| Council Details
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State Plan for Alabama Higher Education
2009-10 to 2013-14
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In March 2008, preparations began for the development of a State Plan for Alabama Higher Education 2009-10 to 2013-14 (State Plan 2009-10 to 1013-14) with the establishment of a twenty-nine member Statewide Planning Advisory Council (Advisory Council) representing public and private, two-year and four-year institutions of higher education, the K-12 community, and business and industry. Institutional representatives were appointed by the members of the Alabama Council of College and University Presidents. Presentation of State Plan 2009-10 to 2013-14 is targeted for March 2009 with implementation scheduled for all stakeholders in April 2009.
The planning process in preparation for the development of State Plan 2009-10 to 2013-14 is structured in four distinct phases.
Phase One Identification of Highest Priorities: In May 2008, the Council agreed to five highest priorities for Alabama higher education through a survey process. Subcommittees of the Advisory Council were appointed to focus on each priority. Major themes for the 2009-10 to 2013-14 emerged. The five highest priorities identified are:
- Increase student preparedness for college and career;
- Establish a preK-20 council;
- Increase college graduates in state in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
- Seek necessary financial resources for Alabama postsecondary education ; and
- Establish a comprehensive workforce development plan.
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Phase Two Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) Analysis: In order to develop strategies that maintain and enhance the State of Alabama’s strengths, capitalize upon the recent opportunities in the state environment, and lessen any weaknesses and threats for higher education in the state, beginning on August 8, 2008, the five subcommittees of the Advisory Council conducted a SWOT analysis of the five priorities to be addressed in the plan. Findings concluded as follows:
- Alabama is a high degree production state with the capacity to produce college graduates.
- There is a strong commitment and interest in the development of a higher education/K12 partnership as demonstrated through programs such as the Engineering Academies, State Scholars Initiative, and the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI).
- The Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education is actively expanding technical training programs across Alabama with the growing number of positions resulting from new companies coming into the state especially in the automotive and aerospace industries.
- Demographic changes suggest a need for a focus on racial disparities among Alabama college educated adults.
- Academic programs at Alabama institutions of higher education are viable in terms of enrollment but the state continues a low, national ranking as regards student success.
- Leadership, oversight, and budgeting for education is fragmented among several entities such as the Governor’s office, Alabama Legislature, Alabama State Board of Education, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and the colleges and universities.
- Becoming economically competitive will necessitate the creation of a technically skilled workforce.
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Phase Three Development of Goals and Strategies: From August to October 2008, the Advisory Council engaged in the development of strategies and action plans for achieving goals to address the five priorities. The following is a ranking of the perceived importance of the top ten goals crafted for inclusion in the State Plan.
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Goals
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Importance Rating
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Priority Area
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1. To increase the number of students majoring in STEM fields.
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8.1
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S.T.E.M.
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2. To increase the number, preparation, and retention of teachers in STEM fields.
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7.8
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S.T.E.M.
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3. Expand sources of higher education revenue.
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7.8
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Financial Resources
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4. Address labor market demands/needs
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7.8
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Workforce Development
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5. Increase graduation rates among two-year and four-year colleges and universities based on current institutional rates. ( (1. Students’ Preparedness)
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7.7
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Students’ Preparedness
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6. Increase labor force participation rates
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7.5
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Workforce Development
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7. To strengthen the infrastructure.
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7.4
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S.T.E.M.
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8. Reduce higher education costs by identifying and sharing proven methods to improve efficiency.
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7.4
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Financial Resources
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9. Build a flexible, unified Workforce education and training system that addresses occupational skills in a range of industry sectors and workers’ stage in the labor market.
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7.2
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Workforce Development
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10. Establish a PK-20 to Workforce Council, to coordinate & advocate toward a fully integrated educational system with funding and assigned administrative responsibilities, and a commitment from the membership to sustain the work.
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7.2
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Pre K to 20 Council
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Phase Four Development of Performance Measures: From November 2008 through February 2009, performance measures will be developed for each of the five highest priorities.
Since May 2008, a collaborative website established at www.highered.alabama.gov/spac and linked through the Commission’s website, has facilitated the work of the Advisory Council and its subcommittees as they develop the framework for State Plan 2009-10 to 2013-14. Planning documents, research materials, and subcommittee assignments are available online, accessible to the Advisory Council and others who are interested in the planning process. Dr. Pamela G. Arrington, Director of Instruction, Planning, and Special Services, ACHE, presents all Council findings and recommendations to the Commission Board on a quarterly basis on behalf of the Advisory Council and its subcommittees.
|
State Plan for Alabama Higher Education
2009-10 to 2013-14
|
In March 2008, preparations began for the development of a State Plan for Alabama Higher Education 2009-10 to 2013-14 (State Plan 2009-10 to 1013-14) with the establishment of a twenty-nine member Statewide Planning Advisory Council (Advisory Council) representing public and private, two-year and four-year institutions of higher education, the K-12 community, and business and industry. Institutional representatives were appointed by the members of the Alabama Council of College and University Presidents. Presentation of State Plan 2009-10 to 2013-14 is targeted for March 2009 with implementation scheduled for all stakeholders in April 2009.
The planning process in preparation for the development of State Plan 2009-10 to 2013-14 is structured in four distinct phases.
Phase One Identification of Highest Priorities: In May 2008, the Council agreed to five highest priorities for Alabama higher education through a survey process. Subcommittees of the Advisory Council were appointed to focus on each priority. Major themes for the 2009-10 to 2013-14 emerged. The five highest priorities identified are:
- Increase student preparedness for college and career;
- Establish a preK-20 council;
- Increase college graduates in state in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
- Seek necessary financial resources for Alabama postsecondary education ; and
- Establish a comprehensive workforce development plan.
|
Phase Two Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) Analysis: In order to develop strategies that maintain and enhance the State of Alabama’s strengths, capitalize upon the recent opportunities in the state environment, and lessen any weaknesses and threats for higher education in the state, beginning on August 8, 2008, the five subcommittees of the Advisory Council conducted a SWOT analysis of the five priorities to be addressed in the plan. Findings concluded as follows:
- Alabama is a high degree production state with the capacity to produce college graduates.
- There is a strong commitment and interest in the development of a higher education/K12 partnership as demonstrated through programs such as the Engineering Academies, State Scholars Initiative, and the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI).
- The Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education is actively expanding technical training programs across Alabama with the growing number of positions resulting from new companies coming into the state especially in the automotive and aerospace industries.
- Demographic changes suggest a need for a focus on racial disparities among Alabama college educated adults.
- Academic programs at Alabama institutions of higher education are viable in terms of enrollment but the state continues a low, national ranking as regards student success.
- Leadership, oversight, and budgeting for education is fragmented among several entities such as the Governor’s office, Alabama Legislature, Alabama State Board of Education, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and the colleges and universities.
- Becoming economically competitive will necessitate the creation of a technically skilled workforce.
|
Phase Three Development of Goals and Strategies: From August to October 2008, the Advisory Council engaged in the development of strategies and action plans for achieving goals to address the five priorities. The following is a ranking of the perceived importance of the top ten goals crafted for inclusion in the State Plan.
|
Goals
|
Importance Rating
|
Priority Area
|
|
1. To increase the number of students majoring in STEM fields.
|
8.1
|
S.T.E.M.
|
|
2. To increase the number, preparation, and retention of teachers in STEM fields.
|
7.8
|
S.T.E.M.
|
|
3. Expand sources of higher education revenue.
|
7.8
|
Financial Resources
|
|
4. Address labor market demands/needs
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7.8
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Workforce Development
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|
5. Increase graduation rates among two-year and four-year colleges and universities based on current institutional rates. ( (1. Students’ Preparedness)
|
7.7
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Students’ Preparedness
|
|
6. Increase labor force participation rates
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7.5
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Workforce Development
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|
7. To strengthen the infrastructure.
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7.4
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S.T.E.M.
|
|
8. Reduce higher education costs by identifying and sharing proven methods to improve efficiency.
|
7.4
|
Financial Resources
|
|
9. Build a flexible, unified Workforce education and training system that addresses occupational skills in a range of industry sectors and workers’ stage in the labor market.
|
7.2
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Workforce Development
|
|
10. Establish a PK-20 to Workforce Council, to coordinate & advocate toward a fully integrated educational system with funding and assigned administrative responsibilities, and a commitment from the membership to sustain the work.
|
7.2
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Pre K to 20 Council
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Phase Four Development of Performance Measures: From November 2008 through February 2009, performance measures will be developed for each of the five highest priorities.
Since May 2008, a collaborative website established at www.highered.alabama.gov/spac and linked through the Commission’s website, has facilitated the work of the Advisory Council and its subcommittees as they develop the framework for State Plan 2009-10 to 2013-14. Planning documents, research materials, and subcommittee assignments are available online, accessible to the Advisory Council and others who are interested in the planning process. Dr. Pamela G. Arrington, Director of Instruction, Planning, and Special Services, ACHE, presents all Council findings and recommendations to the Commission Board on a quarterly basis on behalf of the Advisory Council and its subcommittees.
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