Education Conservancy
Encyclopedia
The Education Conservancy is an American
education
al non-profit organization headed by director Lloyd Thacker. It describes its goal as being "committed to improving college admission processes for students, colleges and high schools."
was initiated by Thacker. It follows previous movements in the U.S. and Canada
(by schools in the 1990s such as Reed College
, Stanford University
, and Alma College
, as well as a number of universities in Canada in 2006) that have criticized the practice of college rankings.
The Presidents Letter (dated May 10, 2007), which was developed by Thacker, was sent to college and university presidents in the United States
in May 2007. The letter does not ask for a full boycott but rather states:
Instead, it asks presidents not to participate in the "reputational survey" portion of the overall survey (this section accounts for 25% of the total rank and asks college presidents to give their subjective opinion of other colleges). The letter also asks presidents not to use the rankings as a form of publicity:
Twelve college and university presidents originally signed the letter in early May. The letter currently has 61 signatures, though others may be added at a later date.
to offer an alternative set of data as part of the movement challenging commercial college rankings was published as a podcast
in the June 25, 2007, issue of Inside Higher Ed
. The debate was between Thacker and U.S. News editor Brian Kelly. The debate was moderated by Inside Higher Ed reporter Scott Jaschik.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
al non-profit organization headed by director Lloyd Thacker. It describes its goal as being "committed to improving college admission processes for students, colleges and high schools."
Criticism of college rankings
In May 2007, a movement criticizing the practice of college rankingsCriticism of college and university rankings (2007 United States)
Criticism of college and university rankings refers to a 2007 movement which developed among faculty and administrators in American Institutions of Higher Education. It follows previous movements in the U.S...
was initiated by Thacker. It follows previous movements in the U.S. and Canada
Criticism of college and university rankings (North America)
Criticism of college and university rankings refers to movements which developed among faculty and administrators in American Institutions of Higher Education as well as in Canada.-Reed College:...
(by schools in the 1990s such as Reed College
Reed College
Reed College is a private, independent, liberal arts college located in southeast Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1908, Reed is a residential college with a campus located in Portland's Eastmoreland neighborhood, featuring architecture based on the Tudor-Gothic style, and a forested canyon wilderness...
, Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, and Alma College
Alma College
Alma College is a private, liberal arts college located in Alma, Michigan. The enrollment is approximately 1,400 students, and the college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college's 13th President, Dr...
, as well as a number of universities in Canada in 2006) that have criticized the practice of college rankings.
The Presidents Letter (dated May 10, 2007), which was developed by Thacker, was sent to college and university presidents in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in May 2007. The letter does not ask for a full boycott but rather states:
Instead, it asks presidents not to participate in the "reputational survey" portion of the overall survey (this section accounts for 25% of the total rank and asks college presidents to give their subjective opinion of other colleges). The letter also asks presidents not to use the rankings as a form of publicity:
Twelve college and university presidents originally signed the letter in early May. The letter currently has 61 signatures, though others may be added at a later date.
Debate
A debate concerning the decision of the Annapolis GroupAnnapolis Group
The Annapolis Group is an American organization that describes itself as "a nonprofit alliance of the nation’s leading independent liberal arts colleges." It represents approximately 130 liberal arts colleges in the United States...
to offer an alternative set of data as part of the movement challenging commercial college rankings was published as a podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
in the June 25, 2007, issue of Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed is a daily online publication focused on college and university topics, based in Washington, D.C., USA.The publication was founded in 2004 by Kathlene Collins, formerly a business manager for The Chronicle of Higher Education, and two former top editors of The Chronicle, Scott...
. The debate was between Thacker and U.S. News editor Brian Kelly. The debate was moderated by Inside Higher Ed reporter Scott Jaschik.
External links
- Official Website
- The Rankings Rebel - BusinessWeekBusinessWeekBloomberg Businessweek, commonly and formerly known as BusinessWeek, is a weekly business magazine published by Bloomberg L.P. It is currently headquartered in New York City.- History :...
- It Took Awhile, But Some Presidents Are Now Listening to Pleas for Admissions Reforms - Chronicle of Higher Education
- Another way in:Ex-counselor working toward less-stressful college admissions - Boston Globe
- Searchable Database of Every U.S. College