Outcomes from Retention 2007

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Two weeks ago hundreds of us converged on San Antonio for Retention 2007, our second annual international conference on student retention. This year’s event doubled the attendance from 2006, and we’re anticipating a much larger crowd next May in San Diego. Beyond the collective sigh of relief from our staff that we can put “R7,” … Continue reading Outcomes from Retention 2007

Remembering the Alamo

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute In this week’s news, we feature a new study by the DC-based Alliance for Excellent Education, which finds that over $1.4 billion is spent at US two-year institutions for developmental (remedial) education. The issue of remediation continues to become an increasing challenge for educational institutions in the US and Canada. Critics of remedial programming suggest … Continue reading Remembering the Alamo

Climbing the “College Ladder”

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute I have a pet peeve. And it involves all those state and provincial coalitions or organizations or strategies that use the term “K-20.” The “K-20” partnerships, like those found in GEAR UP and other programs, which are supposed to engage practitioners at the secondary and postsecondary levels to provide a seamless transition and opportunity for … Continue reading Climbing the “College Ladder”

Do We Know What to Do?

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute This has been a busy week for educational researchers and for EPI. Two major conferences are happening as I write this commentary: the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) in Anaheim, California, and the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (NPEC) in Washington, DC. Both deal, in part, to expanding access and success at the … Continue reading Do We Know What to Do?

Cosby and the Engineering Kids

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute NOTE: This post was written in 2006, far before the more recent failings of Mr. Cosby (January 17, 2019, WSS) This week I had the honor of attending a fundraising gala in New York City for the National Action Council on Minorities in Engineering, better known as NACME. If you don’t know them, you may … Continue reading Cosby and the Engineering Kids