National report flunks La. higher ed

• By JORDAN BLUM
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Dec 3, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Louisiana ranks roughly 49th out of all the states in a new national report on higher education released today.

Louisiana received a bevy of mostly low grades in categories ranging from college preparation in high school to college affordability and graduation rates.

Only Nevada ranked clearly below Louisiana, with Alaska basically on par with Louisiana when averaging out all the letter grades.

The biennial report, “Measuring Up 2008: The National Report Card on Higher Education,” is sponsored by the non-profit, California-based National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

Louisiana’s 2008 grades are:

Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Sally Clausen said the grades are “embarrassing,” although she said there are signs of improvement to be read between the lines.

“We’re not at a point where we have anything to brag about,” Clausen said. “But we think we’re making some progress in some areas.

“But we’re still failing, because it’s still not enough,” she said.

In 2006, the state got two “Fs,” a “D-plus” and two “C-minuses,” essentially the same breakdown as four years ago. Louisiana in 2006 was one of just two states in the nation that got an “F” in how it prepares students for college or post-high school training.

In 2004, the state’s report card was two “Fs,” one “D-plus” and two “Cs.”

Louisiana is not jumping in the rankings, Clausen said, because other states also are making progress, so Louisiana’s gains are essentially nullified in the grades.

National Center President Pat Callan said Louisiana is making gains, although some progress was hurt by Hurricane Katrina.