ERIC ED522491: Measuring Up 2006: The State Report Card on Higher Education. Arkansas

2006·0.17 MB·English

by  ERIC

MEASURING UP
2006
THE STATE REPORT CARD
ON HIGHER EDUCATION
ARKANSAS
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
ARKANSAS
Arkansas’ underperformance in educating its young population (cid:2)A substantial gap remains between whites and blacks in the
could limit the state’s access to a competitive workforce and weaken proportion of students completing certificates and degrees relative
its economy over time. The proportion of 9th graders graduating in to the number enrolled, even though Arkansas has narrowed this
four years has declined since the early 1990s. Moreover, relatively gap over the past decade.
few students who do graduate are adequately prepared to succeed
in college compared with leading states. In addition, Arkansas
trails other states in providing college-level education and training
opportunities for working-age adults. Since the early 1990s, four-
year colleges and universities in Arkansas have become less
affordable for students and their families. If these trends are not
addressed, they could undermine the state’s ability to compete
successfully in a global economy.
Strengths
Preparation D +
(cid:2)Arkansas compares well with leading states in the percentage
of secondary school students taught by teachers with an under- C
graduate or graduate major in the subject they are teaching.
F
Participation
(cid:2)Over the past decade, the chance that a 9th grader will enroll C
in college within four years has increased substantially. While
proportionately fewer students graduate from high school, more C
of those who do graduate enroll in college.
I
Completion
(cid:2) Large percentages of first-year students at two- and four-year
colleges return for their second year. Over the past 15 years, the
state has improved on these measures.
Change in ?
Arkansas
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
ARKANSAS
Weaknesses (cid:2)About 21% of adults do not have a high school diploma or its
equivalent (compared with 14% of adults nationwide), reducing
Preparation
their likelihood of participating or succeeding in higher education.
(cid:2)A very low proportion of 8th graders take algebra. However, this
proportion has increased substantially over the past 12 years.
(cid:2)Among 18- to 24-year-olds, the gap in college participation
between whites and non-whites is substantial.
(cid:2)The performance of 8th graders on national assessments in
math, science, and writing is very poor, but has improved over the
Affordability
past several years.
(cid:2)Net college costs for low- and middle-income students to attend
public four-year colleges and universities represent nearly 36% of
(cid:2)Very small proportions of 11th and 12th graders take and score
their annual family income. (Net college costs equal tuition, room,
well on Advanced Placement tests. However, these proportions have
and board after financial aid.) These institutions enroll 53% of
increased substantially over the past 12 years.
college students in the state.
(cid:2)Young adults (ages 18-24) from low-income families are only
(cid:2)Arkansas’ investment in need-based financial aid is very low,
two-thirds as likely as those from high-income families to earn a
and the state offers no low-tuition college opportunities.
high school credential. Blacks in the 9th to 12th grades are only
three-quarters as likely as whites to enroll in upper-level math and
Completion
science courses.
(cid:2)Compared with other states, a small percentage of college
Participation students complete a bachelor’s degree within six years of enrolling.
However, this percentage has increased over the past seven years.
(cid:2)Compared with other states, a very small percentage of working-
age adults enroll part-time in college-level education or training.
(cid:2)Arkansas performs poorly on international comparisons of
However, the state’s improvement on this measure is among the
enrolled students who complete certificate and degree programs.
largest in the nation over the past decade.
Measuring Up 2006 4
PREPARATION 2006 Arkansas
2006 Change
Grade Over Time
Despite substantial improvement, high school students in Arkansas are
D+ poorly prepared for college when compared with students in other states.
This year Arkansas receives a D+ in preparation.
Graded Information
Arkansas
Top
Compared with other states: PREPARATION
States
(cid:2)A fair proportion (50%) of high school
1992* 2006 2006
students in Arkansas are enrolled in
upper-level math, but a fairly low propor-
High School Completion (20%)
tion (28%) are enrolled in upper-level
science. 18- to 24-year-olds with a high school credential 88% 86%† 94%
K–12 Course Taking (35%)
(cid:2)A very low proportion (16%) of 8th
9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level
graders take algebra. 36% 50% 64%
math course
9th to 12th graders taking at least one upper-level
(cid:2)Eighth graders perform very poorly on 19% 28% 40%
science course
national assessments in math, science,
8th grade students taking algebra 3% 16% 35%
and writing, indicating that they are not
12th graders taking at least one upper-level
well prepared to succeed in challenging
math course n/a 53% 66%
high school courses. Their performance
in reading is fairly low. K–12 Student Achievement (35%)
8th graders scoring at or above “proficient” on
(cid:2)Low-income 8th graders perform very the national assessment exam:
poorly on national assessments in math. in math 10% 22% 38%
in reading 23% 26% 38%
(cid:2)Very small proportions of 11th and
in science 22% 23% 41%
12th graders score well on Advanced
in writing 13% 19% 41%
Placement tests and college entrance
Low-income 8th graders scoring at or above
exams.
“proficient” on the national assessment exam 5% 13% 22%
in math
(cid:2)About two-thirds of secondary school
Number of scores in the top 20% nationally on
students are taught by qualified teachers, SAT/ACT college entrance exam per 1,000 high 98 133 237
which compares well with top-perform- school graduates
ing states. Number of scores that are 3 or higher on an
Advanced Placement subject test per 1,000 high 18 87 217
Change in Graded Measures school juniors and seniors
(cid:2)Over the past 12 years, the proportion Teacher Quality (10%)
of high school students enrolled in upper-
7th to 12th graders taught by teachers with
level science has increased substantially. a major in their subject 52% 68% 81%
However, the state’s current performance
is fairly poor relative to other states. *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.
†Eighty-one 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 Arkansas
(cid:2)During the same period, the propor- (cid:2)The percentage of 8th graders performing Other Key Facts
tion of 8th graders taking algebra has well on national assessments in writing
(cid:2)Young adults from low-income families
increased more than fivefold, placing has increased as well, although the state’s
are only two-thirds as likely as those from
Arkansas among the fastest-improving current performance is very poor relative
high-income families to earn a high school
states on this measure. However, the to other states.
credential.
state’s current performance is very low
compared with other states. (cid:2)In the past nine years, the percentage of
(cid:2)Blacks in the 9th to 12th grades are only
low-income 8th graders performing well on
three-quarters as likely as whites to enroll in
(cid:2)The percentage of 8th graders perform- national assessments in math has more
upper-level math and science.
ing well on national assessments in math than doubled, but the state’s current
has more than doubled over the past 13 performance on this measure is very poor
(cid:2)About 26% of children under age 18 live
years, but the state’s current performance compared with other states.
in poverty, compared with a national rate of
is very poor relative to other states.
18%.
(cid:2)The proportions of 11th and 12th graders
(cid:2)The percentage of 8th graders perform- taking and scoring well on Advanced
ing well on national assessments in Placement tests have more than quadrupled
reading has increased by 12% over the over the past 12 years, although the state’s
past seven years, in contrast to a national current performance is very low compared
decline of 7% on this measure. However, with other states.
the state’s current performance remains
fairly poor compared with other states. (cid:2)The percentage of secondary school
students taught by qualified teachers has
increased substantially.
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 Arkansas
2006 Change
Grade Over Time
Despite substantial improvement, Arkansas lags much of the nation in
C enrolling students in higher education. This year Arkansas receives a C
in participation.
Graded Information
Arkansas Top
Compared with other states: PARTICIPATION
States
(cid:2)The chance of Arkansas high school
1992* 2006 2006
students enrolling in college by age 19 is
fairly high.
Young Adults (60%)
(cid:2)However, a very small percentage Chance for college by age 19 36% 42% 53%
of working-age adults (ages 25 to 49) 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college 26% 31% 41%
are enrolled part-time in college-level
Working-Age Adults (40%)
education or training.
25- to 49-year-olds enrolled part-time in any type
of postsecondary education 2.4% 2.8% 5.1%
Change in Graded Measures
Over the past decade: *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.
(cid:2)The chance of enrolling in college by
age 19 has increased by 18%—one of
Other Key Facts (cid:2)About 21% of the adult population has
the steepest increases among the states on
less than a high school diploma or its
this measure. Although a smaller per- (cid:2)Among the young adult population (ages
equivalent, compared with 14% of adults
centage of students graduate from high 18 to 24), the gap in college participation
nationwide.
school within four years, more of those between whites and other ethnic groups is
who graduate enroll in college. substantial. Currently, 34 out of 100 white
(cid:2)In Arkansas, 1,395 more students are
young adults are enrolled in college, com-
entering the state than are leaving to attend
(cid:2)The percentage of working-age adults pared to 24 out of 100 young adults from
college. About 11% of Arkansas high school
who are enrolled part-time in college- other ethnic groups.
graduates who go to college attend college
level education or training beyond high
out of state.
school has increased by 18%—among (cid:2)The state’s population is projected to
the largest increases in the nation. grow by 10% from 2005 to 2020, somewhat
Nonetheless, the state’s current perform- below the national rate of 14%. During
ance on this measure remains very poor approximately the same period, the number
when compared with other states. of high school graduates is projected to
increase by 4%.
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 Arkansas
2006 Change
Grade Over Time
Arkansas has made no notable progress in making higher education
F affordable. This year Arkansas receives an F in affordability.
Graded Information
Arkansas
Top States
(cid:2)Compared with best-performing AFFORDABILITY
In Early
states, families in Arkansas devote a fairly
1992* 2006 1990s
large share of family income, even after
financial aid, to attend public two-year
Family Ability to Pay (50%)
colleges, and they devote a large share
of family income to attend public four- Percent of income (average of all income groups)
needed to pay for college expenses minus
year colleges and universities. These two
financial aid:
sectors enroll 90% of Arkansas’ college
at community colleges 20% 20% 15%
students.
at public 4-year colleges/universities 22% 25% 16%
(cid:2)Arkansas’ investment in need-based at private 4-year colleges/universities 35% 55% 32%
financial aid is very low, and the state
Strategies for Affordability (40%)
does not offer low-priced college
State investment in need-based financial aid as
opportunities. 10% 22% 89%
compared to the federal investment
At lowest-priced colleges, the share of income
(cid:2)Undergraduate students borrowed on 11% 18% 7%
that the poorest families need to pay for tuition
average $3,270 in 2005.
Reliance on Loans (10%)
Change in Graded Measures Average loan amount that undergraduate students
$2,629 $3,270 $2,619
borrow each year
(cid:2)Over the past several years, the state
has increased its commitment to finan-
*The indicators report data beginning in 1992 or the closest year for which reliable data are available. See the
cially needy students. Nonetheless, the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2006.
share of family income, even after Note: In the affordability category, the lower the figures the better the performance for all indicators except for
financial aid, needed to pay for college is “State investment in need-based financial aid.”
large when compared with other states.
Other Key Facts
(cid:2)In Arkansas, 37% of students are
enrolled in community colleges and
53% 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 2006 8
AFFORDABILITY 2006 Arkansas
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 $9,920 $4,372 44% $5,216 53% $12,886 130%
20% of the population with lower-middle income $22,124 $5,208 24% $6,438 29% $13,662 62%
20% of the population with middle income $36,100 $5,926 16% $7,900 22% $14,402 40%
20% of the population with upper-middle income $56,866 $6,130 11% $8,144 14% $14,757 26%
20% of the population with the highest income $97,005 $6,167 6% $8,246 9% $15,158 16%
40% of the population with the lowest income $16,022 $4,790 30% $5,827 36% $13,274 83%
*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 36%
$16,022 each year. of their income annually:
(cid:2)If a student from such a family were to attend a community Tuition, room, and board: $9,118
college in the state, their net cost to attend college would
Financial aid received: –$3,292
represent about 30% of their income annually:
Net college cost: $5,827
Tuition, room, and board: $6,249
Percent of income: 36%
Financial aid received: –$1,459
Net college cost: $4,790 Note
The numbers shown for tuition, room, and board minus financial
Percent of income: 30%
aid may not exactly equal net college cost due to rounding.
9 www.highereducation.org
COMPLETION 2006 Arkansas
2006 Change
Grade Over Time
Although Arkansas has made substantial gains in the proportion of students
C earning a certificate or degree in a timely manner, the state’s performance
remains low when compared with other states. This year Arkansas receives
a C in completion.
Graded Information
Arkansas
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
47% 53% 62%
(cid:2)However, a small percentage (40%) their second year
of first-time, full-time college students Freshmen at 4-year colleges/universities
67% 68% 82%
complete a bachelor’s degree within six returning their sophomore year
years of entering college.
Completion (80%)
First-time, full-time students completing a
(cid:2)The proportion of students completing
bachelor’s degree within 6 years of college 34% 40% 64%
certificates and degrees, relative to the
entrance
number enrolled, is fairly high.
Certificates, degrees, and diplomas awarded
at all colleges and universities per 100 13 16 20
Change in Graded Measures
undergraduate students
(cid:2)Over the past 15 years, the percentage
*The indicators report data beginning in 1992 or the closest year for which reliable data are available.
of first-year community college students
†2006 data may not be entirely comparable with data from previous years.
returning for their second year has
See the Technical Guide for Measuring Up 2006.
increased by 13% in Arkansas, in contrast
to a nationwide decrease of 5% on this
(cid:2)Over the past 12 years, the proportion Other Key Facts
measure.
of students completing certificates and
(cid:2)Over the past decade, Arkansas has
degrees relative to the number enrolled
narrowed the gap between whites and
(cid:2)During the past seven years, the per-
has also increased, with most of the
blacks in the proportion of students
centage of first-time, full-time college
growth in certificates awarded and a
completing certificates and degrees relative
students earning a bachelor’s degree
substantial decline in the proportion of
to the number enrolled. Currently, 17 out
within six years of enrolling in college
students earning bachelor’s degrees.
of 100 white students enrolled complete
has increased by 18%, compared with a
degrees and certificates, compared to 14
nationwide increase of 6%. However,
out of 100 black students.
Arkansas’ current 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 2006 10