News and views in higher education attainment from Lumina Foundation

Featured Story

Racial Equity

How colleges and states can help students caught in the pandemic ‘swirl’

As we discussed in our first blog post on “student swirl,” the reality that is starting to emerge is that many of today’s students’ educational journeys are changing as childcare, school openings, and jobs are still uncertain.

Haley Glover, Amber Garrison DuncanJuly 31, 2020

Medical workers protected in COVID masks

Research and Evaluation

Prior learning credits help students cross the finish line to earn degrees

College students lucky enough to know about it are embracing the growing movement toward prior learning assessment, and many say credits earned in this way helped them complete a degree or program they otherwise would not have.

Wendy Sedlak July 29, 2020

On the job training at a construction site.

State Policy

States should exert their power to grant college degrees — especially for these three student groups

To jump-start their economies in the wake of COVID-19, states will need to do more than just reopen bars and hair salons. They must help millions of people gain the skills they need to work in a dramatically changed employment market. Most of those post-pandemic jobs in the U.S. will require education and training beyond…

Scott Jenkins, Dewayne Matthews July 22, 2020

Featured Podcast

Student Supports

Looking past the pandemic: Educators from Michigan, Texas, and Illinois ponder the changes wrought by COVID

Dakota PawlickiMay 11, 2020

Research and Evaluation

Stronger Nation Overview — July 2020 update

Twelve takeaways from the July 2020 data update. The nation’s educational attainment rate after high school is 51.3%.

June 30, 2020

Research and Evaluation

Adults can thrive amid the pandemic—and flourish when economic recovery comes—by earning short-term credentials

A global health crisis hurts even those who don’t fall ill, especially people with no formal education beyond high school who are caught in the economic riptide of soaring unemployment.

Courtney BrownJune 29, 2020

Research and Evaluation

New data show 51.3% of U.S. adults hold degrees, certificates, or industry certifications

Lumina Foundation’s A Stronger Nation measures industry certifications for the first time, shows disparities in attainment persist among people 25 to 64 who are Black, Hispanic, and Native American

June 29, 2020

Research and Evaluation

Behavioral science and ‘nudging’ research can help students succeed in classes suddenly moved online

The nation's colleges and universities, disrupted with the rest of society by the fast-spreading coronavirus, have remade the instructional experience almost overnight with the move of millions of students and faculty online. And one of the most promising innovations getting an emergency trial by fire is the concept of "nudging" to help students succeed in…

Courtney BrownApril 20, 2020

Research and Evaluation

College credit where credit is due – the move toward ‘recognition for prior learning’

With a little help, nearly 36 million Americans who spent some time at college but never finished could be encouraged to resume their studies and get their degrees.

Frank Swanzy Essien, Jr.Dec. 11, 2019

Research and Evaluation

Census fight isn’t over. Nonprofits need to help everyone stand up and be counted.

With border camps drawing scrutiny, the threat of federal immigration raids in major U.S. cities, and a recent focus on the 2020 census, it’s likely those who feel most threatened will be afraid to respond to the once-a-decade collection of individual data.

Courtney BrownJuly 16, 2019

Research and Evaluation

Now is the time to unleash the talent in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has plenty of talent – but too few opportunities to unleash it. I saw this first-hand on a recent visit to the island for a conference aimed at increasing education beyond high school for all Puerto Ricans.

Courtney BrownMay 20, 2019

Research and Evaluation

Adults hold the key to increasing national attainment numbers

As a kid, I loved numbers. I loved the certainty they provided when counting items and comparing groups. Even today, my love for numbers – and data, more broadly – has not wavered.

May 15, 2019

Research and Evaluation

It’s what you know and how you apply it that matter … not whether you sat through the class

Competency-based education programs are growing in popularity and are seen by schools as an important way to reach adult learners and emphasize job readiness among graduates, a new study shows.

Frank Swanzy Essien, Jr.May 13, 2019

Research and Evaluation

Goal-exploration tool highlights paths to educational progress

For 10 years Lumina Foundation has been documenting America’s growth in educational attainment through its signature report, “A Stronger Nation.” Now we’re adding a powerful new section to the report that I think you’ll find informative and helpful.

Courtney BrownApril 24, 2019

Research and Evaluation

Stronger Nation data visualization can aid the effort to boost education levels

INDIANAPOLIS – A Stronger Nation, Lumina Foundation’s signature online report tracking the share of adults 25 to 64 with education and training after high school, has added a new goal-exploration tool to its national and state data that can be used by policy officials and journalists.

April 4, 2019

Research and Evaluation

Lumina’s ‘Stronger Nation’ data tool unlocks wealth of information

The latest edition of A Stronger Nation, Lumina Foundation’s signature report on educational attainment, now offers an interactive tool that states and stakeholders can use to help tailor their efforts to boost education attainment.

Courtney BrownApril 3, 2019

Research and Evaluation

Everyone has an opinion about the value of college. Tony Carnevale has the facts.

For a decade now, a small squadron of researchers at Carnevale’s Center on Education and the Workforce has explored the relationship between what students are learning and what skills employers need.

Jamie MerisotisNov. 30, 2018

Research and Evaluation

Post-high school attainment update shows progress, but many are still left behind

Stronger Nation, the signature report from Lumina Foundation used by policymakers and media organizations across the country, has some good news and not-so-good news this week.

Courtney BrownFeb. 9, 2018