Illinois Board of Higher Education December 9, 2008

Recommendation 1: Eliminate achievement gaps Goal 1:Increase educational attainment to match best-performing U.S. states and world countries. Recommendation 1: Eliminate achievement gaps Strategies 1. Improve College Readiness 2. Strengthen Teacher and School Leader Quality 3. Improve Access for Students with Disabilities

Recommendation 2: Increase adult completion of college credentials Goal 1:Increase educational attainment to match best-performing U.S. states and world countries. Recommendation 2: Increase adult completion of college credentials Strategies: 1. Increase Support for Adult Students to Complete a Postsecondary Credential 2. Establish Partnerships Aimed at Expanding Opportunities for Adult Learners 3. Strengthen Accountability

2. Strengthen College Readiness Goal 1:Increase educational attainment to match best-performing U.S. states and world countries. Recommendation 3: Reduce geographic disparities Strategies: 1. Expand Capacity 2. Strengthen College Readiness

1. Review Aid Programs for Low-income Students Goal 2: Ensure college affordability for students, families and taxpayers. Recommendation : Make Illinois one of the five most affordable states in nation, measured by : a) % of family income required b) the average amount of debt per student Strategies: 1. Review Aid Programs for Low-income Students

2.Help Students Complete Education Faster Goal 2: Ensure college affordability for students, families and taxpayers. Strategies: 2.Help Students Complete Education Faster 3 Assist Middle-income Students to Qualify for Aid 4. Find Institutional Operating Efficiencies

1. Incentives to Complete Degrees 2. Improve Skill Levels Goal 3: Increase number of quality postsecondary credentials to meet demands of the economy. Recommendation 1: Increase number of people with credentials Strategies 1. Incentives to Complete Degrees 2. Improve Skill Levels 3. Strengthen Accountability

--adult ed to postsecondary ed --remedial to degree-bearing coursework Goal 3: Increase number of quality postsecondary credentials to meet demands of the economy. Recommendation 2: Improve transitions along the education pipeline, from --adult ed to postsecondary ed --remedial to degree-bearing coursework --associate to baccalaureate degrees Strategies 1. Strengthen Articulation 2. Bolster Baccalaureate Completion

--Information Technology Strategies Goal 3: Increase number of quality postsecondary credentials to meet demands of the economy. Recommendation 3: Increase number of degrees in fields of critical skills shortage --Nursing --Allied Health --Information Technology Strategies 1. Expand Capacity

1. Develop Resources and Incentives that Capitalize Strengths Goal 4: Better integrate Illinois’ educational, research, and innovations assets to meet economic needs of the state and its regions. Recommendation :Boost Illinois into the ranks of the five states with fastest growing economies Strategies: 1. Develop Resources and Incentives that Capitalize Strengths 2. Develop P-20 Education Programs for Global Economy 3. Remove Barriers to Entrepreneurial Efforts