1. The Impact of Higher Education on Regional Development
Multilateral Policy Forum Ditchley Park Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
The Impact of Higher Education on Regional Development
Country Perspective – The United States of America
Paul E. Lingenfelter, State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO)
May 21, 2004
Collaborating with Aims McGuinness, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS)

2. What is coming Short discussion of core issues
Views of regional poverty and higher education in two states, Illinois and Kentucky
Overview of different interventions and outcomes in the U.S.
Overview of Illinois development and Kentucky strategies
Reflections on mechanisms and challenges in regional development

3. Core Issues and a question
The purposes of higher education –
1) To advance and disseminate knowledge
2) To promote social development, economic opportunity and mobility
What are the implications of increased reliance on competitive market forces to allocate resources and programs in higher education?

4. Is economic and social development the work of higher education?
The theory of the leaky bucket:
Conventional economic thinking:
Interventions to reduce inequality compromise economic efficiency
Inequality, however, has both benefits and costs:
Benefits: Incentives for innovation and productive work
Costs: Blunts productive incentives,
Perpetuates incapacity, and
Fuels social conflict

5. Yes: Education is a powerful, efficient remedy for inequality of opportunity
It has durable intergenerational effects
It can (with effort) overcome inherited disadvantage
It creates public goods
It may increase understanding and diminish social conflict

6. Percentage of 1992 High School Graduates Attending College in 1994
Socio-economic status and participation in higher education in the U.S.
Percentage of 1992 High School Graduates Attending College in 1994
By Achievement Test and Socioeconomic Status Quartile
SES Quartile
Lowest
Highest
Achievement Quartile
78%
97%
36%
77%
Source: Access Denied, Department of Education, February 2001

7. Regional inequality in the United States – 2000 census
Families in poverty
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

8. Regional inequality in Kentucky – 2000 census
Families in poverty
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

9. Regional inequality in Illinois – 2000 census
Families in poverty
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

10. Regional inequality in Chicago Metro area – 1970 census
Families in poverty

11. Regional inequality in Chicago Metro area – 1990 census
Families in poverty

12. Observations on regional poverty
Geographical disadvantage is stubbornly persistent
When concentrated, poverty spreads and deepens
Educational achievement without job opportunities produces migration
Without job opportunities, educational incentives are lower
To address regional poverty economic development and human development must go hand in hand

13. U.S. Interventions to address poverty and inequality of opportunity
Focused on individuals
Focused on communities, schools, and families
Focused on regions:
Institutional location and development
Collaborative efforts

14. Interventions focused on individuals
Need-based financial assistance - Pell Grants, state student assistance
TRIO Programs - Counseling and coaching disadvantaged students
Incentives for academic preparation (with or without regard to financial need) - Merit scholarships, 21st Century Scholars, OHLAP
Assistance with academic preparation - Systematic diagnostic testing
Adult Basic Education

15. Interventions focused on schools, communities, families
Community development (general as well as higher education based)
No Child Left Behind
GEAR UP (also early intervention for individuals)

16. Interventions focused on regions
Location of Institutions
Regional planning efforts
Cross-cutting collaboration

17. The sequence of higher education development in Illinois
Phase One – First 100 years
Development from south to north
Public higher education scarce in population centers
Phase Two – 1960 to 1975
Statewide saturation with community colleges
Expansion of public universities
Phase Three – 1995 to present
Creation of multi-institutional collaborative centers

18. Higher Education in Illinois
Location of Private Institutions
(Large numbers in Chicago not shown)
Map Source: Illinois Board of Higher Education

19. Higher Education in Illinois
Location of Public Universities
Map Source: Illinois Board of Higher Education

20. Higher Education in Illinois
Location of Community Colleges
(most established after 1960)
Map Source: Illinois Board of Higher Education

21. Interesting Illinois outcomes after 30 years of a mature system
Illinois years old:
Some college or associate degree
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

22. Interesting Illinois outcomes after 30 years of a mature system
Illinois years old:
Just an Associate Degree
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

23. Interesting Illinois outcomes after 30 years of a mature system
Illinois years old:
Baccalaureate or higher
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

24. U.S. 25-34 years old: Baccalaureate or higher
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

25. Some college or associate degree
Kentucky years old:
Some college or associate degree
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

26. Just an Associate Degree
Kentucky years old:
Just an Associate Degree
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

27. Baccalaureate or higher
Kentucky years old:
Baccalaureate or higher
Map Source: Higheredinfo.org

28. Kentucky Focus

29. Observations from experience
Institutional location, a physical presence, matters
Successful development is multifaceted; individual, community, collaborative strategies are required
Development is difficult, takes time, and is unlikely to yield dramatic results

30. Observations from experience
Development must be an explicit priority, with financial support
Collaboration is essential and difficult
Success requires the institutionalization of commitment

31. The Impact of Higher Education on Regional Development
Multilateral Policy Forum Ditchley Park Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
The Impact of Higher Education on Regional Development
Country Perspective – The United States of America
Paul E. Lingenfelter, State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO)
May 21, 2004
Collaborating with Aims McGuinness, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS)