RSF Journal Conference: Higher Education Effectiveness

Recent international comparisons show that the United States has lost the lead it once had in average educational attainment, and cross-country comparisons of literacy and numeracy among adults suggest that Americans rank in the bottom half of OECD nations on many measures. Among the concerns expressed about the American higher education system are rising tuitions and levels of student debt, large and growing disparities by socioeconomic status in attendance and completion, low levels of degree attainment in science and engineering programs in spite of large government investments, low levels of student effort at many institutions, outdated methods of instruction, and disproportionate growth of administration and administrative regulation.

For an upcoming issue of the new RSF Journal, sociologist Steven Brint and economist Charles Clotfelter will organize a symposium featuring nine articles that examine the effectiveness of higher education in a fresh light. Brint and Clotfelter will serve as the guest editors for this special issue. Articles will examine topics such as the effects of financial aid and admissions policies on access and degree completion, remediation efforts, peer effects on learning or campus culture, factors associated with attrition, as well as research questions such as: What forces and policies affect rates of access to higher education? How can colleges and universities foster the success of under-represented and first-generation college students? What institutional changes are required to raise four- and six-year graduation rates? Can campuses control costs without lowering quality?