Leading Education Researchers Highlight Top 10 Indicators of Quality Colleges

Source

Peterson's

Forums

Related Articles

PRINCETON, N.J., July 21, 1998 -- "Overwhelmed." That's the word typically used by parents and students to describe the college selection process, which includes more than 3,500 accredited colleges and universities in the United States.

To allay these concerns, top education experts and Peterson's, an education company, have developed a personalized college search system that helps students and their parents zero in on the college best for them.

Based on research with more than 700 colleges by the late Dr. Ernest Boyer and his son, education writer and consultant Paul Boyer, the Indicators of Quality Education™ (IQ) system identifies the most important criteria on which students and their parents should focus when evaluating colleges. The IQ system is part of "Peterson's Four-Year Colleges 1999" ($24.95, call 800-338-3282, http://www.petersons.com) guide.

"While generalized college rankings may seem to help narrow the choices, these lists are subjective, heavily weighted on reputation and not tailored to address a student's specific needs. Our system will help students and parents choose a college that best fits their unique requirements," Paul Boyer explained.

Here are key factors that students and parents should look for when evaluating colleges:

• Transition from High School: Colleges should offer an orientation program that begins before classes start and continues throughout the freshman year.
  
  
• Communications and Thinking: The undergraduate experience should include intensive work in writing, speaking, and critical thinking, allowing students to develop the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
  
  
• Core Curriculum: General education courses should be given equal importance to a student's major studies and be designed to enrich their education no matter what their chosen major.
  
  
• Learning Environment: Colleges should foster an environment for learning that ensures all students participate in class discussion, collaborative learning, individual research, and internships.
  
  
• Teaching Factors: Colleges should place a high premium on quality undergraduate teaching, offering introductory courses taught by full-time faculty with a low student-to-teacher ratio.
  
  
• Information Resources: Colleges should not only have a large library, but one that meets the needs of undergraduates. In addition, institutions should offer ample Internet and computing resources.
  
  
• Flexibility: Opportunities should be available for individualized majors, honors and co-op programs, and distance learning.
  
  
• Campus Life: The college community should be a safe one for students, and one that offers diversity in its extracurricular and cultural activities.
  
  
• Student Services: Students should be offered both academic and social support services, with access to tutoring, career planning assistance, psychological counseling, and health services.
  
  
• Miscellaneous: Other factors that are important to consider include size, campus setting, and religious affiliation.
  
  

"With the annual cost of tuition and fees alone now as high as $25,000, a bad match between the student and college is an extremely costly mistake -- both in terms of money and time," said Peterson's Vice President of Guidance Services Michael Ditchkofsky.

Web Site: http://www.petersons.com

CONTACT: Matt Zinman or Mark Sahl for Peterson's, 888-892-6288