As state legislatures across the country get deeper into the policymaking process this year, we’re getting a clearer idea of how they may act on the top issues facing college students and families.
Lumina Foundation has named Hawaiʻi the sixth Talent, Innovation, Equity (TIE) state, awarding a $575,000 grant to support efforts to create a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
In recent years, the debates about proposals to expand the federal Pell Grant program to pay for short-term workforce programs offered at community colleges have been lively. Several states have taken matters into their own hands, using federal stimulus dollars to provide aid to adult learners seeking short-term certificates and certifications. These state initiatives offer essential insights into how we can better connect low-income workers—particularly workers of color—to good jobs.
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 of Budget and Policy Priorities explores strategies to reverse this trend.
A new report from the Urban Institute contends that a federal-state partnership to fund higher education could help address ongoing equity gaps, but whether such a program achieves policymakers’ goals depends on the details. The study specifically looks at college affordability proposals—including those for free or debt-free college—and examines who would benefit from different plans and how the distribution of benefits changes based on program design decisions.
To make clear how far short the CARES Act falls in the face of a historic economic shock, consider that the University of Arizona reports it has already lost $66 million but will get only $16.7 million in federal money that doesn’t go to students. Meanwhile, the University of Oregon estimates a $25 million loss from the spring semester; it will get less than one-third of that in CARES Act funding. That does not even reflect any budget cuts that may happen in the future.
To help people learn the skills they need to get better jobs and move up the economic ladder, community-based workforce providers are as important as community colleges and four-year colleges.
For years, opinion polls have suggested a declining confidence among the general public about higher education. One recent poll found that fewer than half of Americans have “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education.
Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis outlined a vision for cultivating the talent needed for economic and social success in the luncheon keynote before an audience of institutional leaders at the Annual conference of UPCEA (University Professional and Continuing Education Association.)
Understanding complex labor markets including the demand for skills is key to guiding our investments in education and training. This is especially true for community colleges responsible for preparing a significant portion of the nation’s workers. These institutions are being increasingly challenged to better align their programs of study with entire economies undergoing restructuring and with most workplaces escalating their skill requirements. Policy questions surrounding higher education funding formulas, measures of performance and institutional rating systems are all seeking more focus on labor market outcomes.