada is one of many states to receive an F in affordability.
Graded Information
NEVADA
Top States
(cid:2) Compared with best-performing AFFORDABILITY
In Early
states, families in Nevada devote a very
1992* 2006 1990s
large share of family income, even after
financial aid, to attend public two- and
Family Ability to Pay (50%)
four-year colleges and universities, which
enroll 92% of college students in the Percent of income (average of all income groups)
needed to pay for college expenses minus
state.
financial aid:
at community colleges 25% 27% 15%
(cid:2) The state makes little investment in
need-based financial aid, and Nevada at public 4-year colleges/universities 27% 28% 16%
does not offer low-priced college at private 4-year colleges/universities 36% 55% 32%
opportunities.
Strategies for Affordability (40%)
State investment in need-based financial aid as
(cid:2)Undergraduate students borrowed on 2% 24% 89%
compared to the federal investment
average $3,671 in 2005.
At lowest-priced colleges, the share of income
8% 11% 7%
that the poorest families need to pay for tuition
Other Key Facts
Reliance on Loans (10%)
(cid:2)In Nevada, 17% of students are
Average loan amount that undergraduate students
enrolled in community colleges and
$2,857 $3,671 $2,619
borrow each year
75% in public four-year colleges and
universities.
*The indicators report data beginning in 1992 or the closest year for which reliable data are available. See the
Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2006.
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.”
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 2006 8
AFFORDABILITY 2006 Nevada
Financial Burden to Pay for College Varies Widely Among Different Income Families in the State
Community Public 4-year Private 4-year
colleges colleges/universities colleges/universities
A CLOSER LOOK AT
Average Percent Percent Percent
family of income of income of income
FAMILY ABILITY TO PAY Net Net Net
income needed to needed to needed to
college college college
pay net pay net pay net
cost* cost* cost*
college college college
cost cost cost
Income groups used to calculate 2006 family
ability to pay
20% of the population with the lowest income $15,000 $8,868 59% $9,179 61% $18,916 126%
20% of the population with lower-middle income $29,000 $9,192 32% $9,653 33% $18,858 65%
20% of the population with middle income $46,000 $9,464 21% $10,193 22% $18,743 41%
20% of the population with upper-middle income $69,201 $9,539 14% $10,242 15% $18,691 27%
20% of the population with the highest income $117,200 $9,555 8% $10,275 9% $18,782 16%
40% of the population with the lowest income $22,000 $9,030 41% $9,416 43% $18,887 86%
*Net college cost equals tuition, room, and board, minus financial aid.
Those who are striving to reach or stay in the middle class—the (cid:2)If the same student were to attend a public four-year college in
40% of the population with the lowest incomes—earn on average the state, their net cost to attend college would represent about 43%
$22,000 each year. of their income annually:
(cid:2)If a student from such a family were to attend a community col- Tuition, room, and board: $10,670
lege in the state, their net cost to attend college would
Financial aid received: –$ 1,254
represent about 41% of their income annually:
Net college cost: $9,416
Tuition, room, and board: $9,587
Percent of income: 43%
Financial aid received: –$ 557
Net college cost: $9,030 Note
The numbers shown for tuition, room, and board minus financial
Percent of income: 41%
aid may not exactly equal net college cost due to rounding.
9 www.highereducation.org
COMPLETION 2006 Nevada
2006 Change
Grade Over Time
Despite improvement, Nevada’s performance in the proportion of students
F earning a certificate or degree in a timely manner remains very poor when
compared with other states. Nevada is one of only two states to receive an
F in completion this year.
Graded Information
NEVADA
Top
Compared with other states:
COMPLETION
(cid:2)Large percentages of first-year students States
in community colleges and four-year 1992* 2006 2006
colleges and universities return for
their second year. Persistence (20%)†
1st year community college students returning
n/a 52% 62%
(cid:2)However, among first-time, full-time their second year
college students, a very small percentage Freshmen at 4-year colleges/universities
(36%) complete a bachelor’s degree returning their sophomore year 60% 69% 82%
within six years of entering college.
Completion (80%)
First-time, full-time students completing a
(cid:2)Also, a very small proportion of
bachelor’s degree within 6 years of college 38% 36% 64%
students complete certificates and
entrance
degrees relative to the number enrolled.
Certificates, degrees, and diplomas awarded
at all colleges and universities per 100 7 10 20
Change in Graded Measures
undergraduate students
(cid:2)Over the past 15 years, Nevada has
*The indicators report data beginning in 1992 or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
been among the fastest-improving states
†2006 data may not be entirely comparable with data from previous years.
in the percentage of first-year students
See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2006.
at four-year colleges and universities
returning for their second year.
(cid:2)Over the past 12 years, Nevada has been Other Key Facts
one of the fastest-improving states in the
(cid:2)Over the past decade, Nevada has
(cid:2)However, Nevada has been among
proportion of students completing certifi-
narrowed the gap between whites and
the fastest-declining states over the past
cates and degrees relative to the number
Hispanics in the proportion of students
seven years in the percentage of first-
enrolled. Nonetheless, Nevada’s current per-
completing certificates and degrees relative
time, full-time college students earning
formance on this measure remains very low
to the number enrolled. Currently, 10 out
a bachelor’s degree within six years
when compared with other states.
of 100 white students enrolled complete
of enrolling in college. In addition,
degrees and certificates, compared to 8 out
Nevada’s current performance on this
of 100 Hispanic students.
measure is 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 2006 10