A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Appendix A: Supplemental Information on Performance Indicators (continued)

Supplemental Information on Strategic Plan Performance Indicators
Goals and objectives	Indicators	Illustrative   baseline   or   related   data	Data sources and year(s) to be collected (1997-2002)
Goal 3. Ensure access to postsecondary education and lifelong learning.
3.1 Secondary school students get the information and support they need to prepare successfully for postsecondary education.	1. Postsecondary education enrollment rates will increase each year for all students while the enrollment gap between low- and high-income and minority and non-minority high school graduates will decrease each year.	• High income students enrolled in college at a rate that was 49 percentage points higher than the rate for low-income students. (Analysis of Current Population Survey, 1995) • White students enrolled in college at a rate that was 13 percentage points higher than the rate for black students and 11 percentage points higher than Hispanic students. (Analysis of Current Population Survey, 1995)	• Current Population Survey, annual
	2. Increasing percentages of students age 12 through high school and their parents will have an accurate assessment of the cost of attending college and the aid available for college by 2002.	• In 1996, the general public overestimated postsecondary tuition by $2,330 in two-year public colleges, $3,148 in four-year public universities, and $4,990 in four-year private universities. (American Council on Education survey, 1996) • In 1988, 11.4% of parents of 8th-graders agreed with the statement, "I do not see any way of getting enough money for my 8th-grader to go to college" and 16.5% had not thought about college costs. (Analysis of data from the 1988 National Education Longitudinal Survey)	• A survey of middle school parents will be conducted in 1997. • No determination has yet been made regarding how data will be collected from students.
	3. The percentage of students from age 12 through high school who are aware of the academic requirements for college or postsecondary vocational enrollment will increase annually.	• Baseline to be determined.	• Data source to be determined
	4. By October 2001, there will be a single point of contact that allows students to get information on federal student aid, apply for aid, and have their eligibility for aid determined within four days of electronic application, cutting in half the current processing time. (Requires approval of electronic signature.)	• Current processing of electronic applications is approximately 8 days. (OPE program data, 1997)	• Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) program data
3.2 Postsecondary students receive the financial aid and support services they need to enroll in and complete their educational program.	5. Unmet need (the percent of a student's total cost of education that is not met by student and family contribution and all sources of financial aid)-a measure of opportunity or access to postsecondary education-will show decreases over time, especially for low-income students.	• In 1992-93, percent of unmet need was 30% for all students ranging from 54% for low-income independent students to 4% for upper- income dependent students. (Analysis of data from the 1992-93 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study)	• National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, 1997 and 2001
	6. The percentage of borrowers with student loan debt repayments exceeding 10% of their income will remain stable or decline over time.	• Among 1992-93 bachelor's degree recipients making loan payments, 31% had required payments that were 10% or more of their income. (Analysis of data from the 1994 Baccalaureate and Beyond study)	• Baccalaureate and Beyond Study, 2001
	7. Graduation rates for all students in four-year and two-year colleges will improve, while the gap in completion rates between low- and high-income and minority and non-minority students will decrease.	• Among students in the lowest income quartile entering college in 1990, 34% had graduated by 1994 compared to 57% of students in the highest income quartile. (Analysis of data from the 1994 Beginning Postsecondary Student study) • Among white students entering college in 1990, 51% had graduated by 1994 compared to 42% of black students and 45% of Hispanic students. (Analysis of data from the 1994 Beginning Postsecondary Student study)	• Beginning Postsecondary Student study, 1998 and 2001
	8. Participants receiving support services through the TRIO programs will enroll in and complete postsecondary programs at rates higher than comparable non-participants.	• For low-income, first-generation college students participating in the Student Support Services program, 61% who began at two-year schools and 80% who began at four-year schools were still enrolled in college in the third year. (Student Support Services Evaluation, 1997) • Compared to a control group, 1992 Upward Bound participants earned about one credit (Carnegie unit) more than nonparticipants. Participants earned more credits than non-participants in science, math, English, foreign languages and social studies. (Upward Bound Evaluation, 1997)	• Upward Bound evaluation, 1997 • Student Support Services evaluation, 1999
3.3 Postsecondary student aid delivery and program management is efficient, financially sound, and customer-responsive.	9. Customer satisfaction ratings among students, parents, and postsecondary institutions participating in the student aid programs will increase to 90% by 2001.	• In 1995-96, 79% of postsecondary institutions and 84% of borrowers participating in the FFEL program and 83% of postsecondary institutions and 85% of borrowers participating in the Direct Loan program indicated overall satisfaction with their loan program. (Direct Loan Evaluation, 1997) • In addition, 73% of postsecondary institutions indicated that overall they were pleased with the assistance they received from ED in managing and administering the student aid programs. (Higher Education Survey #20, 1996)	• Direct Loan Evaluation, 1997 and 1998 • Customer Satisfaction Surveys, annual beginning in 1997
	10. The annual number of students and families submitting or renewing their federal student aid applications electronically will continue to increase each year, almost doubling to 3 million by October 2001.	• In the 1996-97 award year, 1.7 million applications were filed electronically. (OPE program data, 1997)	• OPE program data
	11. The accuracy and integrity of data supplied by applicants, institutions, lenders, and guaranty agencies will show continuous yearly improvements.	• Baseline under development.	• Analysis of National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and other systems data
	12. Evaluation of contracts for major OPE financial aid systems will indicate that the government and the taxpayer are receiving "better than fully successful" performance (including quality, cost control, and timeliness).	• Baseline under development.	• Contract performance and monitoring reports are being developed which would be completed monthly for all major contracts
	13. There will be no material internal weaknesses identified in the student aid programs' portions of the Department-wide financial statement audit; and there will be no student aid program issues that prevent ED from receiving an unqualified opinion on the financial statements.	• No material weaknesses were identified in the Pell Grant, Campus-Based, and Direct Loan program portions of ED's 1995 department-wide financial statement audit. Three material internal control weaknesses were cited in the FFEL portion of the audit. (Financial audit, 1995)	• Financial Statement Audits, annual
	14. The percentage of postsecondary institutions found to be in substantial compliance with federal requirements will increase each year.	• Baseline under development.	• OPE/Institutional Participation and Oversight Service data, annual
	15. The annual recovery rate on defaulted student loans will show continuous improvement.	• The recovery rate-the amount collected in a given year divided by the total amount of defaulted loans available for collection-is estimated to be 7% in 1997. (OPE program data, 1997) (The recovery rate appears low because it divides an annual number by a cumulative one. Eventually, ED will collect 60% of the principal and interest owed on defaulted loans.)	• OPE/Debt Collection Service data, annual
	16. The cohort default rates-the percentage of borrowers leaving school who default within two years-for the Federal Family Education Loan and the Direct Loan Program will decline to a level of 10% or less by 2002.	• For borrowers entering repayment in FY 1990 - 1994, default rates were 22.4%, 17.8%, 15.0%, 11.6%, and 10.7 respectively, dropping by more than 52% over the five-year period. (OPE program data, FY 1990-94)	• OPE data, annual
	17. During 1998, the length of time to fully complete a loan consolidation application will average no more than 60-90 days; future surveys of borrowers will show that an increasing percentage of applicants for loan consolidation are highly satisfied with the timeliness and accuracy of the loan consolidation process.	• Baseline to be determined.	• OPE data, annual • Customer Satisfaction Surveys, annual beginning in 1997
	18. By September 1998, ED will have a complete system architecture developed for the delivery of federal student financial aid; implementing this design will improve customer service and increase control over federal costs.	• Baseline to be determined.	• OPE data, annual
3.4 Adults can strengthen their skills and improve their earning power over their lifetime through lifelong learning.	19. The percentage of persons who are aware of and use the Lifetime Learning tax credit will increase annually.	• Baseline to be determined.	• Data from Treasury Department and school surveys, annual
	20. The percentage of persons who maintain competitive employment and earnings 24 months after completion of vocational rehabilitation will increase significantly by 2002.	• Baseline to be determined using the long-term follow up methodology currently being developed as a part of the Section 106 Standards and Indicators. • Baseline also available in 1998 from Vocational Rehabilitation Longitudinal Study.	• Data to be collected periodically using methodology developed for the Section 106 Standards and Indicators • Vocational Rehabilitation Longitudinal Study, 1998
	21. In vocational rehabilitation, the percentage of all persons who obtain competitive employment after receiving vocational rehabilitation services will increase each year.	• 61% currently obtain competitive employment. (Rehabilitation Services Administration State Data, 1996)	• Rehabilitation Services Administration state data, annual
	22. By 2002 the literacy skills of American adults will improve as shown by significantly fewer adults performing at the lowest proficiency level on national assessments.	• Between 40 and 44 million adults performed in the lowest of five proficiency levels. (NALS, 1992)	• National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS II), 2004
	23. Increasing percentages of adults enrolled in beginning adult basic education programs and English as a second language programs will achieve proficiency in basic skills as measured by standardized tests.	• Baseline under development.	• Adult Education Management Information System and its successor, a new national data reporting system, annual • Evaluation of adult education programs

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[Appendix A (part 2 of 4)]

[Appendix A (part 4 of 4)]