International
China’s glass ceiling and feet of clay | China’s impressive higher education accomplishments have masked some significant barriers to the ascent of Chinese universities to the top rungs of global academe, as well as some significant problems at the bottom of the system.
A culture of internationalisation | As the world becomes more interconnected and as each person’s life and career are increasingly affected by global trends, internationalisation has become a movement in much of higher education.
More university mergers on the cards, predicts Moody’s | Many more universities are set to merge or restructure in an effort to save money, a credit rating agency has predicted.
TEF ‘must learn lessons from school and hospital ratings’ | Hepi report says teaching assessment should be delayed to allow for lessons from Ofsted and Care Quality Commission to be incorporated.
U.S. National
Ithaka S+R Higher Ed Insights: Results of the Fall 2015 Survey | To improve degree completion, respondents see the most potential in guided pathways and proactive advising strategies—efforts to provide students with more structured postsecondary experiences, with more support.
As Big-Data Companies Come to Teaching, a Pioneer Issues a Warning | Candace Thille, an education researcher at Stanford U.’s Lytics Lab, says colleges should be careful about letting companies shape the use of big data for learning.
Remedial Programs a Weak Spot at Community Colleges | A new report from the Center for Community College Student Engagement examines weaknesses in developmental education programs at the nation’s community colleges.
End an Unfair Restriction on College Aid | About 200,000 people have been denied help with college costs since a draconian law denying government grants and loans to people with even minor drug offenses took effect in 2000.
College, the Skills Gap, and the Student Loan Crisis | A conversation with economist Marshall Steinbaum on how we should rethink inequality and higher education.
U.S. States
California’s four-year universities reach out to immigrant students with low-interest DREAM loans | Officials at California’s four-year public universities are reaching out to an estimated 10,000 undergraduate students who might qualify for a special loan aimed at reducing their tuition — a program that further distinguishes the state as a national trendsetter in providing services to immigrants who are in the country illegally.
Ohio introduces initiatives to drive down the cost of higher education | Local and state educators joined forces to announce major changes in Ohio higher education.
Coming soon: An affordable college degree? | Battling with affordability and a changing college landscape, public higher-education officials are on the verge of developing a cheaper, faster track for an affordable bachelor’s degree.
Institutional
Crisis-hit KU to start paid evening courses from new academic session | The upcoming academic session is going to be tough for Kashmir University teachers and students as the varsity authorities have decided to start ‘Paid Evening Courses’ with the crumbling infrastructure and shortage of staff.
Small Grants, Big Impact | Interest builds for microgrants aimed at students with money problems — sometimes awards as small as $300 — which can have a big impact in promoting graduation.
Hispanic Serving Institutions: A Home for the In-betweeners | I was first exposed to the term nepantla during my time as a Chicano/a Studies major at the University of California, Santa Barbara, a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Reinvention Initiative Cause for Debate at City Colleges of Chicago | Earlier this month, the Faculty Council announced a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Hyman. Faculty leaders say that there is an inherent conflict between the college’s original mission of providing broad access to Chicagoans across the city and the administration’s current methods of consolidation and improving graduation numbers.
All Students Can Learn, if Given the Right Opportunities | While education has a number of legitimate goals, among the most central are promoting cognitive and socio-emotional development, allowing students to attain general knowledge and skills, and helping students become desirable from the perspective of employers. For the latter, they must graduate.
Chicago State to end school year early to save money | Chicago State University announced Tuesday the elimination of spring break this year to ensure its students will finish the semester before the school may be forced to close down due to a lack of state funding.
Tough Questions for Mount St. Mary’s | Accreditor orders university to provide answers on how recent developments may place it out of compliance with one requirement and four standards.
Note: Additions on February 29, 2016