Education Commission of the States (ECS) today released its latest report detailing the inclusion of adult learners in state financial aid policies. States provide $12 billion annually in financial aid, but the report reveals that many policies limit access to adult learners due to merit-based requirements, full-time schooling statutes or early application deadlines. While 52 percent of today’s post-secondary students are over the age of 21, just over one-third of state financial aid recipients are classified as independent, according to the report.

Strada Education NetworkSM partnered with ECS to research state financial aid policies as part of our multiyear project to provide technical assistance to states to improve policies for all students.

50-State Comparison: Adult Inclusion in State Financial Aid Policies

As the cost of education debate continues here in Washington, two themes keep appearing: 1) the role of student loans in paying for college and 2) the role of states in funding higher education. The Education Commission of the States has launched a helpful resource for the latter: a database covering the larger 100 state financial aid programs. This database is a great resource to learn more about the policies of your state and other states. Educating yourself about the policies in other states will make a stronger advocate for your students.

http://www.collegeaccess.org/SD06232015Article5

Database: http://statefinancialaidredesign.org/state-financial-aid-database/

The report summarized four principles for financial aid programs:

• Student centered;
• Goal driven and data informed;
• Timely and flexible; and
• Broadly inclusive of all students’ educational pathways.

The report was the first step in a two-year project, supported by USA Funds, to encourage states to adapt their aid programs to better meet the needs of their students and economies. In May, ECS will launch a 50-state policy scan of the largest 100 state-funded aid programs, which is intended to inform discussions about current program design and innovative models and assist states in identifying peer programs. Finally, ECS will provide technical assistance in five to seven states to help them explore legislative changes to their aid programs.

http://statefinancialaidredesign.org/

A new report from the Education Commission of the States focuses on third-grade reading proficiency, highlighting policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. State policymakers are very aware of the importance of reading at grade level by third grade, and in many states have advocated for policies aimed at three levers: identifying reading deficiencies through state or local assessments; interventions for struggling readers in grades K-3; and retaining outgoing third-graders who don’t meet grade-level expectations. The report documents current statutory provisions specifically for these levers. Thirty-five states plus the District of Columbia require a reading assessment in at least one grade preK-3, with the primary purpose of identifying reading deficiencies via a mix of state-mandated and locally determined approaches. Thirty-one states plus D.C. require or recommend that districts offer some type of intervention or remediation for struggling readers for a preK-3 grade. Some states dictate specific interventions, while others let districts choose from a suggested list. Fourteen states plus D.C. require the retention of third grade students who do not meet grade-level expectations in reading, and three additional states allow student retention based on a recommendation from a teacher, parent, or superintendent.

http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/01/16/81/11681.pdf

The Blueprint is designed to serve as a framework to help K-12 and higher education leaders conceptualize the multitude of education reform efforts underway in their states. It’s based on the premise that K-12 and postsecondary collaboration is essential
to building an aligned education pipeline and improving student outcomes.

The framework unites two driving forces in state and federal policymaking: 1) to improve the college and career readiness of graduating high school students and 2) to decrease remedial education and improve the rate of students who earn a degree or credential.

The following analysis includes four high school policies, four postsecondary policies and two “bridge” policies that impact both stakeholders. Collectively, the 10 policies described in the Blueprint enable states to bring together college and career readiness, transition and degree attainment goals.

The second section of the report contains individual state profiles as a way for leaders to quickly discern where strengths and opportunities exist and where they can get more information and resources should they decide to take action. Finally, a 50-state searchable data portal will provide an array of content-rich, easy-to-understand features.

See all the results of all 10 Blueprint policies:  http://www.ecs.org/html/educationIssues/blueprint/blueprint-intro.asp.