State policy for higher education in Massachusetts as elsewhere renders certain courses of action attractive while placing obstacles to other courses of action by the legislature, government officials, coordinating and governing boards, and other agencies and persons engaged in or planning for higher education. Policy may take the form of…

The state of Minnesota has established the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) to coordinate the state's educational computing activities. The Consortium is governed by a board of directors representing the State Department of Education, the State Junior Colleges, the State Colleges, the State University and the public and is…

Two-year colleges are trying to change legislators' perceptions about their institutions, demanding increased state support, and working together to lobby as a state system rather than as individual institutions. (MSE)

States are moving away from plans allowing parents to pay for their children's education at a fixed rate years in advance, instead looking at plans that simply help parents save money. Of the nine guaranteed-tuition programs, only three are in operation, and some are pressing for a national program. (MSE)

Discusses the history, operation, funding, and future of ILLINET Online, an automated library system in Illinois which has two components: the Library Computer System, a statewide resource sharing network; and the Full Bibliographic Record system, a shared online catalog for participating libraries. (MES)

Describes the evaluation system of the Developmental Studies Program in Georgia. Reports findings of the evaluation of the English program. (FL)

Describes the first year of a program conducted by two Oregon institutions of higher education that "warranty" their teacher education graduates. The program provides support to graduates and their employers, encourages collaboration between the teacher education program and local schools, makes the teacher education faculty accountable,…

Chronicles the North Dakota process in which students entering nursing programs, beginning in 1987, will be required to have baccalaureate degrees for professional nursing practice and associate degrees for technical nursing practice. Discusses how this process came about, the role of the North Dakota Board of Nursing, how changes occurred, public…

This report traces the history and accomplishments of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education over the past 12 years, during 3 state administrations. In the early 1990s, as the Commonwealth was feeling the impact of recession, the perceived quality of the system was declining, as were enrollments and retention. State policymakers and leaders…

This paper discusses recession and the major policy considerations that states and institutions must face in the current economic downturn. It explores the public policy implications of three major variables: (1) each of the 50 states has a unique higher education system; (2) each state also has a unique revenue and budgetary process; and (3) each…

Community colleges and baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institutions are active in school-to-career efforts in Colorado in a variety of ways. This document describes some School-to-Career initiatives at Colorado colleges, grouped according to three major educational objectives. The first is to infuse School-to-Career competencies and…

The feature article of this issue discusses state initiatives to address high-risk alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among college and university students. These efforts have focused mainly on networking, information sharing, and professional development. Many are based on the initiative developed by Ohio Parents for Drug Free Youth, an approach to…

This higher education plan for Texas outlines the goals of closing the gaps in higher education participation and success, in educational excellence, and in funded research over the next 15 years. It outlines the four challenges that are the most critical to overcome for the future well-being of Texas. These challenges are presented as goals. The…

This document consists of two reports on Illinois higher education. The first, "The Illinois Articulation Initiative: Annual Report 2002-2003," discusses the current status of the Illinois Articulation Imitative (IAI), which was designed to ease transfer for students among Illinois colleges and universities. May 2003 marked the end of…

This report describes progress made in the implementation of Connecticut's strategic plan to ensure racial and ethnic diversity. Connecticut's public colleges and universities are becoming more diverse each year, and 2002 continued that trend. Both the overall numbers and proportions of enrolled students, graduates, and professional employees from…