Measuring Up 2006: The State Report Card on Higher Education. Florida

N

16

Community; Policymakers

Higher Education; Comparative Analysis; Performance Factors; Educational Improvement; Educational Change; College Preparation; Enrollment; Access to Education; Paying for College; Student Costs; Academic Persistence; Graduation Rate; Educational Attainment; Outcomes of Education; Education Work Relationship; Economic Impact; Academic Achievement; Achievement Rating; Educational Indicators; Educational Assessment; Postsecondary Education; Time to Degree; Comparative Education; Foreign Countries

The purpose of this state report card is to provide the general public and policymakers with information they can use to assess and improve postsecondary education in each state. "Measuring Up 2006" is the fourth in a series of biennial report cards. The report card grades states in six overall performance categories: (1) Preparation: How adequately does the state prepare students for education and training beyond high school?; (2) Participation: Do state residents have sufficient opportunities to enroll in education and training beyond high school?; (3) Affordability: How affordable is higher education for students and their families?; (4) Completion: Do students make progress toward and complete their certificates or degrees in a timely manner?; (5) Benefits: What benefits does the state receive from having a highly educated population?; and (6) Learning: What is known about student learning as a result of education and training beyond high school? Findings for Florida include: (1) Despite improvement, Florida lags much of the nation in preparing students to succeed in college. This year Florida receives a C in preparation; (2) The number of students enrolling in higher education in Florida has declined. Florida receives a C in participation this year; (3) Florida has made no notable progress in providing affordable higher education. Florida receives an F in affordability this year; (4) Florida continues its strong performance in the proportion of students who earn a certificate or degree in a timely manner. Florida receives an A in completion this year; (5) Florida has seen an increase in the benefits received from having a more highly educated population. Florida earns a B in benefits this year; and (6) Like most states, Florida receives an "Incomplete" in Learning because insufficient data would not allow meaningful state-by-state comparisons. However, data are available this year to examine the readiness of college graduates--from two- and four-year institutions--for advanced practice. This report also includes international comparisons, additional information, questions and answers, and state grades. (Contains 3 figures.) [For "Measuring Up, 2006. The National Report Card on Higher Education," see ED493360.]

ERIC

2011

ED522503