The Role and Relevance of Rankings in Higher Education Policymaking
Published Sep 2009
Describes limitations of accountability systems, including college rankings and benchmarks, and recommends improvements for data collection and use
The issue brief, The Role and Relevance of Rankings in Higher Education Policymaking, provides an overview of national postsecondary assessment efforts and notes the similarities and differences these approaches have taken in comparison to college rankings. The report’s findings are drawn from a review of the literature on college rankings and postsecondary government accountability systems as well as interviews with individuals from federal and state government agencies, trade associations, and other groups.