SHEF and IPEDS Annual FTE Data: A Comparative Study Professional Development Conference August 15-17, Chicago Takeshi Yanagiura, Data Analyst State Higher Education Executive Officers

Why did we do this study? SHEF Visibility ↑ SHEF increasingly used as a source of information on enrollments and operating revenues for public higher education SHEF increasingly used as a source of information on enrollments and operating revenues for public higher education Alternative Data: IPEDS Other high-profile policy analyses use IPEDS finance and enrollment data (Measuring Up, NCHEMS Funding Adequacy Study) Other high-profile policy analyses use IPEDS finance and enrollment data (Measuring Up, NCHEMS Funding Adequacy Study) We need to understand the nature and magnitude of differences between the two data sources

Annual FTE % Difference IPEDS Relative to SHEF, (Public 4-year and 2-year institutions) *Dept. of Technical & Adult Education (DTAE) institutions were not included in Georgia's SHEF response in % 39.6% -0.5% -20.0% -10.0% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% California Idaho Wisconsin New York Missouri Tennessee Maine Kentucky Pennsylvania Texas Indiana Vermont Ohio Minnesota Hawaii Alaska US Arkansas Virginia Nebraska North Dakota Massachusetts Iowa South Carolina West Virginia Alabama Arizona Louisiana New Mexico North Carolina Utah Maryland Oregon Montana Oklahoma Michigan New Hampshire Mississippi Colorado Wyoming Illinois Connecticut Rhode Island Washington Florida South Dakota New Jersey Delaware Nevada Kansas Georgia*

SHEEO’s Inquiry Timing February – April 2006 February – April 2006 We Provided… Public 2 & 4 yr Annual FTE (AY 2004) from IPEDS Enrollment Survey Public 2 & 4 yr Annual FTE (AY 2004) from IPEDS Enrollment Survey  This is the most recent year for which IPEDS and SHEF annual FTE were available  Prior to , IPEDS FTE estimated from Fall term headcount We asked for… An institution by institution listing of Annual FTE reported to SHEF An institution by institution listing of Annual FTE reported to SHEF Response Rate 34 state agencies responded to SHEEO’s inquiry 34 state agencies responded to SHEEO’s inquiry

Main Findings Differences in SHEF data Relative to IPEDS SUR doesn’t collect Summer FTE SUR doesn’t collect Summer FTE Tribal Colleges Excluded Tribal Colleges Excluded Estimate based on prior year’s data Estimate based on prior year’s data FTE calculation method difference FTE calculation method difference Timing of data collection (End of Term, Census Date) Timing of data collection (End of Term, Census Date) Career Centers, Vocational Training Centers, etc. might be excluded from SHEF even if considered “Public 2-year” in IPEDS Career Centers, Vocational Training Centers, etc. might be excluded from SHEF even if considered “Public 2-year” in IPEDS SHEF excludes non-funded FTE (e.g. Adult Education) SHEF excludes non-funded FTE (e.g. Adult Education)

SHEF and IPEDS: Fundamental Differences Reporting Dates vary by institutions Reporting Dates vary by institutions N = 57 (SHEF) vs. N = Approx (IPEDS) N = 57 (SHEF) vs. N = Approx (IPEDS) State vs. Institutional Perspective State vs. Institutional Perspective Non-funded vs. Funded FTE Non-funded vs. Funded FTE Numeric agreement is not the goal!

Refresh Our Memory I: SHEF FTE Definition 1 Undergraduate FTE = 1 Undergraduate FTE = 30 Credit Hours (for semester systems) 30 Credit Hours (for semester systems) 45 Credit Hours (for quarter systems) 45 Credit Hours (for quarter systems) 900 Contact Hours 900 Contact Hours 1 Graduate/First Professional FTE = 1 Graduate/First Professional FTE = 24 Credit Hours (for semester systems) 24 Credit Hours (for semester systems) 36 Credit Hours (for quarter systems) 36 Credit Hours (for quarter systems) A few states calculate First Professional differently A few states calculate First Professional differently

Refresh Our Memory II: SHEF FTE Definition SHEF FTE Includes: SHEF FTE Includes: Summer FTE (even if it is not state-funded) Summer FTE (even if it is not state-funded) Non-degree credit vocational-technical, remedial and other program enrollments which result in some form of certificate or other formal recognition Non-degree credit vocational-technical, remedial and other program enrollments which result in some form of certificate or other formal recognition SHEF FTE Does Not Include SHEF FTE Does Not Include Non-credit continuing education, adult education, or extension courses, unless they are state-funded. Non-credit continuing education, adult education, or extension courses, unless they are state-funded.

With Identical Institutions Public 2 Public 4 Public 2&4 All Responded States’ Avg. -0.8%1.4% 0.6 % The Largest Difference 20.0%34.6%24.4% IPEDS FTE relative to SHEF FTE

IPEDS Relative to SHEF FTE With Identical Institutions: Public 2-year (States responding to SHEEO’s inquiry Only)

IPEDS Relative to SHEF FTE With Identical Institutions: Public 4-year (States responding to SHEEO’s inquiry Only)

IPEDS Relative to SHEF FTE With Identical Institutions: Public 2- and 4-year Combined (States responding to SHEEO’s inquiry Only)

Implications Over-time Consistency is the most important factor in SHEF Over-time Consistency is the most important factor in SHEF If you want to change FTE reporting method to SHEF, please do so at least from FY 2001, preferably from FY 1991 If you want to change FTE reporting method to SHEF, please do so at least from FY 2001, preferably from FY 1991