1. The Condition of Higher Education in North Carolina Patrice High HE-510: Foundations of Higher Education Dr. S. Connolly

2. Condition of Higher Education in North Carolina The state of North Carolina is home to a variety of postsecondary institutions. There are 16 public colleges and universities, and one public high school, operating through the University of North Carolina agency (The University), including The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, and Western Carolina University. The mission of the University is to discover, create, transmit, and apply knowledge to address the needs of individuals and society (Statement of Mission, 2011). In 2009, The University awarded 31,055 undergraduate degrees and 10,060 Master’s degrees. 176, 133 undergraduate students and 46, 189 graduate students were enrolled in The University in the Fall of 2009.

3. Condition of Higher Education in North Carolina Thirty six private, non-profit colleges and universities operate through the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities agency, including Duke University, Bennett College, and Davidson College. The mission of NCICU, “is to support, represent, and advocate for North Carolina independent higher education.” NCICU offers 126 bachelor’s and associate degree programs and grant almost 1/3 of the baccalaureate degrees awarded in the state of North Carolina each year. Eighteen independent institutions offer master's degree programs, four offer doctoral degrees, and seven offer professional degree programs.

4. Condition of Higher Education in North Carolina Colleges and universities from both The University and NCICU are regularly featured on the annual US News & World Report’s Best Colleges list. In 2011, Duke University was ranked 9th, Wake Forest University was ranked 25th, and UNC-Chapel Hill was ranked 30th.

6. A top-performing state in the percentage of high school students taking upper level math courses.

7. Substantially increased percentages of 8th graders performing well on national assessments in math and writing.

8. 81% of secondary school students taught by teachers with an undergraduate or graduate major in the subject they are teaching.

9. A consistently high percentage of freshmen return for their sophomore year at four year public universities.

10. A large portion of students completing certificates and degrees relative to the number enrolled.The Measuring Up 2006 State Report Card on Higher Education, compiled significant strengths and weaknesses concerning higher education in North Carolina.

11. Condition of Higher Education in North Carolina According to the report, North Carolina’s weaknesses included: 8th graders who perform poorly on national assessments in science. A widening gap between 18-24 year old whites and non-whites in college participation. Very low state investment in need-based financial aid. North Carolina’s Overall Scores: Preparation-B+ Participation-B- Affordability-F Completion-B+ Benefits-B Learning-I

12. Condition of Higher Education in North Carolina North Carolina is among the poorest performing states in the percentage of young adults earning a high school diploma or GED by age 24. About 22% of children live in poverty, compared to a nation average of 18%. Forty eight percent of students are enrolled in community colleges and 36% in public four year colleges and universities. Policymakers and state residents have no access to information about high-level literacy skills because NC refuses to participate in the national literacy survey. Several facts about the condition of higher education in North Carolina featured in the Measuring Up Report were interesting to me.

13. Condition of Higher Education in North Carolina What do I agree with? I agree that North Carolina is advancing in preparing students for the future through upper level Math classes offered and taken at the high school level. Preparation: One point of the report was that eighth graders score poorly on national science assessments, leading to poor preparation for high school science courses. In several middle schools around the state, science is not taken seriously until eighth grade. Students are removed from science for additional help with math and reading. It is my opinion that students are not receiving the proper background knowledge leading up to eighth grade science, which explains the lower test scores. What don’t I agree with? Affordability: As a former student of the UNC system, I disagree that state schools in North Carolina are not affordable for the majority of the people. There are numerous need-based and achievement-based scholarships and grants available to North Carolina students. Also, many out of state students pick schools in North Carolina due to their affordability, compared to schools in their home states.

14. Condition of Higher Education in North Carolina Summary Outside of affordability, the state of North Carolina fared well in the Measuring Up report. The report was filled with information that was useful not only for this assignment, but that will be useful throughout this class and the MSHE program.

15. References Facts and figures. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.northcarolina.edu/about/facts.htm Fast facts. (2011) Retrieved from http://www.ncicu.org/fast_facts.html Measuring Up: The state report card on higher education (2006). Retrieved from http://measuringup.highereducation.org/reports/stateprofilene t.cfm?myyear=2006&stateName=North+Carolina National university rankings. (2011). Retrieved from http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best- colleges/rankings/national-universities Statement of mission. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.northcarolina.edu/about/mission.htm Condition of Higher Education in North Carolina