2021 May MHEC News
POLICY & RESEARCH
Percentage of College Students with Inadequate Technology by Race/Ethnicity, Residence, Class Standing, and Institutional Type: Survey Results in Indiana and Ohio and Barriers to Learning During the Pandemic
Prevalence of Inadequate Technology Among College Students
National and midwestern surveys of technology use among college students suggest that inadequate technology has been a common barrier during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent MHEC report, The Digital Divide Among College Students: Lessons Learned From the COVID-19 Emergency Transition, survey results in Indiana and Ohio revealed that 19% of undergraduates reported having inadequate technology of some type for full participation in online learning, with students reporting inadequate internet access (11%), inadequate hardware (8%), or primary reliance on a cellphone (8%). Similar to national findings, the Indiana-Ohio survey found that students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups were substantially more likely than White students to deal with inadequate technology. Levels of inadequate technology were also higher among students from small-town or rural areas in comparison to those from suburban areas. In addition to technology gaps by race/ethnicity and residential setting, the Indiana-Ohio survey revealed digital divides by academic class and institutional type.
Implications for Policy and Practice
States and institutions can work together to ensure that all students have access to adequate hardware and broadband internet. Institutions might consider putting an emphasis on the provision of large-format, WiFi-enabled mobile devices (such as iPads or Surface tablets) which can remain with each student regardless of where they may find themselves in an emergency. For example, colleges might consider including this hardware as part of the standard financial aid package for students who receive need-based institutional aid. Additionally, states might consider reviewing current broadband policies and legislation with an eye to equity to ensure that policies are expanding broadband access for rural, African-American, Hispanic, and other underserved populations. For example, states might invest in ubiquitous wireless broadband that would allow students to use mobile devices effectively from any location. Many colleges have already worked to make this vision a reality on and around their own campuses and are well-positioned to partner with community and state leaders to craft larger-scale implementations, such as citywide wireless broadband.
For additional survey results and state policy recommendations, see the full report, [The Digital Divide Among College Students: Lessons Learned From the COVID-19 Emergency Transition.
MHEC Launches Regional Alliance with Credential Engine
With over 100,000 credentials offered in the Midwest and no consistent way to review and compare them, it is important to bring clarity and accessibility to information about the full range of credentials leading to careers. On May 13, MHEC and its partner Credential Engine [convened leaders from Midwestern states to launch the Midwest Credential Transparency Alliance (MCTA) to maintain and share accurate information about credentials including diplomas, degrees, licenses, certificates, badges, certifications, and more. Learn more about this initial convening.
With nearly 100 in attendance, the meeting allowed for sharing a draft charter for MCTA, digging deeper into state activities and goals, and idea-sharing through breakout groups. Focus areas were on the topics of coordinated publishing to the credential registry; career pathways, transfer, and prior learning assessment; using microcredentials for equitable mobility; digital records, credentials, and employers; and career exploration end-user tools. MHEC welcomes all those that have an interest no matter how far along they are in the process. For more information or to become involved in ongoing quarterly meetings or action teams contact mcta@mhec.org.
Advisory Group Learns More About Digital Credentialing in the U.S. and Canada
On May 12, members of MHEC's Comprehensive Learner Record Advisory Group heard a presentation highlighting points in the recent Parchment e-transcript contract as well as learning from the data shared on the MHEC states/institutions using Parchment for this service. This information will help guide the group in revising MHEC’s state profile template which will sketch out digital credential usage at secondary and postsecondary levels. The presentation, Digital Credentials at a Statewide Level was given by the following Parchment representatives, Kevin Martin, general manager, higher education; Jason Weaver, vice president, product; and Matt Sterenberg, director, K-12.
The next meeting on May 26, will feature a presentation by Joanne Duklas, executive lead, Association of the Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC). Ms. Duklas will be presenting on Canada’s [MyCreds <https://mycreds.ca/>] ™ the new and official credential wallet for postsecondary learners and graduates. MyCreds™ delivers quick and simple access for students to request and send transcripts, graduation awards, credentials, badges and other educational documents to employers, government agencies, and others.
Dual Enrollment Stakeholders Address Teacher Shortage
As part of its portfolio of efforts related to dual enrollment, MHEC is collaborating with the College in the High School Alliance (CHSA) and the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) to facilitate a series of conversations about the shortage of dual enrollment teachers across the nation. The Dual Enrollment Teacher Pipeline Working Group held its kickoff meeting on April 20. Regional and national stakeholders convened for the virtual event to sketch out the scope of the problem and the challenges faced by those who seek to address the teacher shortage. The group will reconvene over the summer with additional meetings focused on successful efforts already underway, considerations of next generation efforts needed, and contemplations of long-term solutions to the dual enrollment teacher supply crisis. The group’s work will be shared in a paper to be published in fall 2021.
New Report with Key Recommendations in Making Higher Education more Affordable for Students through OER Adoption
The Ohio State University has completed an evaluation of an Ohio statewide textbook affordability initiative. The report is titled Try it, Make it Better, Perfect it: Implementing a Statewide Textbook Affordability Initiative and focuses on the Ohio Open Ed Collaborative (OOEC). OOEC is a statewide initiative to develop open and affordable college course materials. Within this report, the authors analyze the implementation of this program and identify areas of improvement and highlight the successes. MHEC highlighted the OECC in the College Affordability Policy Series report, [College Textbook Affordability: Landscape, Evidence, and Policy Directions.
CONVENINGS
OER in Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Programs: Current Practice and Best Practice
Wednesday, May 26, 1:00 p.m. CT
This webinar will present early findings from a current study funded by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) and the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) to examine current use of OERs in dual and concurrent enrollment courses, and best practices and lessons learned from states and dual enrollment partnerships pioneering these efforts.
Teacher Credentialing: Options and Opportunities
Wednesday, June 2, Noon CT
This session showcases state and multistate efforts underway to increase access to graduate courses for high school teachers. The panelists will discuss their work to expand access to graduate credits needed to meet regional accreditors' requirements for concurrent enrollment instructors.
MHEC Seeks Volunteers for Technology Advisory Groups
MHEC is in need of volunteers for three specific technology advisory groups for Emerging Perspectives, Technology Contracts, and Infrastructure. The Compact relies heavily on and benefits greatly from the wise and generous participation from volunteers through the Midwest. Subject matter experts in the areas of technology, academic, and procurement are desired for each of these groups. Typically, these groups meet no more than once a month, unless working on an RFP (which typically involves 5-6 meetings). Details on these advisory groups and volunteer sign-up are available on the survey form. Additional information about MHEC's Technologies Community is accessible on the MHEC website.
PROGRAMS
NC-SARA Board Approves Modifications to the SARA Policy Manual
The NC-SARA spring board meeting was held virtually on May 4 and 5. The Board discussed 12 modifications to the SARA Policy Manual and 10 were approved. Catherine Gutman-McCabe presented on The Biden Administration’s Higher Education Priorities and provided valuable information on what might be expected from this administration that could affect higher education and state authorization. Meeting materials are available on the NC-SARA website. NC-SARA is hosted a post-board meeting webinar, to provide an opportunity to debrief the NC-SARA Policy Manual changes.
COMMISSIONER NEWS AND APPOINTMENTS
Illinois
Katie Stuart
State Representative; Member, Higher Education Committee
Illinois General Assembly
Term: 5/4/2021 to 1/2/2023
Iowa
Sharon S. Steckman (reappointment)
State Representative; Member, Appropriations & Education Committees
Iowa Legislature
Term: 4/29/2021 to 1/8/2023
Minnesota
Michael Goh
Vice President for Equity and Diversity
University of Minnesota
Term: 4/30/2021 to 1/6/2025
Ohio
On Monday, May 17, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed into law House Bill 2. The legislation introduced by Rep. Rick Carfagna, MHEC vice chair, has been an effort that Rep. Carfagna has worked on for many years. The focus of the legislation is to provide more broadband access and parity throughout the state.
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES OF INTEREST
Equitable Value: Promoting Economic Mobility and Social Justice through Postsecondary Education
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Postsecondary Value Commission | May 2021
The Impact of Career and Technical Education on Postsecondary Outcomes in Nebraska and South Dakota
U.S. Department of Education | May 2021
Pell Grant Recipients Eligible for Discounted Broadband Program
Inside Higher Ed | May 13, 2021
Kudos for Their Use of Federal Relief Funds
Community College Daily | May 12, 2021
The Cost of Economic and Racial Injustice in Postsecondary Education
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce | May 12, 2021
Student Mental Health Services Ecosystem
Education Commission of the States | May 10, 2021
How States Can Utilize American Rescue Plan Funds: Apprenticeships
The Council of State Governments | May 10, 2021
How States Can Utilize American Rescue Plan Funds: Occupational Licensure
The Council of State Governments | May 10, 2021
Promoting Financial Transparency for Students
Higher Ed | May 6, 2021
Mapping Out a ‘Credential As You Go’ Movement For Higher Education
EdSurge | May 4, 2021
‘The Middle: Indianapolis’ — why the story of middle-class progress in the heartland matters
Medium | May 4, 2021
VA Opens New Rapid Retraining Program for Thousands of Vets Who Lost Jobs Due to Pandemic
MilitaryTimes | May 4, 2021
A State-by-State Snapshot of Stranded Credits Data and Policy
Ithaka S+R | May 4, 2021
Launching MilGears — A Simple Yet Powerful Tool
MilitaryTimes | April 21, 2021
The Covid Precautions Colleges Should Take This Fall
The Chronicle of Higher Education | April 21, 2021