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College

From community college courses to doctoral programs, postsecondary education encompasses all forms of schooling after completion of high school or its equivalent. RAND's research on postsecondary education programs and institutions throughout the world has been influential; research in Qatar, for instance, led to reform of the National University and a realignment of postsecondary education to societal needs.

Periodical

RAND Review: May-June 2022

The cover story explores what prison-based programs are available to help incarcerated parents and their children. Another feature examines ways to help social media users navigate the online extremist ecosystem.

May 11, 2022
Multimedia

The Pandemic’s Effect on College and Career Readiness Supports

RAND policy researcher Christine Mulhern describes findings from her recent study that examined how college and career readiness supports changed during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apr 14, 2022
Commentary

If College Isn't the Pathway to the Middle Class It Once Was—What Is?

Is college still the best path to the middle class? It's complicated. College credentials still do lead many to increased earnings, but the rapid increases in college costs, coupled with a strong labor market, have made the payoff for a college degree no longer a sure thing.

Apr 5, 2022
Blog

NATO's Open-Door Policy, U.S. Health Care Payments, Climate Migrants: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on NATO’s open-door policy, U.S. health care payments, supporting climate migrants, and more.

Feb 4, 2022
Report

The Value of Education and Training After High School

Most types of postsecondary credentials can lead to improved earnings. But returns can vary across different fields and by demographic characteristics. Understanding the value of credentials can help individuals, employers, and policymakers make smarter investments.

Feb 2, 2022
Report

Changes in College and Career Readiness Supports During the First Year of COVID-19

Emerging evidence suggests that high school students' postsecondary aspirations and their engagement with school counselors have changed during the pandemic. What were some of the perceived barriers to supports for postsecondary transitions?

Jan 12, 2022
Report

Establishing Feeder-Designation Relationships with Colleges and Universities to Increase Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Air Force Officer Accessions

This Perspective presents conceptual design considerations for implementing a feeder system as an enhanced marketing and outreach program to assist the U.S. Air Force with increasing racial and ethnic diversity in officer accessions.

Dec 30, 2021
Tool

Self-Assessment Guide for University Prevention Programs Focused on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

This guide provides detailed step-by-step instructions to help civilian universities and colleges assess their own programs to prevent sexual assault and harassment.

Nov 10, 2021
Report

Learn Together Surveys: 2021 Technical Documentation and Survey Results

This report provides information about the sample, survey instrument, and results data for the 2021 Learn Together Surveys that were administered to secondary principals and teachers in March 2021 via the RAND Corporation's American Educator Panels.

Nov 2, 2021
Journal Article

Assessing the Effect of Corequisite English Instruction Using a Randomized Controlled Trial

This is the first study to provide experimental evidence of the impact of corequisite remediation, an approach to accelerating students into college-level English.

Aug 12, 2021
Report

The Future of New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant: A Review of Options and Evidence

RAND Corporation experts prepared this report to address several key issues that are a priority for the New Jersey state government surrounding its Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program for low-income college students.

Aug 5, 2021
Blog

Paying College Athletes, Preventing Suicide, Planning for Heatwaves: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on a potential step toward paying college athletes, helping college freshmen overcome COVID-19 learning loss, the effects of U.S. sanctions in Syria, more.

Jul 16, 2021
Commentary

Next Year's Freshman: How Corequisites Might Help Address COVID-19 Learning Loss

As states and colleges look to address learning loss due to COVID-19, it is important that they not turn to traditional models of remediation that prevent students from directly entering college coursework. Instead, they should look to new, effective models of corequisite support.

Jul 13, 2021
Commentary

Charting a Path Forward for College Athletes to Receive Pay

The NCAA has long restricted what student athletes could receive in education-related benefits. But a recent Supreme Court ruling may be a step toward allowing athletes to access the income that their labor produces.

Jul 9, 2021
Blog

Pandemic-Era Parties, China's Global Influence, Reducing Infant Mortality: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on assessing the risk of small gatherings during the pandemic, China's ability to exert influence around the world, using big data to help reduce infant mortality, and more.

Jul 2, 2021
News Release

Guide to Help Prison Officials Create College-Level Educational Programs Created by RAND Corporation

A guide to help prison officials create high-quality college educational programs for inmates has been created by the nonprofit RAND Corporation. The toolkit—available online for free—is intended as a starting point for corrections officials who are considering whether to have a college program within their prison system or who may seek additional information to ensure the success of an existing program. The guide is relevant for both two-year and four-year college programs.

Jun 29, 2021
Tool

New Guide to Help Implement College Programs in Prisons

Education services can improve the lives and conditions of people in prison and help them compete for jobs when they are released. A new tool aims to guide corrections officials who are considering whether to start a college program or are looking for information to ensure the success of an existing program.

Jun 29, 2021
Research Brief

Building Ohio's Workforce Through Stackable Credentials

Ohio has been a leader in scaling stackable credential programs since passing initial legislation on stackable credentials nearly 15 years ago. Over this time, Ohio saw strong growth in short-term credential programs. And most individuals who stacked credentials earned a degree.

Jun 8, 2021
Report

Stackable Credential Pipelines in Ohio: Evidence on Programs and Earnings Outcomes

Stackable credentials allow individuals with short-term credentials to build on them with additional credentials throughout their careers. The authors of this report examined educational programs in Ohio and earnings gains from stacking credentials.

Jun 8, 2021
Journal Article

Patterns and Predictors of Postsecondary Re-Enrollment in the Acquisition of Stackable Credentials

This paper uses 15 years of education and employment data from Ohio to examine the predicators of student re-enrollment in postsecondary education after the completion of certificates in Ohio Technical Centers, community colleges, and universities.

Jun 4, 2021

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RAND Topic:
Postsecondary Education

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