Achieving the Dream

Text Size:

Massachusetts

State Lead Organization & Contact l State Profile l Achieving the Dream Priorities l State Documents

STATE LEAD ORGANIZATION & CONTACT
Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place
Cambridge, MA 02108
Tel: 617.994.6950
www.bhe.mass.edu

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education is the coordinating body for the state’s public higher education system comprised of 15 community colleges, nine state colleges, and the five campuses of the University of Massachusetts. The Board of Higher Education serves as an independent advocate for the system of public higher education and is charged with improving the performance measurement and accountability system for public higher education. The Board is committed to ensuring that its institutions use public funds efficiently, avoid unnecessary duplication, and that their programs meet standards of quality required by the state.

State Contact
Francesca Purcell
Director for Academic Policy, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
Email: fpurcell@bhe.mass.edu

STATE PROFILE
A quick overview of state demographics and the state higher education system.
View State Profile pdf image

ACHIEVING THE DREAM WORKPLAN PRIORITIES

1. Data and Performance Measurement - Establish comprehensive student success measures for all community college students, including the two thirds who are not included in the traditional graduate rate measure (IPEDS - first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students who complete within 150 percent of time) while concurrently improving student success by increasing the traditional graduation rate to exceed peer, regional, and national averages within seven years; and increasing educational goal attainment (e.g. course completion, retention, and transfer) for all community college students. Utilize the School-to-College statewide database to improve the connections between student performance in high school and college, and provide such information to educational institutions to help improve student performance.

2. K-12 and Postsecondary Alignment - Increase college readiness through aligning high school curriculum to college standards; instituting early assessments to high school students; and reinstating the statewide dual enrollment program; and developing a statewide web portal to help students research and plan for college and careers. Continue to strengthen relationships and partnerships with state agencies and private and non-profit institutions and organizations committed to the improvement of K-12 and postsecondary alignment.

3. Transfer and Articulation - Improve the seamless transfer of college-level credit among the Commonwealth’s public higher education institutions and the coordination of an effective and efficient transfer system.

STATE DOCUMENTS

> STATE WORKPLAN

(View Full State Workplan pdf image ) **NEW**

Return to Achieving the Dream States