1 Mid-Term Review of The Illinois Commitment Assessment of Achievements, Challenges, and Stakeholder Opinions Illinois Board of Higher Education April 13, 2004

2 Overview Analysis of achievements to date and key challenges facing Illinois higher education in the next five years Interviews and meetings with key stakeholders within and outside of the higher education community Web-based survey

3 Goal 1: Economic Development Major Achievements A high proportion of Illinois undergraduates are employed or enrolled in further education within one year of graduation Illinois ranks 7 th in the nation in attracting R & D funds Key Challenges Attracting and retaining the intellectual capital necessary to help the state remain competitive in the new economy Maintaining a balance between the liberal arts and workforce preparation Stakeholder Opinions 67% surveyed indicate Illinois higher education has been at least moderately effective in meeting this goal Despite progress since 1999, concerns remain about workforce development, research capacity, and technology transfer

4 Goal 2: P-16 Partnerships Major Achievements Establishment of the Illinois Century Network and the Illinois Virtual High School Significant increase in dual credit/dual enrollment courses Development of the Associate of Arts in Teaching Key Challenges Preparing all Illinois educators to meet the needs of a growing and diverse K-12 population Addressing the college readiness gap Stakeholder Opinions 63% surveyed indicate Illinois higher education has been at least moderately effective in addressing this goal Despite recognized progress in this area, some believe higher education can and should play a stronger role in K- 12 school improvement

5 Goal 3: Affordability Major Achievements Recommendations of the Committee on Affordability ISACs creation of the College Zone serves as a comprehensive planning resource for students and families Key Challenges Implementing the 20 recommendations established by the Committee on Affordability Successfully addressing increasing demands on MAP and other need-based aid programs within the context of limited fiscal resources Stakeholder Opinions Survey respondents indicate Illinois has been the least effective in addressing this goal Many see maintaining college affordability as the highest priority for the future of Illinois higher education

6 Goal 4: Access & Diversity Major Achievements Establishment of the University Center of Lake County, Illinois Century Network, Illinois Virtual Campus, Illinois Community Colleges Online, and the Illinois Articulation Initiative Key Challenges Enhancing college participation for all Illinoisans Responding effectively to changing state demographics to ensure access to a college education for all students Increasing diversity among students, faculty, and staff Stakeholder Opinions 64% indicate Illinois higher education has been at least moderately effective in addressing this goal Improving access for underserved students and smoothing educational transitions are seen as high priorities for the future

7 Goal 5: High Expectations & Quality Major Achievements Sharing institutional best practices in the assessment of student learning outcomes through statewide Assessment Conferences Key Challenges Improving the assessment of student learning and the comprehensiveness of learning outcomes data Maintaining quality programs within limited fiscal resources Stakeholder Opinions 66% indicate Illinois higher education has been at least moderately effective in addressing this goal Stakeholders believe that improvements in the quality of programs and services have been made since 1999 Concerns remain about the ultimate impact of fiscal constraints on educational quality

8 Goal 6: Productivity & Accountability Major Achievements Reducing administrative and support costs by 18.4% at Illinois public universities since Fiscal Year 2002 Implementing annual Results Report and performance indicators Key Challenges Continued reallocation of funds to high priority activities consistent with state needs and institutional mission Working with all stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of higher education accountability mechanisms Stakeholder Opinions Survey respondents indicate Illinois higher education has been the most effective in meeting this goal Some believe that higher education can do more to demonstrate good stewardship of resources

9 Overall Findings Illinois system of higher education has made progress in many of the areas initially established by The Illinois Commitment in 1999 A majority of stakeholders indicate that the states strategic plan has been effective overall and the six goals continue to have value for the future Several challenges and opportunities were identified that will be key to Illinois higher educations continued success

10 Summary of Stakeholder Suggestions Retain the existing six goals, but recognize that priorities among them will change More prominently reflect higher educations contribution to the overall quality of life for Illinois residents Enhance communication of, and buy in to, The Illinois Commitment Enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of accountability mechanisms Clarify the primary purpose of The Illinois Commitment

11 Next Steps A preliminary list of potential refinements to The Illinois Commitment will be presented to the Board for discussion at the June 2004 meeting Following the June meeting, the higher education community and other key stakeholders will be asked to provide input on these refinements Final recommendations will be presented to the Board at the August 2004 meeting