Enrollments of traditional college-age students are expected to increase by 2.3 million, or 13%, from 2000 to 2015 (Education Commission of the States, Closing the College Participation Gap, 2003). Correcting historic patterns of under-enrollment by certain racial groups and low-income students should push that number even higher. But these new demands are outpacing higher education's ability to adapt and respond. Changes in student demographics and state support are forcing public officials to rethink some fundamental assumptions about how to achieve the public purposes of higher education. Budget cuts, decreasing financial aid, tuition, declining capacity and enrollments place unprecedented stress on postsecondary education at a time when Americans of all ages need it the most. Getting students into college is only half the battle. Ensuring they graduate – and learn what they need to know and be able to do in the process – is just as important.

To this end, the Education Commission of the States partnered with the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education (NCPPHE) and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) to create the National Collaborative for Postsecondary Education Policy to investigate and recommend new strategies for improving postsecondary education. The Collaborative has now released its final report, "Setting a Public Agenda for Higher Education in the States: Lessons Learned from the National Collaborative for Higher Education Policy." The report summarizes lessons learned and offers guidance to states interested in gaining broad agreement around a new agenda for higher education that is grounded in performance and directed toward meeting the needs of state residents.

The information provided in this section details the challenges states face as they seek to improve college access and success and provide possible policy solutions to problems of preparation, participation, affordability, completion, benefits, finance and student learning. For more information about the history, mission and initial findings of the National Collaborative, please consult our brochure.