short paper
Submit a short paper that analyzes the landscape of higher education. Conduct research on current events in higher education from at least two publications on higher education (e.g., The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, EdTech Magazine, and Today’s Campus) and select one political, economic, or societal issue currently impacting higher education. Summarize your findings and reflect on the issue’s importance.
****please follow rubric verbatim****
This short paper should follow these formatting guidelines: 2–4 pages in length with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations.
HEA 610 Module Two Short Paper Rubric
Overview: Higher education is a very complex segment of our society that must consider the influences of economic, political, and societal forces. Some would
argue that an educated citizenry is the cornerstone of a democratic society, which is what our country’s roots were founded on. In 1862, the Morrill Act ensured
that every state would have an institution of higher education on public lands that would be eligible for federal support (from Handbook of Strategic Enrollment
Management, 2015). Since then, access to higher education has resulted in huge economic benefits, provided a skilled workforce, and has been the gateway to
success for generations. However, all of this is not without cost. Even with robust student financial support from the government and private entities, higher
education faces substantial financial challenges at the state and local level, at a time when advanced training and education are most needed. New demands for
smaller and leaner governmental operations have found their way to college campuses, with increased requirements for accountability and transparency. While
there is no movement to eliminate higher education, there are forces and tensions that pull at the goals of access, affordability, and retention.
Prompt: Submit a short paper analyzing the landscape of higher education. Conduct research on current events in higher education from at least two
publications on higher education (e.g., The Chronicle of Higher Education, Higher Ed, Inside Higher Ed, Ed Tech Magazine, Today’s Campus, etc.) and select one
political, economic, or societal issue currently impacting higher education. Summarize your findings and reflect on the issue’s importance.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Current Issue. Why is this issue part of the national conversation on higher education? Who are the stakeholders? Summarize the political, economic,
or societal issue currently impacting higher education. How does this issue address access, affordability, or retention? Reflect on the issue’s
importance to higher education, with an emphasis on the stakeholders and how this issue affects access, affordability, or retention.
II. Impact on Institution. How does this issue impact your institution? Explain how this issue impacts your institution, with special consideration of the
resources, efforts, and programs that may be required to support or ensure compliance.
III. Implication for the Future. What are the implications of this issue on the future of higher education? Describe how this issue has implications across
the spectrum of higher education. How do you see higher education being changed by this issue in 10 or 20 years?
Guidelines for Submission: This short paper should follow these formatting guidelines: 2–4 pages in length with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman
font, one-inch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations.
Rubric
Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Current Issue Provides an in-depth analysis of a
current issue and cites examples and
resources to support analysis
Identifies a current issue but analysis is
minimal
Does not identify a current issue
15
Impact on Institution Explains the impact the issue has on
institution and provides evidence to
support explanation
Explains the impact on institution but
the explanation is minimal or not
supported
Does not explain the impact on
institution
15
Implications for the Future Describes the implications the issue has
for the future and provides evidence to
support description
Describes the implications the issue has
for the future but does not provide
support or description is minimal
Does not describe the implications for
the future
15
Critical Thinking Draws logical conclusions that are
justified with evidence
Draws logical conclusions, but does not
defend with evidence
Does not draw logical conclusions
20
Research Incorporates scholarly resources that
effectively reflect depth and breadth of
research
Incorporates very few scholarly
resources that reflect depth and breadth
of research
Does not incorporate scholarly
resources that reflect depth and breadth
of research
15
Articulation of Response Submission has no major errors related
to citations, grammar, spelling, or syntax
Submission has major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, or syntax
that negatively impact readability and
articulation of main ideas
Submission has critical errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, or syntax
that prevent understanding of ideas
20
Earned Total 100%