Two-thirds of U.S. school districts eliminated personnel in the 2010-11 school year, and nearly three-quarters expected to cut more jobs in the 2011-12 school year, according to ...]]>

A quarter-million jobs in education are in jeopardy next school year, according to the latest economic impact survey by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).

Two-thirds of U.S. school districts eliminated personnel in the 2010-11 school year, and nearly three-quarters expected to cut more jobs in the 2011-12 school year, according to the Projection of National Education Job Cuts for the 2011-12 School Year.

AASA surveyed school superintendents in May 2011. This sample size represents roughly 8% of U.S. school districts. Based on this representative sample, AASA projects that approximately 227,000 jobs are at risk of being cut in schools across the U.S.

The education job losses will translate into larger class sizes, pushing pupil‐to‐teacher ratios from the current 15.5-to-1, to 16.8-to-1, according to AASA.

In addition, the education job cuts will result in more than 67,ooo jobs lost in other sectors, for a total job loss of across all job sectors of 294,500.

For the past several years, NEJHE has published data from the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) on the economic impact in New England of both K-12 schools and colleges and universities.

Students who left postsecondary institutions before earning a degree or certificate—and students who attended two-year and for-profit institutions—faced delinquency on their student loans at much higher rates than their peers, according to a new study released by the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP).

Delinquency: The Untold Story of Student Loan Borrowing, ...]]>

Students who left postsecondary institutions before earning a degree or certificate—and students who attended two-year and for-profit institutions—faced delinquency on their student loans at much higher rates than their peers, according to a new study released by the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP).

Delinquency: The Untold Story of Student Loan Borrowing, by Alisa F. Cunningham and Gregory S. Kienzl, examines recent patterns in student borrowing behavior, particularly among students who become delinquent on their loan payments, but who do not go into default. Until now, the study authors suggest, the size and experience of this delinquent group have not figured highly in discussions about aid policy and financial literacy.

The study charts the behavior of more than 8.7 million borrowers and focuses on those that entered repayment in 2005.  While 15% of this cohort defaulted on their loans within five years, a full 26% faced delinquency—and its negative consequences—at some point during the same time frame without defaulting. Borrowers who fail to make a loan payment within 60 days of its due date are considered delinquent and may be reported to credit bureaus. Those who slip into delinquency, even when they become current on repayment again, also face higher interest payments on their loans.

Nearly 60% of postsecondary dropouts and more than half of community college and for-profit borrowers from the 2005 cohort were delinquent or had defaulted on their loans.

By way of comparison, 37% of borrowers in the 2005 cohort made successful progress toward repaying their loans, avoided delinquency and default. Additionally, 23% took advantage of loan-deferment or forbearance policies in the course of their repayments, but likewise avoided delinquency.

The authors of the study stress that, as tuition costs and student borrowing increase each year, policymakers should focus on the causes and consequences of delinquency. Higher education stakeholders, in addition to pushing access and persistence agendas, should stress the importance of debt management and financial literacy for student borrowers, especially among those more likely to face delinquency and default. Such a move, they say, would “improve borrowers’ experiences [and save] taxpayers’ money.”

Findings presented in the latest issue of Postsecondary Education Opportunity put a new twist on the adage “the harder you work, the luckier you get.” In fact, it may be true that the older you are, the harder you work.

The latest issue of the data-rich newsletter published monthly by higher education analyst Thomas ...]]>

Findings presented in the latest issue of Postsecondary Education Opportunity put a new twist on the adage “the harder you work, the luckier you get.” In fact, it may be true that the older you are, the harder you work.

The latest issue of the data-rich newsletter published monthly by higher education analyst Thomas G. Mortenson and his colleagues explores “Time Use of Full-Time College Students Ages 18 to 24 Years 2003 to 2009." Using data from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS), the report finds 24-year olds spend and average of 3.6 hours per day during school months going to class and doing homework, compared with just 2.8 hours per day for 18-year old students. While older students spend more time then their younger counterparts in class and doing homework, the overall average for 18-24-year-olds is 3.3 hours, which begs the question for some: What are students doing at college?

According to ATUS results, full-time college students ages 18 to 24 spend the majority of their hours sleeping (9 hours per day), followed by 3.9 hours for education and 3.9 hours for leisure activities/sports. The “education” category encompasses class time, as well as outside time devoted to research and homework. Leisure activities include arts and entertainment, social events and relaxing. On average, 18-to-24-year-olds spend just one hour per day “eating and drinking,” and 0.8 hours per day “grooming,” including washing and dressing.

Results also varied by gender and race/ethnicity.

While men spend an average of 80 minutes more per day on leisure activities/sports than women do, women spend an average of 3.4 hours on education compared to 3.1 hours for men.

With respect to race and ethnicity, Asians averaged 4.7 hours per day on educational activities, the highest of the categories, followed by 3.4 hours for Hispanics, 3.2 hours for white students, and 3 hours for black students. When “educational activities” are dissected, according to the article, it appears that white students spend the least amount of time in the classroom, averaging about 1.6 hours per day.

The ATUS results have several implications: For one, they generate questions surrounding the purpose of the university. With the rise in distance learning, some argue that students who take courses online do not receive the same educational benefit as those students who physically attend classes. And as the numbers show, with students spending more time sleeping and engaged in social, athletic or leisure activities than in class and doing homework, distance learners may be missing out on “real” college life.

For a wealth of education data, subscribe to Postsecondary Education Opportunity.

Related Posts: Leading Indicator: New England's Higher Education Economy by Thomas G. Mortenson

"Science courses belong in the liberal arts curriculum for the benefit of both science and non-science majors."

That's one of the main findings in a study released by the Cambridge, Mass.-based American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Science and the Educated American: A Core Component of Liberal Education warns that the pace of scientific and technological change ...]]>

"Science courses belong in the liberal arts curriculum for the benefit of both science and non-science majors."

That's one of the main findings in a study released by the Cambridge, Mass.-based American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Science and the Educated American: A Core Component of Liberal Education warns that the pace of scientific and technological change means all adults should be prepared to learn and evaluate new science information after they leave schooling.

Among the report's major themes:

• Without a basic level of scientific literacy, the public cannot rely on even the best science journalism and communications to help them make informed decisions about science issues.
• Science courses belong in the liberal arts curriculum for the benefit of both science and non-science majors.
• Teaching science should convey the wonders and rewards of science but also the limits of science and dangers of misapplying it.
• Science and the humanities have much more in common than is generally appreciated.

In June, I was at an orientation for a major New England university where one speaker was extolling the non-careerist aspect of liberal arts, noting with a wink: "It’s not as if BP is going to go hire a vice president of philosophy … but maybe they should.”

The audience understood his wink. Philosophy is the discipline often invoked to flaunt the non-practical nature of the the liberal arts. And at the time, BP was spilling millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico and handling the blame badly.

****

About 10% of the Boston College Carroll School of Management (CSOM) Class of 2011 and 25% of the CSOM Class of 2012 are pursuing a double major or minor in a liberal arts field, according to The Heights, the Boston College student newspaper, which has been running a series on liberal arts.

CSOM administrators observed that "other local colleges, such as Babson and Bentley, which are business-focused in their undergraduate education, incorporate relatively little of the liberal arts into the undergraduate education."

The percentage of state lawmakers who are women will shrink to 23% in 2011, down slightly from almost 25% in 2010, according to a new report by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

This reverses a trend in which women made up a larger proportion of state legislatures each year back to 2005 when women ...]]>

The percentage of state lawmakers who are women will shrink to 23% in 2011, down slightly from almost 25% in 2010, according to a new report by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

This reverses a trend in which women made up a larger proportion of state legislatures each year back to 2005 when women comprised just over 22%.

While New England legislatures have included more women historically, the region suffered a much larger loss than the nation at large.  In 2010, 32% of state legislators in New England were women; in 2011, just over 27% will be.  This drop was driven by New Hampshire, where 53 women lost seats in the legislature. Among other New England results, Connecticut lost five women legislators, Maine lost tow and Massachusetts lost six.

Vermont and Rhode Island were the only two states to  gain women in their legislatures. Rhode Island has traditionally lagged behind the U.S. average in the percentage of women in its legislature, but with this year's gains, the Ocean State joins all the other New England states in above-average representation of women.

Vermont has traditionally had the highest proportion of women in its legislature in the region and the second-highest in the nation. Its legislature is 38% women. The state with the highest proportion in the country is Colorado with 39%.  The percentages in the New England states are:

Connecticut: 29%
Maine: 28%
Massachusetts: 23%
New Hampshire: 25%
Rhode Island: 26%
Vermont: 38%

Related Posts: How New England Fared in the 2010 Midterm Elections; Special Policy Report: A High-Stakes Election for New England; Boys Club Connection Fall 2000 (pdf)

It’s over. Gone are the acrimonious debates, boisterous crowds, vicious campaign attack ads, incessant robo calls and campaign paraphernalia cluttering street corners, highways, lawns and sidewalks. The voters have spoken in New England and across the nation.

Nationally, Republicans swept races for governor, the state legislatures and the U.S. Congress. According to the National Conference of ...]]>

It’s over. Gone are the acrimonious debates, boisterous crowds, vicious campaign attack ads, incessant robo calls and campaign paraphernalia cluttering street corners, highways, lawns and sidewalks. The voters have spoken in New England and across the nation.

Nationally, Republicans swept races for governor, the state legislatures and the U.S. Congress. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Republicans now control the U.S. House of Representatives 240 to 186, where they added more than 60 seats, with nine races still to be resolved. In the U.S. Senate, Democrats managed to hang on by a margin of 53 to 46. The results of Alaska’s Senate race are still to be determined.

NCSL also reported that Republicans added seats in state legislatures across the U.S., with the largest gains in the East, especially in New England.

Republican gains in state legislatures by region

East                          229
Midwest                   211
South                        177
West                          94

Nationwide, Republicans picked up five additional governorships. NCSL reports that 32 states will be under new governors, including Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont. Four of the six New England governors are Democrats. An Independent and a Republican round out the field. Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont will have new legislative leaders.

Voting trends

Nationwide, voting trends played a huge role in the outcome. Less than 21% of 18- to 29-year-olds showed up at the polls, compared with 51% in 2008, when President Barack Obama was elected.

Also, Independent voters switched their leanings in the 2010 elections, according to William A. Galston, senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. In 2006, 57% of Independents voted for Democrats, while 39% voted for Republicans. In the 2010 election, 55% of Independents chose Republicans, while 39% voted for Democrats. The Pew Research Center reports that “conservatives” as a share of total Independents rose from 29% in 2006 to 36% in 2010.”

Gallup reported similar results, adding that moderates declined from 46% to 41% from 2006 to 2010. The Blue Dog Coalition or Blue Dog Democrats—fiscal conservatives with centrist positions—lost its clout in the 2010 midterm elections. Less than half were re-elected. New England’s lone Blue Dog, Congressman, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud of Maine, was re-elected surviving a challenge by Republican Jason Levesque.

Redistricting

With current voting trends expected to continue into the next election cycle, the role of state legislatures in 2012, will be especially significant as states begin the process of redistricting. The drawing of state legislative districts and congressional districts must include the latest census figures. The party in power has everything to say about how these districts will be drawn.

In the upcoming redistricting, Massachusetts is expected to lose one congressional seat, reducing the number of seats to nine. No other New England state is expected to lose any congressional seats.

The loss of an additional congressional seat contributes to an already gloomy outlook for the region, which had claimed key leadership positions when Democrats were the party in power in Washington.

The outlook for state budgets

For the past two budget cycles, governors and legislators have had to continue to make deep budget cuts but federal stimulus funds provided some help in preserving jobs and services. For FY 2012, with stimulus funds just about dried up, state budget cuts promise to be severe. Medicaid will continue to be a budget-buster in all states. Reducing health care costs will be a priority, as the Health Care Act or Obama Care requires that states develop systems where consumers can purchase health care by 2014. Governors are expressing concern that the technology required to design such systems will be extremely costly and there will be no funds for such expenses.

NCSL executive director William Pound expects higher education to be on the chopping block, as well, despite rhetoric form Democrats and Republicans that educational attainment is a key factor in restoring the American economy and making the U.S. competitive in the global marketplace.

New England highlights

• Democrat Dan Malloy wins governor’s race in Connecticut defeating Republican Tom Foley
• Democrat Richard Blumenthal will replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, also a Democrat.
• Connecticut Democratic U.S. House members prevail in hard-fought contests.
• Maine elects Republican Paul LePage as governor
• Republicans take control of Maine state Legislature
• Massachusetts re-elects Gov. Deval Patrick and all members of the Bay State’s congressional delegation
• Republicans pick up 15 seats in Massachusetts state Legislature
• Ballot question to cut sales tax is rejected by Massachusetts voters
• New Hampshire Republicans take back control of state Legislature
• Republican Kelly Ayotte wins U.S. Senate race, while fellow Republicans Charlie Bass and Frank Guinta, former mayor of Manchester, prevail in congressional races
• New Hampshire’s Democratic Gov. John Lynch is re-elected to unprecedented fourth term
• Rhode Island elects Lincoln Chafee, its first Independent governor in 156 years
• Vermonters elect Democrat Peter Shumlin as governor
• U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, wins easily
• Vermont voters give 17-year-olds the right to vote.

State by state

Connecticut elects Democratic governor, keeps Democrats in DC, statehouse

In a striking similarity to Florida’s 2000 presidential election results, Connecticut’s Secretary of State Susan Byciewicz found herself in the hot seat, as Bridgeport’s votes became the focus of determining the outcome of the governor’s race. After the final tallies of Bridgeport’s votes were made available on Friday, Nov. 5, Byciewicz’s office declared Malloy the winner in the governor’s race.

Attorney General Blumenthal will fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Dodd. Blumenthal defeated Linda McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment who poured $50 million of her own money into the race. In Connecticut’s congressional races, John Larson handily won his bid for re-election in the 1st district. Joe Courtney prevailed in the 2^nd district, while Rosa DeLauro won in the 3^rd district. Connecticut’s 4^th and 5^th districts saw the closest races where first term Congressman Jim Himes won a very close race against challenger state Sen. Dan Debicella in the 4^th district. Chris Murphy beat back a strong challenge from state Sen. Sam Caligiuri in Connecticut’s 5^th district.

Connecticut’s General Assembly remains under control of Democrats, though Republicans made inroads. The House is poised to re-elect Chris Donovan as speaker, while Don Williams has the support of his Democratic colleagues to continue as Senate president. Former House Majority Leader Denise Merrill won her bid for secretary of state.

Governor

Dannel Malloy (D) 4
Thomas Foley (R)
Tom Marsh (I)
Warren Mossler (I)

U.S. Senate
Richard Blumenthal (D) 4
Linda McMahon (R)

U. S. House of Representatives

District 1
John Larson (D) 4
Ann Brickley (R)

District 2
Joe Courtney (D) 4
Janet Peckinpaugh (R)

District 3
Rosa DeLauro (D) 4
Jerry Labriola (R)

District 4
James Himes (D) 4
Dan Debicella (R)

District 5
Christopher Murphy (D)4
Sam Caligiuri (R)

Maine goes Republican across the board

Republican Paul LePage, the mayor of Waterville, edged out Independent Elliot Cutler to become Maine’s first Republican governor since 1990. The Democrat, former Senate President Libby Mitchell, came in third.

In the state’s two congressional districts, Chellie Pingree , won re-election in the 1^st district and Michaud in the 2^nd district. Democrats did not fare as well in the state Legislature where Republicans now have 77-to-74 edge in the House and a 20-to-14 edge in the Senate, with one recount possible. This is the first time since the 1970s that Republicans have controlled both branches. Kevin Raye appears to have the support of his colleagues to lead the Senate. Four Republicans are vying for speaker of the House, including Stacey Fitts, Paul David, Patrick Flood and Robert Nutting. Emily Cain has expressed interest in the Minority Leader’s post. Cain chaired the Appropriations Committee. Seth Berry is also interested in this position. Republicans will caucus on Nov. 12 to elect their leaders; Democrats have tentatively scheduled a caucus for Nov. 18.

Maine voters approved a $5 million bond issue to increase access to dental care in Maine by a margin of 52% to 48%.

Governor

Paul LePage (R) 4
Elliot Cutler (I)
Libby Mitchell (D)

U.S. House of Representatives

District 1
Chellie Pingree (D) 4
Dean Scontras (R)

District 2
Michael Michaud (D) 4
Jason Levesque (R)

Massachusetts stays Democratic , small gains by GOP In Mass. House

Massachusetts voters re-elected Gov. Patrick who prevailed over Republican Charles Baker and Independent Tim Cahill. Massachusetts Democrats turned out in large numbers to mitigate the effects of the Scott Brown election and re-elected Democrats at every level. Patrick had 48% of the vote, Baker 42% and Cahill 8%.

All members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation running for re-election won handily. Retiring Congressman Bill Delahunt’s seat stayed in the Democratic column, going to District Attorney William Keating, who prevailed in a close election defeating Republican state Rep. Jeff Perry. Barney Frank who faced his toughest re-election to date, won 54% to Sean Bielat’s 43%.

Republicans did pick up 17 seats in the State House, the party’s largest gain in decades. There were no Republican gains in the Senate. The leadership in the House and Senate is not expected to change with Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo.

Voters rejected Question 3 on the ballot, which would have reduced the sales tax from 6.25% to 3%. Voters also approved removing the sales tax on alcoholic beverages, which by state law is already subject to an excise tax. Revenue from the sales tax, however, had been allocated to support substance abuse and prevention programs.

Governor

Deval Patrick (D) 4
Charles Baker (R)
Tim Cahill (I)
Jill Stein (Green Party)

U.S. House of Representatives

District 1
John Olver (D) 4
Bill Gunn (R)
Michael Engel (I)

District 2
Richard Neal (D) 4
Tom Wesley (R)

District 3
Jim McGovern (D) 4
Marty Lamb (R)

District 4
Barney Frank (D) 4
Sean Bielat (R)

District 5
Niki Tsongas (D) 4
Jon Golnik (R),
Dale Brown (I)
Bob Clark (I)

District 6
John Tierney (D) 4
Bill Hudak (R)

District 7
Edward Markey (D) 4
Gerry Dembrowski (R)

District 8
Michael Capuano (D) 4

District 9
Stephen Lynch (D) 4
Vernon Harrison (R)
Phil Dunkelbarger (I)

District 10
William Keating (D) 4
Jeff Perry (R)
Maryanne Lewis (I)
Jim Sheets (I)
Joe VanNes (Bring Home the Troops)

New Hampshire sweeps in Republicans

New Hampshire followed a nationwide trend and elected Republicans to the U.S. Congress and the state legislature. Gov. Lynch, a Democrat, was elected to an unprecedented fourth two-year term.

Democratic Congressman Paul Hodes lost his bid for the U.S. Senate to state Attorney General Ayotte, who had the backing of New Hampshire Republicans as well as Sarah Palin and the Tea Party. Republican Guinta beat incumbent Carol Shea-Porter in New Hampshire’s 1^st district, while former Congressman Bass edged out Democrat Ann Kuster in the 2^nd district.

Republicans swept elections in the state legislature, which is the largest legislative body in the United States with 424 members. It now appears that Republicans will control the House by a margin of 300 to 100. In June 2010, Democrats outnumbered Republicans 224 to 176. The New Hampshire Senate also went to Republicans who now outnumber Democrats, 19 to 5. Democrats held a majority of 14 to 10 for the past four years.

Governor

John Lynch (D) 4
John Stephen (R)

U.S. Senate

Kelly Ayotte (R) 4
Paul Hodes (D)

U.S. House of Representatives

District 1
Frank Guinta (R) 4
Carol Shea Porter (D)

District 2
Charlie Bass (R) 4
Ann Kuster (D)

RI elects Independent for gov, keeps Democrats in Congress, statehouse

For the first time in more than 150 years, Rhode Island voters elected a governor who is not affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican party. Independent Chafee edged out Republican John Robitaille 36% to 34%. with Democrat Frank Caprio placing third at 23%. President Obama did not endorse Caprio in what many saw as showing deference to Chafee who supported Obama for president.

In Rhode Island’s congressional races, U.S. Rep. James Langevin won re-election in Rhode Island’s 2^nd district, while Democratic Mayor of Providence, David Cicilline was elected in the 1^st district, replacing Patrick Kennedy, who did not seek re-election.

Rhode Island’s General Assembly remains in the hands of Democrats. Current Speaker Gordon Fox is expected to keep his post, while Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed appears to be the choice of her colleagues for the next legislative session.

Governor
Lincoln Chafee (I) 4
John Robitaille (R)
Frank Caprio (D)
Ken Block (Moderate Party)

U.S. House of Representatives

District 1
David Cicilline (D) 4
John Loughlin (R)
Gregory Raposa (I)

District 2
James Langevin (D) 4
Mark Zaccaria (R)

Vermont goes decidedly Democrat

Democrat Peter Shumlin was elected governor in a close race with Lt. Governor Brian Dubie. Only 4,000 votes separated the two candidates. Vermont law states that if both candidates get less than 50% of the vote, the legislature decides who will be elected. Dubie has indicated he has no intention of pursuing a challenge.

At the congressional level, both U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch won re-election.

Completing a decidedly Democratic victory at all level of government, the Vermont General Assembly remains in the hands of Democrats. The House gives Democrats a clear majority, 93 Democrats, 49 Republicans, five Progressives and three Independents. Republicans picked up a seat in the Senate, but Democrats control the chamber 22 to 8.

Vermont voters approved a ballot measure to give 17-year-olds the right to vote if they turn 18 by the time of the General Election.

Governor
Peter Shumlin (D) 4
Brian Dubie (R)

U.S. Senate

Patrick Leahy (D) 4
Len Britton (R)

U.S. House of Representatives
Peter Welch (D) 4
Paul Beaudry (R)

____________________________________________________________

Carolyn Morwick is a consultant at NEBHE and former director of the Caucus of New England State Legislatures.

Average student loan debt grew to an average of $24,000 per student in the Class of 2009, up 6% over the Class of 2008, according to the latest national report from The Project on Student Debt.

The report is especially worrisome for New England where all six states have higher student debts levels than the national ...]]>

Average student loan debt grew to an average of $24,000 per student in the Class of 2009, up 6% over the Class of 2008, according to the latest national report from The Project on Student Debt.

The report is especially worrisome for New England where all six states have higher student debts levels than the national average. New Hampshire had the second highest debt load in the nation behind Washington D.C. by $590. Massachusetts is the closest to the national average.

Here are the results for the six New England states from highest debt to lowest debt.

New Hampshire - $29,443
Maine - $29,143
Vermont - $27,786
Rhode Island - $26,573
Connecticut - $25,038
Massachusetts - $24,484

U.S. Average - $24,000

New England is home to four of the 21 highest-debt public universities and six of the 20 highest-debt private colleges and universities. Williams College is the only New England college among the nation's 20 lowest-debt schools.

The states with the lowest average student debt are: Utah, Georgia, Nevada, Wyoming and Delaware.

Most colleges reported an increase in student applications for fall 2009 admission, while 29% reported decreases (the largest proportion since 1996), according to the 2010 State of College Admission report released Wednesday by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

The share of applicants offered admission at four-year institutions was 67%  for ...]]>

Most colleges reported an increase in student applications for fall 2009 admission, while 29% reported decreases (the largest proportion since 1996), according to the 2010 State of College Admission report released Wednesday by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

The share of applicants offered admission at four-year institutions was 67%  for the fall 2009 admission cycle. The average institutional yield rate was 43%, down from 49% in 2001. In other words, institutions, on average, are enrolling a smaller percentage of their accepted students.

It is difficult for colleges and universities to determine how many accepted students will enroll, due to a rise in applications submitted. The economic downturn may also have an impact on enrollment with more students waiting to compare financial aid packages before committing to an institution.

The number of new high school graduates in the U.S. peaked at 3.33 million in 2008-09, but dropped to 3.29 million in 2009-10. After more than a decade of steady growth, the number of graduates is projected to continue to decline through 2014-15, but rebound to 3.4 million by 2018-19.

Employed wives brought home 47% of their family's total earnings in 2009, up from 45% in 2008, according to a new report by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.

That “marks the largest single-year increase in 15 years,” according to the report Wives as Breadwinners: Wives’ Share of Family Earnings Hits Historic High ...]]>

Employed wives brought home 47% of their family's total earnings in 2009, up from 45% in 2008, according to a new report by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.

That “marks the largest single-year increase in 15 years,” according to the report Wives as Breadwinners: Wives’ Share of Family Earnings Hits Historic High during the Second Year of the Great Recession.

The report's author Kristin Smith notes that the increase is not a sign of less wage disparity between men and women, but a disproportionate increase in the unemployment rate among males.  The median salary for women actually fell from $31,041 in 2007 to $30,000 in 2009.  The unemployment rate for husbands in these families jumped from 3% in 2007 to 7% in 2009.

Smith's earlier study noted that as the husband’s level of education increases, the wife’s proportional contribution decreases.  In families where a husband had less than a high school education, her contribution was 52%. When he had a college degree, her contribution was 40%.

In February 2010, The New England Journal of Higher Education published a study, Failure to Launch, by Lane A. Glen and Suzanne Van Wert.  This study shows that the achievement gaps between males and females is getting worse and that 80% of high school dropouts now are males.  Combining these two studies suggests that the importance of the wife as the “breadwinner” in a family will continue to grow in the future.

Like the traditional four seasons in New England, election season has the potential to bring about stunning change. This year, races at the gubernatorial, federal and state legislative levels will have significant impacts on education and policy in the region for years to come.

The political landscape in New England will be dramatically altered following the ...]]>

Like the traditional four seasons in New England, election season has the potential to bring about stunning change. This year, races at the gubernatorial, federal and state legislative levels will have significant impacts on education and policy in the region for years to come.

The political landscape in New England will be dramatically altered following the Nov. 2 midterm elections. At least four of the six New England states will elect new governors. Governors M. Jodi Rell (R-Conn.), John E. Baldacci (D-Maine), Donald Carcieri (R-R.I.) and James Douglas (R-Vt.) are not seeking re-election. Deval Patrick (D-Mass.) and John Lynch (D-N.H.) are seeking re-election, but both face challengers.

At the federal level, two new U.S. senators will be elected from Connecticut and New Hampshire. Democrat Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Republican Judd Gregg of New Hampshire are not seeking re-election. In addition to the Senate seats, two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives opened up when William Delahunt of the 10^th Congressional District in Massachusetts retired, and Paul Hodes of the 2^nd Congressional District in New Hampshire vacated his post to run for Gregg’s Senate seat.

In what some are calling, “the Scott Brown factor”, House members from each New England state are being challenged, except Mike Capuano (D-Mass.) who is running unopposed. Members of New England’s congressional delegation occupy positions on key committees. But in recent years, the region’s clout has waned. New England’s influence on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions has diminished considerably with the passing of Edward M. Kennedy who chaired the HELP Committee, and the retirements of Dodd and Gregg. The remaining New Englanders on the committee include Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Dodd also chaired the powerful Senate Committee on Banks, Housing and Urban Affairs.

With anger running high among voters and jobs front and center, those seeking to be re-elected are in many cases facing strong opposition. Depending on the outcome of midterm elections, key committees in congress, which influence education, workforce development policy and investment may undergo more changes.

Current members of these committees from New England are as follows:

House Budget Committee

Focus: setting total spending limits for the federal budget

New England members: James McGovern (D-Mass.), Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.)

House Appropriations Committee

Focus: discretionary federal funding, Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies determines funding levels for job training, education and human services based on House Budget Committee funding targets

New England members: Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), John Olver (D-Mass.)

House Education and Labor Committee

Focus: federal programs in education from preschool through higher education, including Workforce Investment Act, Higher Education Act, Perkins Act for Career, Technical Education and Adult Basic Education

New England members: John Tierney (D-Mass.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Carol Shea Porter (D-N.H.)

House Ways and Means Committee

Focus: all federal tax policies, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Trade Adjustment Assistance

New England members: John Larson (D-Conn.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.)

Senate Budget Committee

Focus: sets total spending limits for the federal budget

New England members: Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)

Senate Appropriations Committee

Focus: sets funding levels for job training, education and human services

New England members: Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-R.I), who is a member of the key Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions  (HELP) Committee

Focus: authorizes Workforce Investment Act, Higher Education Act, Perkins Act, Adult Basic Education.

New England members: Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Dodd and Gregg are members of the key Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety until 12/31/10.)

Senate Finance Committee

Focus: Authorizes all federal tax policies, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Trade Adjustment Assistance.

New England members: John Kerry (D-Mass.), Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) Neither Kerry nor Snowe are members of the key Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and Family Policy.

Contested Races in New England

Connecticut

Governor

Thomas Foley (R)

Dannel Malloy (D)

Tom Marsh (I)

Warren Mossler (I)

Democrat Malloy, a former prosecutor and mayor of Stamford will face off with Republican businessman, Foley. Latest polls show the race tightening with Foley gaining. The latest Quinnipiac University poll gives Malloy a 3-point lead, while Rasmussen polls say Malloy is up by 5 points. The polls also indicate that Independent voters are breaking for the Republican candidate, Foley.

U.S. Senate

Richard Blumenthal (D)

Linda McMahon (R)

This Senate seat has been vacated by long time Democratic Sen. Dodd, who chose not to seek re-election. Attorney General Blumenthal, a Democrat, hopes to prevail over Republican McMahon, former head of World Wrestling Entertainment, a Stamford based company. The latest Rasmussen poll shows Blumenthal leading with 54% to McMahon’s 43%.

U. S. House of Representatives

District 1

John Larson (D)

Ann Brickley (R)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Larson has served six terms and is currently part of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s leadership team and a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Larson is facing a tough fight from Republican Brickley, a professional engineer, who worked for United Technologies Corp. and GE. Brickley has moved up in the polls and now trails Larson by 7 points.

District 2

Joe Courtney (D)

Janet Peckinpaugh (R)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Courtney, who is seeking a third term, is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee. He is being challenged by Republican Peckinpaugh, a small business owner. The latest polls conducted by Merriman River Group show Courtney leading Peckinpaugh 55% to 41%.

District 3

Rosa DeLauro (D)

Jerry Labriola (R)

Democratic U.S. Rep. DeLauro has served ten terms and sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she chairs the Subcommittee on Agriculture and is a member of the Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Labor, Education and Related Agencies. She is being challenged by Republican Labriola , an attorney and treasurer of the Republican State Committee. DeLauro currently leads Labriola by more than 20 points.

District 4

James Himes (D)

Dan Debicella (R)

Connecticut’s 4^th Congressional District is a statistical dead heat. Democratic U.S. Rep. Himes is seeking his second term and is being challenged by Republican state Sen. Debicella, who has a narrow lead according to the latest polls by Merriman River Group. Political observers say the race will be decided by the city of Bridgeport.

District 5

Christopher Murphy (D)

Sam Caligiuri (R)

Two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Murphy has fallen behind challenger, Republican State Sen. Caligiuri. The latest Merriman River Group poll shows Cailigiuri moving ahead of Murphy.

Maine

Governor

Libby Mitchell (D)

Paul LePage (R)

Elliot Cutler (I)

Shawn Moody (I)

Kevin Scott (I)

The race for governor is tightening. The Maine Center for Public Opinion’s most recent poll shows Republican LePage virtually tied with Democrat Mitchell. Results show LePage at 30%, Mitchell at 29%, Independent candidates Cutler at 11%, Moody at 5% and Scott at 1.5%, with 24% of voters still undecided.

U.S. House of Representatives

District 1

Chellie Pingree (D)

Dean Scontras (R)

A new poll by the Maine Center for Public Opinion shows Republican Scontras, a co-owner of an alternative energy company, is gaining on Democratic U.S. Rep. Pingree, who is seeking her second term. Some polls have Pingree leading by as many as 15 points, while others say her lead has narrowed to 7 points. Pingree serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Rules Committee.

District 2

Michael Michaud (D)

Jason Levesque (R)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Michaud is seeking his sixth term. He is facing strong opposition from businessman and army veteran, Levesque. Recent polls put Michaud at 44% and Levesque at 32%, with 24%undecided.

Massachusetts

Governor

Deval Patrick (D)

Charles Baker (R)

Tim Cahill (I)

Jill Stein (Green Party)

The race for governor of Massachusetts continues to be close. Democratic Gov. Patrick, seeking a second term, is tied with Republican Baker, former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. In a messy political situation, Independent candidate, Cahill, charged Republicans with undermining his campaign (Cahill’s lieutenant governor left the campaign and endorsed Baker) while the Baker campaign countered that Cahill has used state employees in his campaign. Cahill may earn some sympathy from voters but not enough to make a difference. Green Party candidate, Dr. Jill Stein is expected to run a distant fourth.

U.S. House of Representatives

District 1

John Olver (D)

Bill Gunn (R)

Michael Engel (I)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Olver is a solid bet, according to the Cook Political Report. The 10-term congressman is being challenged by Republican Gunn of Ware, who owns a construction company, and Engel, an Independent from Southampton. Olver sits on the House Appropriations Committee.

District 2

Richard Neal (D)

Tom Wesley (R)

Ten-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Neal is expected to be easily re-elected. He is being challenged by Republican Wesley, a businessman and former military pilot. Neal sits on the House Ways and Means Committee.

District 3

Jim McGovern (D)

Marty Lamb (R)

Democratic U.S. Rep. McGovern is seeking his eighth term. He serves as vice chair of the Rules Committee and a member of the House Budget Committee. He is being challenged by Republican Lamb, a real estate attorney from Holliston, and Independent Patrick Barron of Worcester. McGovern is expected to win.

District 4

Barney Frank (D)

Sean Bielat (R)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Frank, seeking a 16^th term, faces his toughest re-election bid in two decades. Frank, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, is being challenged by Republican Bielat, an ex-Marine and businessman from Brookline. Recent polls conducted by Bielat’s campaign, show Frank ahead by 10 points.

District 5

Niki Tsongas (D)

Jon Golnik (R)

Dale Brown (I)

Bob Clark (I)

Two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Tsongas currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee. She is being is challenged by Republican businessman Golnik of Carlisle, and Independent candidates, Brown of Chelmsford and Clark of Berlin.

District 6

John Tierney (D)

Bill Hudak (R)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tierney, is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee and the House Select Intelligence Committee. Tierney is being challenged by Republican Hudak, an attorney from Saugus. The race is expected to tighten given recent events involving the congressman’s wife Patrice Tierney, who has admitted to irregularities in filing tax returns.

District 7

Edward Markey (D)

Gerry Dembrowski (R)

The dean of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, Markey has served 17 terms. He currently chairs the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and the Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Markey is opposed by Republican Dembrowski, a chiropractor from Woburn. Markey is expected to win re-election.

District 8

Michael Capuano (D)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Capuano is running unopposed for a 7^th term. Capuano serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

District 9

Stephen Lynch (D)

Vernon Harrison (R)

Phil Dunkelbarger (I)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Lynch is a member of the House Financial Services Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He is seeking a sixth term and is opposed by Republican Harrison of Braintree who is employed in the IT field, and Independent Phil Dunkelbarger of Westwood. Lynch is expected to win re-election.

District 10

William Keating (D

Jeff Perry (R)

Maryanne Lewis (I)

Jim Sheets (I)

Joe VanNes (Bring Home the Troops)

In the 10^th Congressional District, those vying to fill Democrat Delahunt’s place include Democrat William Keating, a district attorney and former state senator; Republican Jeff Perry, a state representative;  and independent candidates,  Maryanne Lewis, a former state representative, Jim Sheets, former mayor of Quincy, and Joe VanNes (Bring Home the Troops). Keating is seen as the candidate to beat.  While party registration favors a Democrat, Scott Brown won 60%of the vote in this district.

New Hampshire

Governor

John Lynch (D)

John Stephen (R)

New Hampshire’s Democratic Gov. Lynch is running for an unprecedented fourth (two-year) term. Lynch is opposed by Republican Stephen, former head of New Hampshire Health and Human Services Department. Lynch is considered the front-runner.

U.S. Senate

Kelly Ayotte (R)

Paul Hodes (D)

Republican Ayotte, New Hampshire’s Attorney General, will face off with Democratic U.S. Rep. Hodes, who gave up his congressional seat to run for the senate seat vacated by Gregg. The latest Rasmussen poll shows Ayotte at 51% to Hodes’s 44%.

U.S. House of Representatives

District 1

Carol Shea Porter (D)

Frank Guinta (R)

Democratic Rep. Shea Porter is seeking a third term. She is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Education and Labor Committee. She is opposed by Republican Frank Guinta, former mayor of Manchester. The latest poll conducted by the UNH Survey Center for WMUR shows Guinta leading 49% to 39%, reversing a 15-point lead previously held by Shea Porter.

District 2

Ann Kuster (D)

Charlie Bass (R)

This is an open seat, vacated by Democratic U.S. Rep. Hodes. Former U.S. Rep. Bass leads newcomer Annie Kuster, an attorney and community activist, by 5 points. Prior to the primaries, Bass enjoyed an 18-point lead. While Kuster hopes to close the gap, a high turnout by Republican voters could tip the election.

Rhode Island

Governor

Frank Caprio (D)

John Robitaille (R)

Lincoln Chafee (I)

Ken Block (Moderate Party)

Two months ago, Democrat Caprio and Independent Lincoln Chafee were tied. The latest Brown University poll shows Caprio with a widening lead over Chafee. Caprio is now in the lead with 30%, followed by Chafee at 23%, Republican Robitaille at 14% and Moderate Party candidate Block at 1%.

U.S. House of Representatives

District 1

David Cicilline (D)

John Loughlin (R)

Gregory Raposa (I)

In the race for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District once represented by Patrick Kennedy, a Brown University poll shows Democratic mayor of Providence Cicilline in the lead with 39%, Republican state Rep. Loughlin at 21%, Independent Raposa at 6% and 31% undecided.

District 2

James Langevin (D)

Mark Zaccaria (R)

In Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Langevin has a comfortable lead over his opponent, Republican Zaccaria. The latest Brown poll shows Langevin leading with 47% of the vote over Zacarria’s 13%.

Vermont

Governor

Brian Dubie (R)

Peter Shumlin (D)

The latest Rasmussen poll shows Democrat Shumlin leading his Republican opponent, Lt. Governor Brian Dubie by three points. But only 2% of those polled had decided whom they will vote for.

U.S. Senate

Patrick Leahy (D)

Len Britton (R)

Democratic U.S. Sen. Leahy is expected to win handily over Republican businessman Len Britton of Taftsville. Leahy has served in the Senate for 36 years where he chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee.

U.S. House of Representatives

Peter Welch (D)

Paul Beaudry (R)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Welch is seeking re-election for a third term. Welch sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. According to the latest Rasmussen poll, Welch is well ahead of his Republican challenger and Tea Party Leader Paul Beaudry by 30 points.

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Carolyn Morwick is a consultant at NEBHE and former director of the Caucus of New England State Legislatures.