In 2019, before the global coronavirus pandemic hit, Michigan had what looked like a strong economy, driven partly by a thriving auto industry. GDP was high and unemployment was low. By traditional measures, the state was thriving. And yet, many Michigan families were struggling—38 percent of Michigan families couldn’t afford the basic necessities in 2019.…

In spring 2020, New America and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association partnered on a year-long research project to understand the effects of the pandemic, economic crisis, and racial reckoning on America’s colleges and universities. This report details several recommendations for federal, state, and institutional policymakers to help both institutions and students move from…

In designing California’s Cradle-to-Career Data system, policymakers and numerous stakeholders have worked to make it a comprehensive and equity-driven vehicle for advancing change. This brief from California Competes provides a useful analysis and background to support their engagement and decision-making.

Seven state leadership organizations and five workforce, education and data advocacy/technical assistance experts have come together to build awareness, understanding, and demand for how policy can integrate credential transparency into education and workforce development state strategies. A new brief from Credential Engine explores the ways that credential transparency can be supported, integrated, and leveraged within…

A new report from Jobs for the Future offers policy-based solutions and examples that can support greater alignment and partnerships across K-12 and postsecondary education, promote scaling, and ensure that every young person has the support necessary for success.

At least 36 million adults in the United States have earned some postsecondary education credit without obtaining a credential. Adults in this population frequently indicate their desire to finish what they started but often need proactive support structures and services to help them overcome challenges. This brief from the National Governors Association focuses on actions…

Many states have begun to adopt and revise their policies to promote and measure both college and career readiness among high school students. However, in these efforts, initiatives to improve students’ career readiness often lag those to improve their college readiness. This analysis from the Alliance for Excellent Education examines three policy areas in which…

Accessible, well-funded higher education is crucial for residents’ quality of life, a strong state economy, and thriving communities. But after the Great Recession, states weakened their futures by sharply cutting higher education funding and raising tuition, making college less accessible—especially for students with low incomes and students of color. A new report from the Center…

Utah’s population is changing. If the state’s post-secondary educational institutions do not respond to those changes, tens of thousands of Utahns may miss out on educational advancement in the coming decades, says this report from the Utah Foundation. The study highlights various ways of promoting both student retention and completion of certificates and degrees for…

This working paper from Ithaka S+R examines the relationship between increased attainment of two- and four-year college degrees and state revenues and expenses. The report builds on prior work that details states’ approaches to and progress toward meeting their attainment goals.