This month, the U.S. Department of Education released two reports that raise important concerns as we think about the goal of preparing all students for college and career.

One report presents findings from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) fall 2010 data collection and examines the price of postsecondary attendance.[1] The report notes a substantial increase over the past decade in average tuition and required fees; for…

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The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently dispersed $6.6 million to twelve districts and states across the country. The funds will aid the access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses for low-income high school students. Winners can use the funds to support AP coursework in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), including teacher training, course development, books and supplies, and development/participation in online AP courses.[1] Funds were awarded to…

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Looking for new high school-related resources?  Here are some pieces that other organizations have recently released:*

From GED to College Degree: Creating Pathways to Postsecondary Success for High School Dropouts
This white paper shares lessons from “best in class” GED to College programs that show early, positive results in preparing youth for college and helping them persist once there. It also explores key issues connected to the growth of this…

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We have some good news and some bad news.

The good news: The recently released U.S. Department of Education NAEP high school transcript study noted that the number of advanced courses (Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, etc.) students take in high school has tripled over the past two decades.

The bad news: The New York Times reported that despite the increase in advanced course-taking, students have not been…

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Three years ago this month, the Consortium on Chicago School Research (a partner organization of the National High School Center) released a report that identified a relatively simple approach to increasing college-going rates among Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high school graduates. In From High School to the Future: Potholes on the Road to College, Consortium researchers found that CPS graduates who aspired to complete a four-year degree did…

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Today, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released a very interesting and timely report on postsecondary education. Among figures on postsecondary enrollment and graduation, the NCES report includes a section on financing postsecondary education—a topic of enduring interest, but particularly so in times of economic challenge and as a new class of high school seniors enter the final stretch of their secondary education.

 According to the report:

• During

…

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The U.S. Department of Education just released a report examining postsecondary degree attainment among a nationally representative sample of students who began postsecondary education for the first time in the 2003-04 academic year.

• About 30 percent had earned a BA degree.
• Nearly 20 percent had earned a certificate or an AA degree.
• One-third left without earning a credential of any kind.
• Fifteen percent remained enrolled but

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