Issues in credit rating for colleges and universities are discussed, along with the information needed by Standard and Poor's to rate the institutions' bond issue. (MSE)

A common type of variable-rate financing has suddenly increased the risk of bankruptcy for an unknown number of colleges, said two experts at credit-rating agencies. The threat affects mostly less-wealthy colleges that have used variable-rate bonds either to get a better price when borrowing or because they lacked bond ratings and had little other…

Rating scale analysis techniques provide researchers with practical tools for examining the degree to which ordinal rating scales (e.g., Likert-type scales or performance assessment rating scales) function in psychometrically useful ways. When rating scales function as expected, researchers can interpret ratings in the intended direction (i.e.,…

A credit-rating tool for colleges seeking bond financing is described, using The Colorado College experience as a case study. The process discussed gives college chief financial officers a better understanding of how the bond rating agencies evaluate institutions' credit-worthiness. Substantial data charts and graphs are use for illustration. (MSE)

In 2006, TG estimated that 47,000 bachelor's degrees would be lost in Texas due to financial barriers experienced by college-qualified high school graduates from the class of 2004. With more current data, TG now estimates that the number will be 52,800. "Digging Deeper" explores how students who enroll in college continue to experience…

An executive of Moody's Investors Service explains what past experience has taught the company about municipal analysis, how a bond issue is assigned a credit rating, and what issuers can do to obtain the best rating. (MLF)

"First year experience courses for students in developmental education" are designed to ease the transition to college by providing academic and social development supports. Although course content and focus may vary, most are designed to introduce students to campus resources, provide training in time management and study skills, and…

Developmental summer bridge programs are designed to reduce the need for developmental education in college by providing students with accelerated instruction in areas where additional knowledge and skills are needed to help them succeed in higher education. The WWC identified one study of developmental summer bridge programs that meets WWC…

Describes the bond-rating process; suggests several management practices school districts can adopt to improve their bond ratings: Adopt a fund balance, initiate debt-affordability and debt-amortization policies, institute pay-as-you-go funding to reduce dependency on debt, develop a multiyear plan, and communicate periodically with credit-rating…

The 15 articles in this volume comprise the refereed proceedings of the 2009 ATLAANZ (Association of Tertiary Learning Advisors Aotearoa/New Zealand) conference. The first three chapters focus on collaborative work. In Chapter 1, Ann Pocock shares her experiences of working with other university support services. In Chapter 2, Berni Cooper and…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school economics students, this pamphlet explains how to resolve a billing dispute in a way that protects the customer's credit rating and legal rights. The pamphlet focuses on specific requirements of the Fair Credit Billing law and presents the following: (1) six legal criteria…

An informal survey of some New England colleges indicates that, in response to problems in the region's banking industry, school financial officers are monitoring their banks' credit ratings and managing investments more carefully. Consultants and investment advisors are also reporting increased anxiety among college officers and trustees around…

This monograph provides an introduction to the procedures of bonding. Although it was prepared for school systems within the State of New York, the information which it contains is of general applicability. The importance of obtaining the services of a national bonding attorney and a financial consultant is discussed. The guide outlines the…

For many colleges, universities, and teaching hospitals, the need to expand, renovate, or replace aging structures and equipment is crucial. Institutions need not be large and well known to tap nationwide capital pools. By using municipal bond insurance when issuing tax-exempt bonds for financing, they improve their credit rating and increase…

Provides an overview of pre-university education in the United Kingdom and discusses how it influences the types of degree programs offered within universities in the United Kingdom. Highlights the Scottish system, university admissions, undergraduate degrees, modules and credit rating, "sandwich degrees," assessment, quality control and…