Additional Strategies
Of course, a few action strategies will not change the educational culture sufficiently to ensure Maine's economic future. A more comprehensive effort is required to improve college-going and academic success in Maine.
With this in mind, the Compact will also continue to explore a wide range of additional strategies aimed at making sure all Maine residents are educated for tomorrow's economy.
Here are some of the additional considerations developed by the Compact to move Maine in this direction by improving student preparation for college, encouraging completion and smooth transitions at each level and ensuring affordability.
Preparation
Expand Learning Results
Maine should expand its successful Learning Results program, so all students are academically prepared for a successful college experience. State education leaders should also promote and strengthen the Career Preparation component of the Learning Results program.
Require Completion of a College Application or Financial-aid Application for High School Graduation
An important barrier to college attainment is lack of information on college accessibility. Some students and their families mistakenly believe that college is beyond their reach academically or financially. High schools could require students to obtain at least some information about college accessibility as a precondition of graduation.
Use Distance Education to Improve Transitions
Maine should expand opportunities for both adults and recent high school graduates to earn college degrees online. Information technologies should also be used to offer students reduced-rate SAT prep classes, early college experiences, placement tests and remedial courses. This will require increasing Maine's investments in technological infrastructure and distance learning capacity.
Retention & Completion
Create a Pre-K-to-16 "System"
Maine's preschool, K-12, adult basic education and higher education systems should work together to streamline the transitions from preschool to K-12 education, then on through college. This may include examining how curricula, assessments and exit and entrance exams are aligned and working to change the budgetary structures that force the education sectors to compete for limited state funds.
Reward Degree Completion
Maine should design a pilot program offering grants to Maine residents who complete a degree at any accredited Maine institution. Students who complete a two-year, associate degree could be awarded $1,000, while those finishing a four-year, bachelor's degree receive $2,000. In order to encourage timely degree completion, grants should be available only to students completing their degrees within 150% of the customary completion time--that is, three years for an associate degree and six years for a bachelor's degree.
Support Working Adult Students
Colleges should adapt academic and student services to working adult students. These students may require instruction at employer worksites; more distance learning opportunities; evening and weekend course offerings; shortened programs; more flexible course formats; dedicated academic advising by faculty and peers; and special orientation sessions. They may also require supplemental financial assistance to pay for child care, transportation or emergency needs.
Hold Summit on Higher Education Attainment
The Compact should convene educators, business leaders and others for an annual summit focusing on best practices in improving higher education attainment. Such gatherings would aim to help all Maine institutions develop systematic approaches to improve student access, retention and completion.
Invest in Public Higher Education
Maine's below-average investment in public higher education and state grant programs causes ever-rising college prices to outpace student aid funds and that discourages lower- and middle-income families from pursuing college. Maine should invest consistently and adequately in its public colleges and universities. Additional funds are also needed to support institutions in developing student retention strategies and providing needed services for working adults and to support statewide data collection and analysis. At the same time, educators and policymakers should examine models of governance and education delivery that could enhance efficiency.
Ensure Uniform Data Collection on Attainment and Performance
Maine should establish a state-level office to coordinate, collect and analyze data on students in Maine and to track progress in expanding educational attainment. This office should also work with Maine's public campuses to develop appropriate performance standards and benchmarks in the areas of student retention and completion.
Reward Institutions for Performance
Maine institutions and systems that make significant progress in expanding educational attainment and student dropout rates should be able to earn up to an additional 1% in annual funding level.
Affordability
Make College Savings Universal for Maine Families
College savings plans receive special tax advantages under section 529 of the federal tax code. Maine should establish a 529 account for every Maine child born after Jan. 1, 2005 and, with underwriting from the private sector, begin each child with a symbolic deposit of $100 to be used toward tuition at an accredited college or university. Regular statements showing the growth of a child's investment would serve as an information source and motivator to parents.
Bolster Existing Financial Aid Programs
The state should double the value of need-based Maine State Grants and reduce the eligibility thresholds for part-time and working students.
Forgive Loans for College Graduates Who Live and Work in Maine
Loan forgiveness turns a loan that must be paid back into a grant. Maine should introduce a tax credit that, in effect, "forgives" any loans taken by people who finish college and live and work in Maine after graduation. This loan forgiveness tax credit would provide a powerful incentive for residents to complete degrees and stay in the state after graduating from a Maine college--or return to Maine after graduating from an out-of-state college. Notably, filing a Maine income tax return will firmly establish Maine residency, heading off abuse of the program.
Extend Student Aid to Adults
New financial aid programs are needed to help adults who are not covered by employer-provided tuition reimbursement programs. Current state and federal student aid programs are geared to 18- to 24-year-old, financially dependent full-time, college students. That made perfect sense in the 1960s when many of the student aid programs were first developed. It makes little sense today. The new "typical" college student is a working adult taking courses part-time. And he--more often she--is penalized by the old formulas used to determine eligibility for grants and loans. Jobs for the Future conducted a survey which captures the dilemma facing many adults, particularly low-wage workers (defined as those with annual incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level). Six in 10 of the workers say getting a GED or college degree would help them advance in their careers. But six in 10 also see cost as a barrier to further education.
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