Measuring Up 2006: The State Report Card on Higher Education. West Virginia
Author: National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education
Date: 2006-00-00
Type: Reports - Descriptive
Subjects: Higher Education,Postsecondary Education,Comparative Analysis,Performance Factors,Educational Improvement,Educational Change,College Preparation,Enrollment,Access to Education,Paying for College,Student Costs,Academic Persistence,Time to Degree,Graduation Rate,Educational Attainment,Outcomes of Education,Education Work Relationship,Economic Impact,Academic Achievement,Achievement Rating,Educational Indicators,Educational Assessment,Comparative Education,Foreign Countries

The purpose of this state report card is to provide the general public and policymakers with information they can use to assess and improve postsecondary education in each state. &quot;Measuring Up 2006&quot; is the fourth in a series of biennial report cards. The report card grades states in six overall performance categories: (1) Preparation: How adequately does the state prepare students for education and training beyond high school?; (2) Participation: Do state residents have sufficient opportunities to enroll in education and training beyond high school?; (3) Affordability: How affordable is higher education for students and their families?; (4) Completion: Do students make progress toward and complete their certificates or degrees in a timely manner?; (5) Benefits: What benefits does the state receive from having a highly educated population?; and (6) Learning: What is known about student learning as a result of education and training beyond high school? Findings for West Virginia include: (1) Despite improvement, West Virginia's performance in preparing students to succeed in college remains low when compared with other states. This year West Virginia receives a C- in preparation; (2) West Virginia has made no notable progress in the proportion of students enrolling in higher education. The state continues to lag much of the nation and receives a C- in participation this year; (3) West Virginia has made no notable progress in providing affordable higher education. This year West Virginia receives an F in affordability; (4) Despite improvement, West Virginia's performance in the proportion of students who earn a certificate or degree in a timely manner remains low when compared with other states. West Virginia receives a C+ in completion this year; (5) Despite improvement, West Virginia continues to struggle to realize the benefits that come from having a highly educated population. This year West Virginia is one of only two states to receive an benefits, the lowest grade awarded; (6) Like most states, West Virginia receives an &quot;Incomplete&quot; in Learning because insufficient data would not allow meaningful state-by-state comparisons. However, data are available this year to examine the readiness of college graduates--from two- and four-year institutions--for advanced practice. This report also includes international comparisons, additional information, questions and answers, and state grades. (Contains 1 figure.) [For &quot;Measuring Up, 2006. The National Report Card on Higher Education,&quot; see ED493360.]