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We're 1.5 months into 2021 & @NewAmericaEd's #HigherEd team hit the ground running. So grateful to work w/ @SophieSG17, @AleAcostaEd, @Irisonhighered, @WesleyWhistle, @claremccann, @amylaitinen1, @StephenBurd2, @moniqueositelu, @elinjohnson907, @lupitaromogonz Some highlights: 1/
At the end of 2020, #HigherEd had a Chrismacoronabuskuh miracle! The "coronabus" legislation passed in December had some of the most significant implications for higher education in a decade. Read our thoughts here: https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/christmas-surprise-higher-education/ 2/
As @Irisonhighered wrote to ring in the New Year: New Congress, New #Comm_College Investment. As she says, "Right now, we have an unprecedented need for community colleges to help prepare people to get back to work." Absolutely! Read her thoughts: https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/new-congress-new-community-college-investment/ 3/
Finally, @usedgov released institutional default and repayment data on Parent PLUS loans. I took a first look and there were some worrisome signs at some institutions, many that are #4profits. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/parent-plus-default/ 4/
The push to expand Pell to very short-term credentials w/o exploration of equity implications is concerning. @WesleyWhistle explored the historical record on this and there is little compelling evidence that these programs offer a promising future. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/short-memories-lead-long-term-consequences-higher-education-policy/ 5/
How are students faring 10 months into the pandemic? We conducted a tracking poll with @ThirdWayEDU and found, unsurprisingly, students are feeling a lot of concerns about COVID-19 as it pertains both to their health and their financial stability. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/higher-ed-tracking-survey/ 6/
Why did #comm_colleges experience 10% drop in enrollment in fall 2020? We surveyed continuing, stop outs, aspirants, & new students to understand why some maintained enrollment & others didn't. One takeaway: lots of essential employees needing to work. 7/ https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/community-college-enrollment-survey/
Out from @SophieSG17 & me--how exactly can we design financial aid offers (aka award letters) so that students and parents can navigate them on their own successfully? Take a look at our design principles here informed by our #FinancialAidOfferpalooza https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/design-principles-financial-aid-offers/ 8/
Get ready for a Quantum Leap gif. @kevincarey1 & @Irisonhighered make the case for a Quantum LEAP calling for leveraging the existing LEAP program to make progress towards free college. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/case-quantum-leap/ 9/
We've updated our state budget tracker that we've published with @SHEEOed, looking at the impacts of COVID-19 on higher ed budgets and will continue to do so as we head into budget cycles. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/state-budget-cuts/ 10/
Several of us are tackling some of the thorniest issues related to transfer with recommendations on how to ease transfer pathways. It's likely more students will experience transfer swirl during COVID-19, so it will be important to focus on fixes now. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-transfer/ 11/
All this work was accomplished with us scattered across the nation & internationally during tumultuous times. The passion my colleagues bring to improve & build a better future for students is what has helped me get through 2020 & now 2021. #FF this group! /end
