The Lumina Foundation for Education, a private, independent foundation, recently released a report regarding the use of student unit record databases, or state records that contain information from college and university registrars on student enrollment. While plans to create a national SUR database have generated concerns over student privacy issues, the study highlights the possible benefits of doing so.
Every SUR reports the number of credits a student has enrolled in and completed; some records also have a subset containing further details from a student's transcript, said Peter Ewell, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems vice president and co-author of the report.
According to the NCHEMS Web site, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia established the Commonwealth's SUR database in 1992 with the purpose of tracking students. Today it is used to understand student behavior and success.
SCHEV spokeswoman Kathleen Kincheloe said SURs are useful in analyzing graduation rates and tracking financial aid, adding that the University is included in the Commonwealth's SUR reports.
According to the report, 40 states have operating SUR databases. These 40 SUR databases cover 81 percent of the nation's higher education enrollment. The 10 states that do not have SUR databases are considered to be "fairly small," with the exception of Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Each of the 40 states with databases keeps SURs for public institutions. Four states also include information on all independent and non-profit colleges. The Commonwealth and two other states are about to join these four with full participation, according to the report.
The Lumina Foundation for Education first published a report tracking the use of SURs in April 2003. Databases were tracked again this year to see if there have been any changes.
"We wanted to make sure that it was progressing," Ewell said. According to Ewell, the report was issued to "fill a big data hole" that could be addressed by using information within pre-existing state databases.
This year, the study focused on the advantages of linking the databases, according to the report.
"The benefit is you can create national statistics without having to create a federal database," Ewell said, adding that while there is no technical reason why it cannot be done, there are political reasons.
According to Ewell, a major concern surrounding the creation a national database is the privacy of records.
"Any information we have on our students can really help us plan ahead for future needs in the Commonwealth," Kincheloe said. "I can say that any decision to collect data on students would need to balance student privacy rights and safety and security issues with the need for that information"
Read More
Ryan and Sheridan provide full accounts of Ryan’s resignation. They differ significantly
By Cecilia Mould and Ford McCracken | 12 hours ago“I concur fully with President Ryan’s recollection of events,” former Board Rector Robert Hardie said.
Research grant gaps, flight cancellations among costs of 43-day government shutdown
By Grace Little | YesterdayAreas that felt the deficits include federally-funded research, telemedicine services offered through U.Va. Health and canceled flights for holiday travel.
Student Council discusses potential student detoxification center, lockdown aftermath
By Jaylynn Perez | YesterdayStudent Council met Tuesday to discuss a potential proposal for a student detoxification center on Grounds following growing concerns about student safety and medical amnesty policies.
